The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, February 16, 2006
Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
James 2:1-9
Psalm 34:2-7
Mark 8:27-33

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

We have an interesting combination of readings today, however they really do complement each other.

In the First Reading we’re reminded that we’re not to show partiality towards one group of individuals over another. The variable cited is wealth. We’re not to favor the rich over the poor; but the reading does not define poverty. We all know that a person can have all kinds of material wealth and in fact be poor spiritually or vice versa. We cannot tell that by looking at a person, nor are we to judge. Thus, if we’re to be effective in the vineyard as disciples and stewards of God's gifts, we’ll treat everyone the same. God can’t work through us if we’re setting up barriers in relating to certain individuals. That person might be the very one God wants us to reach!

In the Gospel for today, we have the famous question that Christ asks of Peter: "And who do you say that I am?" When we consider this question against the First Reading, we’re reminded of Christ asking “When did you see me hungry, and thirsty and in prison?” The point is that Christ urges us to look for Him in everyone. When we answer Christ’s ‘Who do you say that I am’ we can answer that we saw Christ in everyone we encountered that day. That is a challenge and a great goal!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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