The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, June 8, 2006
Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Psalm 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14
Mark 12:28-34

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Sometimes we can make the practice of our religion too complicated. We get bogged down with rules and rituals and miss the main points. This was true to a greater degree in the time of Christ, and so the question put to Him was, in a way, a "trick" question. Christ was asked, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" (see Mark 12:28)

The response of Christ set the goal for Christians for all time. He responded: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
(Mark 12:30-31)

These two commandments are familiar to most practicing Christians, and are used at least as a guideline. The point we might pick up on today is that of "loving with all our strength," the last part of the first commandment.

In the first reading we hear St. Paul suffering "Even to the point of chains" in his effort to spread the Good News. In that reading we also hear "Be EAGER" to present yourself as acceptable to God.
(2 Timothy 2:15)

In conclusion today, we might ask ourselves the question, "How much energy do I put into the practice of my faith? Am I EAGER to present myself as acceptable to God?"

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