The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 14, 2006
The Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hosea 14:2-10
Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17
Matthew 10:16-23

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves." (Matthew 10:16)

Our nation rightly covets its freedoms cited in the Constitution, a document written by our founders who assumed it would always be interpreted and applied by intelligent people possessing a strong moral fiber. Our forefathers did not expect that human pride and selfishness would eventually twist its tenets to suit the philosophy and convenience of partisan interests. Consequently, recent judicial decisions defy wisdom, for in explicating
our "rights," they have departed widely from traditional morality and ethics. Indeed, they have tended to eliminate from the public's thinking, any thought that smacks of religious beliefs by frightening people with the lie that we are placing ourselves in danger of establishing a national religion that would infringe on our freedom of beliefs, speech and action.

Deliberately, these "freedom fighters" mask the fact that the laws of our Western world were originally based on Judeo-Christian morality and ethics because they were recognized as transcending "religion" and actually being universal nonsectarian truths inherent in the law of love which is our only path to establishing a just, peaceful and life-giving world. Today, we are witnessing, especially in middle and far Eastern nations, the effects of hatred and lies rather than love and truth. Our nation need not think it is exempt from a similar folly.

Jesus warns His disciples of the very real dangers they will face as they reveal the need for humanity to repent of its sins, reform their lives and learn to practice the most basic law essential to keeping peace among all peoples--love--shown by truth, mercy, justice forgiveness, kindness, gentleness, compassion and generosity. Those who through fear remain silent in the face of present day depravity are as guilty as its perpetrators.

Just and loving Father,
imbue Your children with the courage to live in and speak the truth,
that we may all share in the blessed life You have ordained for us.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)