The Catholic Calendar for Friday, November 3, 2006
Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Martin de Porres, religious

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Philippians 1:1-11
Psalm 111:1-6
Luke 14:1-6

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

"Who among you if your son or ox falls into a cistern would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?" (Luke 14:6)

St. Paul's letter to the Philippians prompts our meditating on the purpose of prayer and helps shed light on today's Gospel. He begins with a prayer for Christ's people to grow in God's love so they may live righteously and harmoniously. Growth in God's love is mainly accomplished by prayer, a sincere opening of our empty hearts to Him who gives us the ability through sanctifying grace to love as He loves, purely, selflessly and unconditionally. Effective prayer does not depend on words; it stems from a sincere motivation to deeply know and love God and consequently to make Him known to the world by how we live.

Christ's persecution and death were caused by Israel's religious elite who dressed the part, outwardly, kept the letter of the law, followed the prescribed rituals, but were devoid of God's love. Had they known the Father, they would have recognized His Son and rejoiced in His saving words. Instead they cared more about keeping their comfortable positions and authority than they did promoting their people's spiritual good. One example of their empty and loveless sabbath rules was the one broken by Christ in today's Gospel when He saved a man in heart failure from drowning in his own bodily fluids.

Times have changed vastly, but man's heart has not. Today many slothful Christians remain ignorant of their Faith's most basic tenets and prefer listening to unspiritual but purportedly "religious" leaders whose mouths are filled with grandiose words but whose hearts are empty of the love and truth of God. They, along with our mass media, gain popularity by appealing to human pride and selfishness. Yet hope lives on, for Christ never abandons His people, nor can the truly faithful ever abandon Him.

Blessed Lord, may our lives be like rivers overflowing with Your life-giving Spirit of love and truth, that Your constant presence in this world will draw others to You. Amen

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