The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, February 11, 2001
The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 17:5-8
Psalm 1:1-4,6
1 Corinthians 15:12,16-20
Luke 6:17,20-26
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
"Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!" (Luke 6: 23)
Jesus' words in Luke's Gospel, "The Sermon on the Plain" parallel
those in Matthew 5 called "Sermon on the Mount" with one exception
explained below. In today's reading our Lord speaks literally,
stating that the poor, the hungry, the sorrowing and those persecuted
for their belief in Him, though ignored or despised by the world,
will be consoled by God, welcomed into His kingdom. In contrast,
those gifted with earthly goods, who greedily revel in their plenty
without sharing their blessings with others, will have much to fear.
In Matthew's Gospel, Christ, using many of the same words as in
Luke's, expands on this theme by describing those spiritual
attributes that result from our acceptance of God's love and grace,
that lead all people, rich or poor, into God's kingdom. Jesus teaches
that this kingdom is open to the humble: those realizing all their
possessions are gifts from God to be shared; those mourning their
sins and truly repenting of them; those of pure heart who love God
genuinely, for His sake alone; those totally faithful to His Word
despite the world's hatred of them for His sake.
Paul's first letter to the Corinthians affirms our greatest hope, the
victory over death won for us by Christ. The faithful will one day be
resurrected from the dead in new "spiritual" bodies to abide forever
with Christ in the new Jerusalem.
Lord,
You are the Word Who gives us life.
Gentle our hearts to receive You,
that others may, through us,
profit in Your abundant life. Amen.
- Marie L. Bocko, ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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