The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 22, 2001
The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 18:1-10a
Psalm 15:2-5
Colossians 1:24-28
Luke 10:38-42
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
"Mary has chosen the better part..." (Luke 10:42)
Today's Gospel speaks loudly to modern believers who mistakenly think
they best serve God through grandiose projects and activities. Their
error is separating the "contemplative" (deeply prayerful) way from
the active way, whereas God intended these to complement one another.
The contemplative soul doesn't simply sit at Christ's feet meditating
on His words of loving wisdom; for these, prayer is an aid to their
practicing true charity toward their neighbor. They know they can
neither learn to love genuinely nor discern God's will accurately
except through prayer and the resultant intimacy with Him.
Mary of the Gospel chose the "better part" because she gave Christ
the greater honor of listening to Him before rushing about to serve
Him in keeping with her own will rather than His. Doing works without
first listening to Jesus renders our actions "sterile." We may feed,
clothe, shelter and provide medical help for the needy, but if the
Spirit of God is not impelling our actions, they will fail to impart
Christ's life to the recipients.
Modern, task-oriented Christians form committees, pray lip-service
rather than heart-service to God, formulate impressive plans and rush
headlong into completing them. Having relied solely on their own
cleverness and energies, they, exhausted but gratified, sit back to
praise one another instead of God.
They serve God best, who know and love Him best.
Good Father,
Deepen our prayer,
that Your gift of life may flourish in us
so we may generously share it
with your fallen children. Amen
Marie L. Bocko ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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