The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, August 5, 2001
The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ecclesiastes 1:2;2:21-23
Psalm 90:3-6,12-14,17
Colossians 3;1-5,9-11
Luke 12:13-21
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
On the Different Riches . . .
What matters to us? According to recent Gospel readings, for many the
answer would be, "ourselves:" that is, those of us obsessed with
attaining what is important in the world's eyes; satisfying personal
desires; taking much leisure; avoiding inconveniences; holding
tightly to time, money and acquisitions. In brief, allowing "self"
rather than God to reign supreme in human hearts.
Modern thinkers claim that God and His proponents are harsh,
unloving, intent on spoiling fun and curtailing freedoms; these they
ignore, revile and discard as hopelessly old-fashioned, superstitious
and fanatical. Having so declared that they are accountable to no one
but themselves, that God is dead or non-existent, their consciences
die and they now feel free to use and abuse one another with
impunity.
What matters most to God? We humans matter most to Him. His burning
desire is to rescue us from our self-made hell: to offer us
salvation; give us a new, eternal life; re-create us in His holy
image; adopt us as brothers and sisters of Christ, His firstborn.
We tap into this new life by opening ourselves to the eternal,
unremitting outpouring of God's love which surrounds us and by
allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse us, empty us of all selfish,
self-seeking, greedy ways. Once transformed in His love, (a
considerable work requiring time and effort) we are united to God and
become truly free to live in holiness, peace, justice and truth here
and in eternity.
O Blessed One, You called us to Yourself.
Now through Your Spirit, heal, make whole our hearts and minds,
that we may bring Your new life into this world. Amen.
Marie L. Bocko ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
(c)2001 The Way, The Truth, The Life. Permission granted to make reprints
of the meditations or to post on any web page, except for profit.
You can help to evangelize the Word of God: Recommend to your friends
the Daily Meditations online at: http://homepage.mac.com/ojoachim2
Archived Meditations at: www.abcsoffaith.com/quiet/quietplace.html
Also at: http://www.mail-archive.com/dailymed%40saturn.nibcomp.com
For all communications, including subscribe/unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
