The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, August 26, 2001
The Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 66:18-21
Psalm 117:1-2
Hebrews 12:5-7,11-13
Luke 13:22-30
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
"Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity." - Luke 13:27 (Douay)
Today many theologians and priests excessively emphasize God's love,
creating the impression that even deliberate, repeated and unrepented
sin will not exclude anyone from God's kingdom. Sin is considered an
outdated concept overridden by God's mercy and compassion.
Consequently, we are free to do our will, accountable to no one but
ourselves. Truth, they claim, is not absolute; it is subjective. This
means all views are equally valid; simply choose one that suits you.
If what they suggest is so, then God is a sadist who unnecessarily
sacrificed His Son that we might be forgiven of our non-existent
sins. In brief, they've made a mockery of God's love and truth meant
to underlie the morally ordered society God wills.
This generation's practices attest to its having wandered far from
God's love. Genuine love is not the random, perverse expressions of
sexuality promoted by the media and powerful, special-interest
groups. Nor does love reduce humans to a mere commodity, to be
manufactured, used and discarded under the guise of helping mankind.
Love does not scoff at the Commandments which outline those areas of
human existence that are inviolable.
Love means faithfulness, commitment, accountability, generosity and a
deep reverence for God and one another. Because Love created us, only
Love can sustain us as fully-human beings. If today you hear His
(Love's) voice, harden not your hearts.
Blessed Redeemer,
grant us the grace to be united to you in mind and heart,
that the peace of your kingdom may abide in this world
as it does in the next.
Amen.
Marie L. Bocko ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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