The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, September 2, 2001
The Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 3:17-18,20,28-29
Psalm 68:4-7,10-11
Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24a
Luke 14:1,7-14
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
"...and he who humbles himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:11 (Douay)
Humility is the most basic requirement for salvation. Without it, we
cannot truly love but instead remain smug, self-satisfied, superior
and sufficient unto ourselves. To be "saved" we must first see our
imperfections, incompleteness, our need for something beyond
possessions that bring worldly comfort, status, security.
We are to realize that all we have has been given us, our
intelligence, skills, talents, all that enables us to become
"successes" in the world's eyes. But if one considers life's
instabilities, unpredictabilities, the fact that all we hold dear
could be swept away in an instant through accident, illness, or human
wickedness, on whom would we then rely?
>From those who have been given much, more will be expected. If God
blessed us with gifts to "make something of ourselves" (as the world
puts it), we mustn't grasp these as rewards for our worthiness or
hard work, but as a challenge to our God-created humanity. And our
greatest challenge is learning to humbly love others and ourselves as
He loves us. We are all His children; none are greater nor lesser in
His eyes. He sees not our accomplishments but judges us by how
closely we approximate the self-giving love of His Son Jesus Christ.
Humility acknowledges the SOURCE of all. It is the loving humility
with which we receive and use our blessings and transcend our
misfortunes that seals our fate. Life is the practice-field that
fits us to be received by Him Who, in becoming a man, humbled Himself
and demonstrated God's purest Love.
Lord God,
fill our minds and hearts with what You value most,
that we may be made fit to make You known in this world.
Amen.
Marie L. Bocko ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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