The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, October 28, 2001
The Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 35:12-14,16-18
Psalm 34:2-3,17-19,23
2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18
Luke 18:9-14
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled,
and he who humbles himself shall be exalted. (see Luke 18:14)
Today's Gospel destroys the notion that we can earn salvation, eternal
life with God, by following a strict regimen of "good works." Our Lord
who looks within the depths of human hearts, sees such behavior as a
means of exalting "self" as paragons of piety. He does not want us to
make ourselves into specimens for display, nor does God award points or
merit badges for good behavior. Goodness is what He expects from us, and
this should flow naturally and freely from hearts filled with His love.
How do we come to this love of God?
First, we must recognize we are not our own but belong to Him who
created us. Second, we are to see our total dependence on Him, because
for all we are, have and do, He has given us. Third, we should realize
our unhealthy fixation on "self" -- our perversity of mind and heart
(sin) that requires healing so that we may live in peace and order. The
sum of these three realizations is a humility that seeks God's help,
accepts following Jesus, His living Word Who has saved us from
ourselves. When He hears the pleas of the lowly, He bends down to lift
us up.
But this is only the beginning of our new life in Christ. To participate
fully in His holiness, we must progressively die to our sinful, selfish
ways, yield ourselves completely to His Holy Spirit. He then guides us
to all truth, teaches us to love unconditionally and ultimately unites
us to God eternally.
Compassionate Lord,
create in us loving hearts to always carry out Your will.
May we then share with others Your very life. Amen.
- Marie L. Bocko, ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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