The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, November 11, 2001
The Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-14
Psalm 17:1,5-6,8,15
2 Thessalonians 2:16--3:5
Like 20:27-38
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
The God of the living . . . (see Lk 20:38)
Nothing is more destructive to love as the idea that this earthly life
is the full extent of human existence. It reduces us to soulless animals
driven by "survival of the fittest" which usually means the rich and
powerful, those who make life a contest amassing the greatest number of
achievements and possessions, will prevail.
Throughout history this scenario has been played out in social,
economic, political and religious spheres. Most recently the scientific
community has assumed God's role by proposing the creation of "perfect"
humans, free of illnesses and imperfections of mind and body, quite
ignoring the source of even greater problems--our fallen spiritual
state. For the good of humanity they deem it necessary to prey on the
unborn as raw material for their experiments. It matters not to them how
many more helpless humans will be denied life nor how many "mistakes"
will have to destroyed in addition to those of the 40+ million aborted
babies already used and disposed of as garbage.
How does this relate to today's readings? 2 Maccabees contrasts Godly,
obedient people ready to die for their faith, with the cruel,
destructive nature of the Godless king arbitrarily wielding power. The
Sadducees, devoid of true faith, absurdly tried to destroy Christ's
credibility and His message of hope for a new, holy and eternal life in
God.
Still, we can rejoice; for this world, rife with moral decay, grown cold
in its love, is passing away. Christ won the victory for us on His
cross. We must follow in His steps.
Almighty Father, strong in justice and mercy, help this world become aware
of its danger in contrast with Your loving design founded on truth and love.
Amen.
- Marie L. Bocko, ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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