The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, October 14, 2001
The Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Kings 5:14-17
Psalm 98:1-4 2
Timothy 3:8-13
Luke 17:11-19
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
Today's readings again emphasize faith's importance; the "bottom line"
is that faith transforms lives, leads to salvation.
Naaman, a foreigner and commander of the Aramean army, seeking a cure
for his leprosy, was told by Elisha to bathe seven times in the River
Jordan. But he hesitated, questioned why another river would not have
the same healing effect. Finally, Naaman went forth in faith to obey and
was immediately cleansed. Yet his greater blessing was the recognition
that his healing was the work of the one true God of Israel whom he
henceforth resolved to worship.
St. Paul's letter encourages Timothy, a young, inexperienced preacher,
to be bold in his faith, trust in God's goodness and His promises
revealed in Christ. He must never let fear hinder his spreading God's
word leading humanity to salvation and eternal glory. Though he, Paul,
is now imprisoned in chains for having spread the Gospel of Christ, the
"good news" must never be chained but, in unwavering faith, proclaimed
despite possible consequences.
Jesus' healing of the ten lepers suggests that God's merciful love goes
beyond physical healings. He desires to mend our fallen souls, renew our
hearts and minds, cause us to see we are the beloved children of our
divine Father who is anxious to give us, through our faith, a blessed
new life in Christ. Sadly, only one of the ten who were healed, (a
Samaritan foreigner despised by the Jews) recognized he had been touched
by God's love and, in faith, returned to pay Him homage.
Merciful Father,
unite us in Your Spirit and strengthen our faith and courage,
that we may labor to bring forth much fruit from Your vineyard.
Amen.
- Marie L. Bocko, ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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