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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, December 29, 2001 The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas St. Thomas Becket Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word: 1 John 2:3-11 Psalm 96:1-3,5-6 Luke 2:22-35 A Reflection on Today's Scripture: On this fifth day in the Octave of Christmas, we continue to be treated to the joyous revelation that salvation is upon the land. I mean, we should be literally and figuratively exploding with joy over this totally incredible revelation from God as He offers forgiveness of our sins, if only we will accept His love, reform our lives and turn away from the darkness of sin -- to walk in the light of God's grace. If there is just a tad bit of hesitation on anyone's part -- like, can we really trust this man Jesus who claimed so much, and of whom it is said, cured the sick and fed a crowd of thousands from merely a few loaves of bread, a few fish, and just plain thin air? Supposing the disbeliever were to examine and consider a thousand or more years of prophecy that this redeemer would arrive at a certain time and be born of a certain family tree? And what if it all came true? Today, we learn of a certain holy man named Simeon who clinched the story of the prophets with his proclamation: Nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine. (Now, Lord, you can dismiss your servant) All of these events are too compelling to be mere coincidence. And the beat goes on and on. For those who will avail themselves of the spark of faith, who will willingly open themselves to God's grace -- to these souls who persevere, salvation is assured. But it takes a lifetime of effort and commitment. So, here we are in the literal catbird's seat: we see the darkness of evil in the world today, and we see the flame of salvation flickering in the depths of those who love God with all their hearts. Let us renew our commitment to follow Jesus and all He taught. - Joachim, ocds YOU CAN HELP to evangelize the Word of God: Please recommend our website to your friends and Catholic webmasters. The Daily Meditations appear online in English & Spanish at: http://homepage.mac.com/ojoachim3/DailyMeds (please note: "/DailyMeds" is case-sensitive) ARCHIVED Meditations: http://www.abcsoffaith.com/quiet/quietplace.html and at: http://www.mail-archive.com/dailymed%40saturn.nibcomp.com ALL communications, including subscribe/unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (c)2001 The Way, The Truth, The Life. Permission granted to make reprints of the meditations or to post on any web page, except for profit. All scripture quotes are from the Douay-Rheims edition of the Catholic Bible. Full text from the New American Bible: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm Lives of the Saints: http://www.christdesert.org/public_texts/martyrology/ |
Title: Meditation: Saturday, December 29, 2001
