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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 1, 2002 The Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word: Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 Psalm 50:16-23 Matthew 8:18-22 A reflection on today's Scripture. . . . "Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead." (Matthew 8: 22) Nothing is more precious to us than our lives and the lives of those whom we love. Today we are blessed with many medical and scientific means of prolonging and improving our quality of life, but there is a "down side" to this. Many have become obsessed with their bodies, beautifying and preserving them, often by extreme measures. How far more blessed we would be if we expended as much time and energy in the care of what is central to our very beings--our immortal souls. We may live to 100 plus in good-looking bodies, but this shell we temporarily occupy is destined to molder in the grave. Today's readings serve to refocus our minds and hearts on those things that are imperishable, eternal. Amos tells the Israelites that God is mindful of their sins and that He remains their only hope for salvation. Psalm 50 echoes Amos' words but goes one step further by proclaiming that God will show salvation only to those who pursue what is right, good and just... Jesus carries these truths to their ultimate degree, informing His "would be" followers that they are to seek God and His eternal life by placing Him above all else, even personal security and family; God will look after their loved ones. We fulfill our humanity by making Him our primary concern because we belong to Him, and it is through us that He can regain possession of a world that has given itself over to Satan. This He does to the degree that He possesses individual souls; for it is through those living in His truth and love that others will be drawn to Him. Father God, by grace raise us to a new life in Your Son, that we may make You known by bearing Your peace, truth and love into the world. Amen. YOU CAN HELP to evangelize the Word of God: Please recommend our website to your friends and Catholic webmasters. The meditations are in English & Spanish at http://www.borg.com/~joachim/DailyMeds.html (case sensitive). ARCHIVED Meditations: http://www.abcsoffaith.com/quiet/quietplace.html and at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] For ALL communications, including subscribe/unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (c)2002 The Way, The Truth, The Life. Permission granted to make reprints of the meditations or to post on any web page, except for profit. Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms (c)1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner. 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: Monday, July 1, 2002
