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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 8, 2002 The Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word: Hosea 2:16,17b-18,21-22 Psalm 145:2-9 Matthew 9:18-26 A reflection on today's Scripture. . . . Come, lay your hand on her and she will live. (Matthew 9:18) Today's readings affirm the truth written by the British poet Alexander Pope, "To err is human; to forgive, divine." The prophet Hosea compares God's relationship with His people to marriage, a sacred union, a steadfast commitment to His chosen despite her sins and imperfections. Psalm 145 demonstrates this espousal with His chosen, recalling God's wondrous deeds, His patience, benevolence and forgiveness despite their many infidelities. Jesus perfectly reflects these same qualities in today's Gospel. The hemorrhaging woman, in despair after many unsuccessful treatments, dared to touch the hem of Christ's robe in hopes of drawing upon His healing power. Knowing that her condition, according to the law, rendered her "unclean," Jesus could have berated her, banished her from His Presence, subjected her to punishment. Instead, His compassionate love prevailed over mere human considerations and said, "Courage, daughter. Your faith has saved you." In contrast, the Temple hierarchy despised Jesus, saw Him as an unGodly renegade, a breaker of the Law. Yet, as a last resort a Scribe asked Him to heal his dying child; and had Jesus been led by only human instincts, He might have felt justified in refusing him help. But God's love never ceases, even toward those who have sworn themselves His enemies. Christ raising this child from the dead should have brought joy to the temple officials, for only God Himself has power over life and death; and here, surely, was their awaited Messiah. However, because He posed a threat to their religious authority, they ironically plotted to take the life of the One who had been sent to give them new life. Compassionate Lord, Your Son's death brought us new life. Open our eyes to the need for Your healing touch; raise us into the light of Your truth and love. Amen - Marie L. Bocko, ocds 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 8, 2002
