theJourney(beginning)

20030419

 

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, April 19, 2003
Holy Saturday
Vigil During the Night of Easter

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 14:15--15:1
Romans 6:3-11
Psalm 118:1-2,16-17,22-23
Mark 16:1-7

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"The stone which the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22)

As we enter into the darkened church and hear the deacon carrying the lighted Easter candle lit from the new fire, the chant "Christ our Light" and the response "Thanks be to God" echo throughout the church. It is then that we hear the deacon sing the wonderful ancient Easter Vigil proclamation: The Exsultet.

I muse, how will the mystery of the Cross speak to me tonight? Can I imagine if Jesus didn't respond to His Father's Will, what my life would be like? I think of all the world's crucified people, the sick, the dying, the homeless, the incarcerated, the poor. Like Christ, I must feel the world's pain; my heart breaks, but this is the beginning of grace, wisdom and peace. I know that I can't love my neighbor and my enemy as Jesus did, if I don't first enter into their pain as Jesus did.

The joy that I will see on the faces of the "new Christians" who have been received into the Church tonight, will radiate within me. So, I too, will welcome the risen Lord Jesus into my own heart.

Thank you Father, for sending your son Jesus for us all.
Holy Spirit, teach us how to walk in this newness of life.

- Deacon Bill Powers (uujpow@aol.com)

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:33 AM

20030418

 

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, April 18, 2003
Celebration of the Lord's Passion

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Psalm 31:2,6,12-13,15-17,25
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
John 18:1--19:42

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today is Good Friday and there is no Mass on this solemn and holy day. Yet, Holy Scripture from the "Celebration of the Lord's Passion" on this Friday is replete with the account of Jesus' Passion and Death.

What image, what memory, what recorded words will serve to unite us with Jesus on this sorrowful day?

This year, Jesus' words from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23 Verse 34 are what we will consider. At the crucifixion Jesus said something which salvages my often discouraged and sadden spirit. Too often I haven't utilized the grace given me. Too often I have failed to imitate He whom I love, preferring instead to go and do things my own way.

Coming to my senses and filled with sorrow I come, too late, it seems with the reality of my own sinfulness - the ways in which I have crucified the Beloved Son of God. Were it not for God's grace I might be like Judas and despair beyond all hope. But then there comes to mind sacred and holy words - words that are meant to heal, words that are meant to rescue, words that are meant to raise us up.

"Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing."

Jesus, I love you.
All my hope is in your mercy.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds (drn3rd@hotmail.com)

____________________

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 5:10 AM

20030417

 

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, April 17, 2003
Holy Thursday

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 12:1-8,11-14
Psalm 116:12-13,15-18
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

When the Jewish people were sprinkled with blood, they were given a jolting reminder that God's Covenant made them blood brothers and sisters with one another, as well as with the mighty Creator. Few nations in history have been bonded as closely as the Chosen People. Even in their sinfulness, God was faithful to the blood bond.

When Jesus gave the new covenant, it was also in blood. His blood flowed without pause into the soil and onto the skull of Adam. It was a shocking ritual binding all people as blood brothers and blood sisters.

The white suits and lace veils of First Communion children is a temporary gesture of innocence for our tainted human race. How soon that bond of unity with Jesus is tested and found wanting. Yet, the Sacred Blood of Eucharist constantly is offered to the Father on behalf of our weakness, cleansing and bonding us afresh into Christ, uniting us to the power of Love that will have its fulfillment only in the complete joy of Heaven.

Blessed Food of Life,
nourish us daily
as we hunger for your Love!

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore (smartins@twcny.rr.com)

____________________

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:15 AM

20030416

 

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, April 16, 2003
Wednesday of Holy Week

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 50:4-9
Psalm 69:8-10,21-22,31,33-34
Matthew 26:14-25

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"'You have said so.'"

With Judas we say, "Surely it is not I, Lord." And we know in our hearts that it is I, over and over again.

How we cause Jesus sorrow! And still He reaches out in love. His words to us are not accusation, but simply verification of what we already know. We are responsible. It is indeed through our faults and failings that we send Him to Good Friday.

But what a chance for rejoicing, that Someone was willing to go. Someone was willing to show us the way out of the morass of sin and self-deception. Someone was willing to pay the price for everyone.

One of us might pay the price for close friends and for family. But who would pay the price for those who were so ready to exact such a payment? Which of us would pay the price for our own Judas?

Jesus, incarnate Love, whose suffering was Love, whose Death was Love, and whose triumphant resurrection reveals the power of Love. Let us walk with Him on this journey yet again this year, ready to bear the cross, ready to really feel what is happening. Let us enfold ourselves in His Hour and let us prepare to rise with Him to serve the world.

- JuandelaCruz, T.O.Carm (sriddle415@yahoo.com)

____________________

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:18 AM

20030415

 

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, April 15, 2003
Tuesday of Holy Week

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-6,15,17
John 13:21-33,36-38

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." (John 13:21)

Perhaps the strongest human instinct is self-preservation. A problem arises when we think of preserving our lives purely on the physical level. Christ, however, calls us to go beyond this primitive reaction, for humanity is not the mere dust from which God formed us. He breathed His very life into our nostrils so that we would become living souls with a spiritual as well as a material dimension. God did not create us to be mindless little puppets. No, He made us in His image, able to receive His overflow of love and to share that love with one another. Our lives do not end when these visible bodies wear out; we are primarily immortal souls meant to bring glory to God on this earth and to live joyfully throughout eternity with Him.

If we are honest with ourselves, we will see that the reason life can be very painful is the fact that humans have fallen into sin which means that we have willfully chosen to disobey God's Word made known to us in Jesus Christ. We have rejected God's call to love Him and one another and instead used our energies for personal gain or satisfaction; thereby we lose our connection with God and so die, spiritually.

Judas Iscariot was such an individual; he not only betrayed Christ's "innocent blood," but he also disbelieved in God's forgiving love and so showed contempt for his own God-given life by committing suicide. Peter, on the other hand, fell temporarily by denying knowing Jesus when overcome with the fear of losing his life. When he realized the immensity of his sin, he wept bitter tears of repentance and some years later also suffered crucifixion for preaching the Good News of Christ's saving power.

Blessed Lord,
Your spilled, innocent blood
saved us from spiritual death.
May we, in loving gratitude,
offer our lives fully
to making Your saving power
known in this world. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, ocds (mlbocko@borg.com)

____________________

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:10 AM

20030414

 

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, April 14, 2003
Monday of Holy Week

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 42:1-7
Psalm 27:1-3,13-14
John 12:1-11

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

St. Paul says that the root of all evil is the love of money.

We know that in a few days Judas will betray the Lord for thirty pieces of silver; and that act, combined with his reaction to Mary's anointing of Jesus today, shows us where his true love is.

We need to remind ourselves that money in itself is not evil. It's what mankind does with money that is evil. And boiling it all down, what mankind does with money comes to one thing: idolatry.

And we know how much God hates idolatry.

So Judas loved his idol so much that he betrayed the only son of God, sending an innocent man to his execution. During this final week of Lent, let us examine ourselves. What idols do we love? Why? How do we get rid of this love of them? How do we get back to loving the one true God? Let us remember, every time we love our idols more than Him, we crucify Christ all over again.

- Don Claunch

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joachim 4:52 AM

20030413

 

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, April 13, 2003
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Mark 11:1-10
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9,17-20,23-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Mark 14:1--15:47

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

Reliving the passion of Our Lord through the Gospel this Sunday reminds us of the depth of God's love for us that He sacrificed His only Son so that we may be saved for eternity.

While the resurrection is the hope and crux of our faith, the passion and death of our Lord highlights the sordid reality of humanity, the sinfulness and weakness of our nature without the presence of the grace of God. Jesus' journey to death is a lonely, agonising one. He is betrayed not only by His enemies but by His beloved apostles, who in the face of adversity and failure run for cover, shallow in the strength of their belief and love. To all around, the story of Jesus is one of failure, indignity, shame, one of misplaced hope

Yet this was the will of the Father, this was the way it had to be. And in our own lives, we too have our passion and roads to Calvary. This is the human journey we must take in order to be one with Jesus in Heaven. The way may not be pretty and full of solace, but we should know that we are not abandoned by the Father. He loves us immeasurably and His plans for us are always for our good, even though it may not seem so at the time.

Let us trust and hope in God!

- Cliodhna Doyle (clia@cliadoyle.com)

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 1:02 PM

20030412

 

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, April 12, 2003
The Fifth Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 37:21-28
Jeremiah 31:10-13
John 11:45-56

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

If we let Him go on like this, the whole world will believe in Him. (John 11:48)

With all the signs and wonders Jesus performed, one would think only good could come of it. The Sanhedrin went in another direction, plotting the capture and death of Jesus. Caiaphas said "Can you not see that it is better to have one man die than have the whole nation destroyed?" (Jn 11:50) thereby putting his stamp of approval on the death of Jesus.

Our thoughts as we read this passage are: what did Jesus ever do in his three years of public ministry but good. The blind received their sight, the deaf heard, the lame walked, sinners could hold up their heads again, having been forgiven their sins. But wasn't torture and death Jesus' "reward" -- accepted freely for our salvation?

As we enter the holiest week of the Liturgical Year, let us reflect upon the Cross of Jesus, the sign of our salvation, and rejoice in the ultimate outcome, our own resurrection to eternal life, the promise earned by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

O Jesus,
may all the fruits of your passion and death
be upon us we enter this coming holy week.
Amen!

- Deacon Bill Powers (uujpow@aol.com)

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:15 AM

20030411

 

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, April 11, 2003
The Fifth Week of Lent
St. Stanilaus, bisop, martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 18:2-7
John 10:31-42

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's Responsorial Psalm reminds us that the Lord hears us when we cry out to Him. Sometimes it may seem as if God doesn't hear or, if He does, does not wish to let on that He does.

This =erroneous assumption= that sometimes the Lord does not hear and sometimes even when He does, chooses not to answer, is a classic example of how we try to impose our ways on God; and when He does not respond as we expect, we think He's absent or just doesn't care.

Great spiritual teachers teach us that we cannot know the mind and heart of God because His ways are so far beyond ours. The only way we can begin to "know" Him is through faith. St John of the Cross tells us that the only sure path to God is dark, blind faith, for everything else can deceive and mislead us.

How then can we manage to have this kind of faith? The question is rather straightforward and yet filled with the mystery of God's love. We have been told that it is in the sacrament of Baptism that God first gives us this gratuitous gift of faith; this wondrous gift that transforms us from sinfulness to holiness and transports us beyond what we can humanly know.

To keep faith alive, God has given us His holy and enduring Word and the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Let us never fail to believe that God hears and cares, but be reassured beyond all human understanding that He's ever present, always caring. Let's rely not on what seems to be, but on what faith tells us, is!

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds (drn3rd@hotmail.com)

____________________

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:13 AM

20030410

 

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, April 10, 2003
The Fifth Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 17:3-9
Psalm 105:4-9
John 8:51-59

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

It is said that history is made by only those few who are blessed with wide vision. That was certainly true of Abraham. In his embrace of diverse people and nations, his vision is a reflection of God's vision for universal bonding, excluding none in the kingdom. It is a vision broader even than that of Moses, whose mission was limited to the Hebrew nation.

What a tragic setback do we find in war. It divides the children of Abraham, creating fresh reasons to hate, plan recrimination, and harden hearts into unforgiveness. How God's heart must bleed afresh at the scene!!

Nevertheless, God's vision is the true one, and we must never rest in our prayer for unity and understanding, our plea that God forgive, and that brothers and sisters under Abraham will forgive one another, and start all over again to build trust and love. We must never cease, night and day, through prayer, action and penance, to bring about God's dream which He imparted to Abraham.

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore (smartins@twcny.rr.com)

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:00 AM

20030409

 

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, April 9, 2003
The Fifth Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Daniel 3:14-20,91-92,95
Daniel 3:52-56
John 8:31-32

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

But even if he will not, know, O king,
that we will not serve your god or worship
the golden statue that you set up. (Daniel 3:18)

This is one of the most powerful statements of belief, faith, resolution, confidence, and love in the Old Testament. Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego have been threatened, not merely with death, but with being placed in a red-hot furnace -- an exceedingly unpleasant way to die. And they say that if God can save them He will, but if not, even so they will not bow to a false God.

We need this word today. Every day, nearly every moment we are persuaded by one group or another that we should do one thing or another that we know to be wrong. How often do we go against our consciences because it is convenient, it is easier, or we just think it's too small a matter to give weighty consideration to?

From personal experience, I can say truthfully that every time I have been persuaded against my conscience and I have acted on that persuasion, I have regretted it, I have determined that no earthly force will ever again persuade me against my conscience. Whenever we act against our consciences, even for the good of others, the end result cannot be good. Bad seed gives rise to bad fruit, regardless of the rationalization we make for it.

So, when facing dire temptation, remember that God is faithful. As Jesus promises in the gospel: "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

Remain in His word -- it is the only way to live a life worth living. No matter how it looks outside, loyalty to the word of Jesus is by far the better way.

- JuandelaCruz, T.O.Carm (sriddle415@yahoo.com)

____________________

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:08 AM

20030408

 

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, April 8, 2003
The Fifth Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 102:2-3,16-18,19-21
John 8:21-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"For if you do not believe that I Am, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24)

Today's readings are a shocking reminder of the terrible consequences of refusing to accept Jesus as the Word of God upon which we must daily feed and assimilate into our very beings if we are to overcome sin and gain new life. In "Numbers" the Israelites complain to Moses because they must eat only the manna from heaven to sustain them on their difficult desert journey to the promised land. Painfully, they learned that in rejecting His food, they would die horribly from the bites of poisonous snakes. However, they could be saved from this evil by killing it, mounting it on a branch and raising it up to be seen by all. Those looking upon it and believing that evil no longer held any power over them would be healed.

This Old Testament event foreshadows Christ's crucifixion which put our sin to death in His human flesh to win for us forgiveness and salvation. Contrary to Modernist and liberal theological teachings that make light of sin, our All-Holy God cannot overlook and automatically forgive deliberate and unrepented sin. If He did, He would not have allowed Jesus to suffer punishment for our sin, nor would He require that we, along with Christ and by His grace, also die to sin in our daily lives. In other words, faith in Christ demands that we actually live by God's Word. In John's Gospel Jesus identifies Himself as the Deity by calling Himself, "I Am." This echoes God's reply to Moses when he asked Him to reveal His name to the Israelites that they would know whom to follow in order to enter the promised land (also God's kingdom). God tells Moses, "I Am Who Am."

Not all who heard Jesus that day followed Him, but only those whose hearts were open to God's Spirit, who received His gift of faith and lived by His Word. This same principle applies to us today.

Heavenly Father, impress upon our hearts
the need to make Christ the very center of our lives,
living as He lived in total self-giving to You
and to one another.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, ocds (mlbocko@borg.com)

____________________

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 5:07 AM

20030407

 

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, April 7, 2003
The Fifth Week of Lent
St. John Baptist de la Salle, priest, religious, founder

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62
Psalm 23:1-6
John 8:-11

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's Scripture readings describe how we all stand to be accused -- rightly or wrongly.

In times of false accusation those sophisticated in the ways of the world, encourage reliance on expert witnesses and the services of contemporary defense strategies. Even in times of justifiable accusation, great lengths to water-down the charge and reduce fair reparation are accepted as the norm.

Those who follow God's ways are called to respond in a very different way. When falsely accused they rely not just on the judgment of men, but on the justification of Christ who alone judges justly.

Those who rightfully stand accused rely not on clever excuses and manipulation of words and circumstances, but on the mercy of the Lord, who sees all and forgives all who humbly admit and repent of their sinfulness.

In attempting to recognize our short-comings and transgressions before the Lord, let us not get confused as to who we are dealing with. Let us not make excuses and exonerate ourselves; let us fall on our knees in the presence of the Lord and say: "Be merciful to me Lord, a sinner."

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds (drn3rd@hotmail.com)

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:21 AM

20030406

 

The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, April 6, 2003
The Fifth Sunday of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:3-4,12-13,14-15
Hebrews 5:7-9
John 12:20-33

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The first reading for today is so reassuring and shows the great love that God has for each one of us. God is giving us another chance in that He has made a new covenant, not like the old one. God has written His law on our hearts. God is a loving Father. It's like He said, "Well, it didn't go the way I planned, so I'll give you another chance." But unlike us, He says it in such a loving, caring manner, and He's even willing to sacrifice His only Son, Jesus, to make it happen!

Today's second reading is vital to the entire salvation message! Christ learned obedience from what He suffered, it says. Why did Christ place such emphasis on the obedience He had to His Father? Would He not always do the will of His Father anyway? Perhaps it was to model for us that we too, participate in the building up of the kingdom of God only when we are doing so in obedience, rather than building up our own false kingdoms.

The Gospel message is like a summary statement. We learn of the Greeks coming to seek out Christ. They want to see Jesus! (That sounds like a good goal for the remainder of this Lenten season.) Christ reminds us through this gospel that we must humble ourselves if we are to bear fruit that will last. It is then that God can work through us, and He can be glorified. Christ was willing to die on the cross to bring us salvation, and He modeled for us obedience, humility, and His eternal love.

- Joan of Jesus, ocds (jmurphy@utica.edu)

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:14 AM

20030405

 

The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, April 5, 2003
The Fourth Week in Lent
St. Vincent Ferrer, priest

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 7:2-3,9b-12
John 7:40-53

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

When we realize more then half of Lent has passed and we still haven't accomplished what we set out to do, we have a tendency to become discouraged. But the Lord honors our feeble efforts even at this "eleventh hour."

Our Gospel for today tells us of the plot of the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus. The guards sent to bring Jesus in, were touched by His words. Imagine the chief priests' thoughts and reactions when the guards came back without Him!

God wants us to approach Him exactly as we are, for He knows all about us and our deficiencies. Even if we've slipped in our resolve this Lent, His love never changes for us. We know how merciful He is, that we can still open up our hearts and minds and draw close to Him.

O loving Father,
help me to become your humble servant,
to listen to You today.
Amen.

- Deacon Bill Powers (uujpow@aol.com)

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:06 AM

20030404

 

The Catholic Calendar for Friday, April 4, 2003
The Fourth Week of Lent
St. Isidore, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Wisdom 2:12-22
Psalm 34:17-22,23
John 7:1-2,10,25-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's beautiful Scripture readings remind us of several important things. One, that those who are evil have no idea what the rewards of goodness are, so blinded are they by their wickedness. Secondly, that even in the midst of terrible trials and persecutions, God is present to support and comfort those who are just. And, finally, that recompense for goodness happens in God's time and in His way. All these points are important and particularly useful because they help us to cope with some of the terror of our times.

For the good man, it is incomprehensible how those who are bent on evil conduct themselves. It helps to know that evil really blinds those who assent to it. So determined are the plots of the wicked, that suffering seems unavoidable. Yet, we are reminded that The Almighty is present and supports those who suffer to resist evil and are determined to pursue what is good and just. Often God seems to be absent and the lovely words of scripture that talk about how God supports the brokenhearted are nothing but hope-filled platitudes.. Sometimes it's difficult to believe that goodness will triumph.

That's why the final point, the lesson of all things in God's time, is so crucial. Otherwise we would be prey to doubt and discouragement. We have only to look at the life of Christ, Our Suffering Servant, to recall how everyone thought all was lost and the goodness He preached merely unattainable niceties.

Let us then pray for patience and remember that the victory over evil has already been won by the saving Blood of Christ. Let us submit to God's will and patiently endure all things in imitation of Him who one day, after all was thought to be lost, rose in glory from the dead.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds (drn3rd@hotmail.com)

____________________

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:09 AM

20030403

 

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, April 3, 2003
The Fourth Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 108:19-23
John 5:31-47

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's readings show clearly how the human mind may twist its gaze away from the truth and the ways of truth. The foolish and blasphemous actions of the Israelites in the desert startle and disgust us. We side with God in His decision to replace them with a more faithful people. But when we think of our own foolish and traitorous actions, we meekly beg God to stay His hand!

In the Gospel, Jesus has proved His connection with the Father, as though He were on trial. Again the perversity and blindness of human nature constantly puts God on trial. It's like the person who, when greeted with a sincere "Good morning. Have a good day!" responds with a cynical "What do you mean by that?" The goodness and overflowing richness of creation is not enough for us. We must cynically question how all of this got here in the first place! We must listen to the patient, loving Christ who bids us search the Scriptures for proof of His goodness, His good intentions, and His forgiveness.

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore (smartins@twcny.rr.com)

____________________

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:22 AM

20030402

 

The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, April 2, 2003
The Fourth Week in Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 49:8-15
Psalm 145:8-9,13-14,17-18
John 5:17-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Even should she forget,
I will never forget you.
(Isaiah 49:15)

God is merciful beyond mercy. Think about it: we live in the society that the writer found wildly implausible. He asks us if it would be possible for a mother to forsake her child or not have tenderness for the child within her womb. Apparently it is possible for well over a million mothers a year in America. We live in the unthinkable, and still God stays His hand.

We are guarded and watched over even though we do not conduct ourselves as people of the covenant or children of the Lord God. God still pities us our ignorance and our ignoble natures. He still lavishes gentle love upon us.

Perhaps if we were more aware of that love constantly flowing from Him, we would be better able to share it with others. Perhaps if we listened to Him a bit better, we would come to know His love.

The Lord promises "They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind or sun strike them." Let us praise God first thing in the morning, last thing in the evening and every minute in between. May His praise be ever upon our lips and He will dwell richly within our hearts.

May God bless us all this Lent with the richness of His loving kindness and the sure knowledge of His mercy. We do not deserve it, we cannot earn it, but we shall surely have it from the hand of God Himself.

- JuandelaCruz, T.O.Carm (sriddle415@yahoo.com)

____________________

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©1986-2003 The Way, The Truth, The Life

joachim 4:02 AM

20030401

 

Just in case y’all were wondering why there was no meditation earlier today....
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- Joachim

joachim 5:02 PM

 

The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, April 1, 2003
The Fourth Week in Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 47:1-9,12
Psalm 46:2-3,5-6,8-9
John 5:1-16

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your mat and walk." (John 5:8)

On the natural level we know that water which covers about 75% of the earth's surface is not only plentiful but also the most essential ingredient in all life forms. On the supernatural level, water symbolizes God's love, all His blessings that are ever flowing out to us from His very heart. Problems arise on earth during times of drought when thousands of acres of crops are destroyed by lack of rain. We also hear daily of another kind of devastation to human lives, when people victimize one another by giving in to greed and aggression resulting from their refusal to drink God's living water promised by Christ to the Samaritan woman at the well and to all of us. It is this water that leads to the cleansing of our sins, enables us to love unconditionally as God loves us and bears us forth to eternal life.

Christ Himself opens God's floodgates for us; through Him, by our abiding in His living word, we can drink of this water which quenches thirst as no earthly water can do. Humanity selfishly, unceasingly pursues money, pleasure, possessions, fame, power and autonomy because these worldly waters can never slake our deepest desires. Souls so afflicted become dry as tinder; and lacking God's life - His love, within themselves - they have no overflow, nothing that can give life to others.

Today's Gospel asks some difficult questions. What has this crippled man done or failed to do over a span of 38 years to bring healing to himself by being immersed in this living water in the pool? Had he sat idly by, steeped in self-pity, not seeking help from God or man? Living water, our salvation, is available to all; but it is we, in obedience to God's Word, who must "take up our mats and walk" to receive it. The alternative is dying as hopeless spiritual cripples.

Father of all life,
open our hearts
to receive your love, truth and goodness
and teach us
how we may best share these blessings
with others.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, ocds (mlbocko@borg.com)

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joachim 6:37 AM