Catholic Calendar
and Daily Meditation
Monday, May 20, 2013
Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
St. Bernardine of Siena, priest
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
http://new.usccb.org/bible/readings/052013.cfm
Sirach 1:1-10
Psalm 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5
Mark 9:14-29
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
Spring is beginning to bud forth here in much of the United States of America and at this time we have graduations, weddings and the hope of new growth in nature. Graduates, too, hope that they will be able to find employment where they can market their expertise after years of study and hard work as students. Brides and grooms are anxious to start their lives together and to fulfill their many dreams as a family. Everything seems so joyful and so positive!
We know, however, that life can be difficult, that we are not always able to fulfill our dreams as we had once wished, for many reasons. This was true also in the time of Christ. The apostles had aspirations following in the footsteps of Christ, to heal the sick and the possessed as He did. In today's gospel they were unable to help the young man possessed by a demon. Christ came along and was able to do so readily. Christ reminded them that they needed a conscious reliance on God and a life of prayer. We do not act alone on our own power. Christ also reminded them that "Everything is possible to one who has faith."
(Mark 9:23)
It is curious that when we attempt to purchase a greeting-card for a graduate or for a newlywed couple, cards with reference to God are labeled "religious." It is as if some people can start off as a new graduate or as a newlywed merely on their own power, whereas the "religious" person must seek the aid of God.
In reality none of us can accomplish a thing without God. Spring is a time of year for great hope. Let us renew not only the realization of our dependence on God, but also our power to accomplish great things through Him!
- Joan of Jesus, OCDS | send comments to: jmurphy(at)syracuse.net
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