The Catholic Calendar for Monday, May 12, 2008
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Ss. Nereus, Achilleus and Pancras, martyrs



Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
James 1:1-11
Psalm 119:67-68, 71-72, 75-76
Mark 8:11-13



A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits. (James 1:11)

Many of us have met people so entrenched in their self-importance that they reject ideas that deviate in the least from their own. No amount of evidence or reasoning can sway them; indeed they will be hostile toward any who challenge them as experts in their field.

Such were the Pharisees who saw Jesus as a threat to their rich lives and their high religious status. They piously rejected the thought that Jesus was their long awaited Messiah. Though they had witnessed many of Christ's miraculous deeds, they repeatedly tried to discredit Him.

In today's Gospel they demanded He perform "a sign from heaven" as the ultimate test to prove His identity. Jesus told them this would not be given them, for they had already stubbornly rejected seeing the signs He had given them as being empowered by God. The Pharisees' demand that Jesus should put God to the test, to call on Him to prove Himself, was, on their part, the height of presumption and rampant pride.

James' letter to the new Christians tells them to never doubt God's loving care in times of trial. By persevering through challenges to their faith, they would be strengthened, in the wisdom, peace and stability needed to sustain them.

James reminds them also of Christ's teaching that prosperity and social standing are not signs of God's favor, and, in fact, can interfere with such individuals developing humility before God as the giver of all their blessings. The Pharisees' self-righteous importance and power blinded them to God's greatest gift, His saving love given them in the Person of Jesus Christ.

O Father God, instill in us the same humility and love that enabled Your Son to take on human flesh and die for our salvation at the hands of corrupt leaders. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS | email: mlbocko (at) twcny (dot) rr (dot) com

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