The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thursday of the Third Week in Lent



Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 7:23-28
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Luke 11:14-23



A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Does evil really exist? Sometimes we just tend to find excuses for the bad actions of others and ourselves.

We do refer, in the Catechism, to the "Church militant." Yes, it is recognized by the Church that we are fighting a battle with evil. In the readings for today, Christ refers to "arming the palace" and later states "whoever is not with me is against me." Christ went on to say that "whoever does not gather with me, scatters." Which side are we on?

How can we "arm our palace"? Our main shield is the gift of faith which we received at our Baptism. The seeds of faith are given, but it is up to us to nourish them. Literature often warns that indifference, or to be lukewarm, can be our biggest enemy. It can eat away at our precious gift and then when we are challenged by the Evil One, we are defenseless. Let us each do our part in the army of Christ. Do we gather or do we scatter?


- Joan of Jesus, OCDS | jmurphy(at)syracuse(dot)net

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