The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter



Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 20:28-38
Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab
John 17:11b-19



A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's First Reading, St. Paul warns the presbyters, who are being sent to proclaim the good news, to stay vigilant, saying "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them." (Acts 20:29-30)

This is a message that is relevant today. There are many "wolves" in our society who pervert the truth. The media, for example, encourages us to spend money to "keep up with the Joneses" because this is how the media claims that we will be judged if we are not up with the latest trends.

This is not what we are called to do or be. God has a much greater plan for us; He has a far better eternal home than all the money of this world can buy. This is why Saint Paul worries about the "wolves" and prays for us. (see John 17:9)

In Paul's conclusion to the presbyters we see how we are to fight the wolves: "In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said that it is more blessed to give than to receive." (see Acts 20:35)

We are called to give—and in giving we receive. This may seem like a contradiction but in truth it guides us, for when we give out of love we are learning how to love better and more importantly be open to it; God is love, therefore we grow to know Him better every time we give from the heart.

- Danielle

________________________________________________________________________________________________________