Meditation: test: Thursday, November 16, 2006

The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, November 16, 2006
Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
St. Margaret of Scotland
St. Gertrude

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Philemon 7-20
Psalm 146:7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
Luke 17:20-25

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In the northeastern part of the United States, the home of this writer, nature is winding down the brilliant hues of autumn; the gentle rains are falling in preparation for our long, but beautiful snow-laden winter. In our social spheres we have not yet begun the frantic commercial preparations for the Christmas holiday. We can choose to take advantage of this precious "oasis" to realize the Kingdom of God within each of us, as baptized Christians.

In the first reading, St. Paul makes reference to the joy he receives from the love of his fellow Christians. Would this not also be true of our Lord? We are all children of God, and as children we can express our sincere, childlike love to our Abba—Father. We can curl up in the loving arms of our Father in Heaven and just BE! That total gift of self is all that we can give back to our Father, and is really all that He wants.

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)