January 28, 2010
Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church
It is you, LORD of hosts, God of Israel, who said in a revelation to your servant, 'I will build a house for you.' Therefore your servant now finds the courage to make this prayer to you. And now, Lord GOD, you are God and your words are truth; you have made this generous promise to your servant. Do, then, bless the house of your servant that it may be before you forever; for you, Lord GOD, have promised, and by your blessing the house of your servant shall be blessed forever. 2 Samuel 7:27-29
He also told them, "Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." Mark 4:24-25
Piety
I am full of wishes, full of desires, full of expectations.
Some may be realized, many may not but in the midst of my satisfactions and disappointments, I hope in you.
I know that you will never leave me alone and will fulfill your divine promises.
Even when it seems that things are not going my way, I know that they are going your way and that, in the end, your way is the best way for me.
O Lord, strengthen my hope, especially when my wishes are not fulfilled.
Let me never forget that your name is love.
By Henri Nouwen.
Study
Samuel reminds us of the covenant we have with the Lord. The Lord will provide blessings on our house because He has chosen us as his servants. However, this covenant has another side which comes out in the reading from Mark. While the Lord offers unconditional love to us, in return, he asks us to spread the Good News in our words and deeds.
“To the one who has, more will be given.” Careful reading will avoid seeing this in an economic or political sense. This has nothing to do with material possessions or political power or social position. This statement comes right after Jesus comments on making his words and works visible and sharing them in the world. So I read this as, “To the one who listens and hears, more will be shared. To the one who understands, more will be revealed.” Passing on the word of the Lord is our commitment for the blessings that we have received in life.
Action
In today’s world, there are many tools and resources available to help us understand and spread the Gospel. Coming up in the Arlington Diocese is a conference being sponsored by the Justice and Peace Commission. You are invited to the 4th annual Peace Symposium Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 3304 North Washington Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia 22201.
Dr. Dr. Maryann Cusimano Love is the keynote speaker and her topic is “Seeking a Just Peace Religion: A Source of Peace or Conflict?” She is an award winning international educator, New York Times Best-Selling Author and Associate Professor of International Politics at Catholic University
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For more information call 703-321-7960. Details also are posted on the web at http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/peace/index.php
The symposium will begin with 9:00 a.m. Mass the program will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
