TODAY'S MEDITATION

Catholic Calendar: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 Wednesday of the First Week of Advent St. Martin de Porres, religious Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:  Isaiah 25:6-10a Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Matthew 15:29-37 A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:  Four expressions from today's gospel serve as an example of what our lives are meant to be as Christians.  Jesus cured the sick, fed the hungry, gave thanks to the Father, and gave the fragments to the disciples for distribution. We are those disciples today. We cannot cure as Christ did, but we certainly can provide the love and support of others needing healing. We can reach out and assist those hungry for food and experiencing spiritual hunger. We can adopt an attitude of thanksgiving - - for everything that we are and have is from God.  And lastly, all that we have and all that we become - - by being open to the grace of God - - we can distribute to others just as the disciples distributed the multiplication of food in the gospel. That is the true meaning of the Christian life! Christ now depends on us - - lives in us - - to continue His mission on earth. Through our living this life, the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading will be fulfilled: The LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples,  and will wipe away the tears from all faces.  (see Isaiah 25:6 and 8)  ~ Joan of Jesus, OCDS | email: jmurphy(at)syracuse.net