Blesseds for the day: The three “Fatima Children” – 19th & 20th Century

Scripture Readings for today’s Liturgy:

Sirach 1:1-10    –    Psalm 93    –    Mark 9:14-29

“I will account all your wonders, I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High. (Today’s Communion Antiphon based on Psalm 9:2-3)4

It’s obvious that we’re at a transitional point – between the ordinary time and the beginning of Lent. We hear about “wisdom” and faith. The powerful word from the Gospel seem to be “IF” IF you can… if is not part of God’s wisdom or of Jesus’ ability. We are continually reminded to seek wisdom as the key to our ability to follow Jesus. What is wisdom? It’s more than mere knowledge. Wisdom requires an ability to take knowledge & go to the next level. Knowledge allows me to add two and two to get four. Wisdom gives me the ability to know that ”two” is just a symbol to which we can attach meaning & arrive at a given end. Knowledge allows me to read the Gospels about Jesus. Wisdom takes me beyond the words to that place where I can begin to see Jesus as son of God. Wisdom is more than just intelligence. It is the ability to process and assimilate realities that folks without faith can only talk about but not really believe.

I know that I am sitting here, in the chapel in early morning. I’m reflecting on the day’s reading. Wisdom is what moves me to do this. Wisdom is probably what allowed the three Fatima Children to experience of vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary and know something powerful about God. May all our souls be filled with the Wisdom of God. Amen!