20th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, August 26, 2006

Scripture: Ezekiel 43:1-7. Psalm 85. Matthew 23:1-12

Our readings from the prophet Ezekiel end today. I like the choice of this final vision of our unusual prophet who is addressed by God as the "son of man" or simply as "mortal one." We are taken into the Temple in Jerusalem through the East Gate and with the prophet we experience the Presence of God (the text reads Glory of God in the Hebrew). I learned early in my vowed life as a Marianist, that it is primary to put oneself in the Presence of God while praying and reflecting. This is an excellent start to meditation on the Scriptures and I practice it daily due to the mentors and formation people I had earlier in my religious life. Surely, we do not have the same vision the Prophet had, but we do sense that we are in the Presence of God once we begin to pray. What else is prayer all about? Through our Baptism we have received the gift and virtue of faith which helps us to sense the Presence of God while praying.

Our Psalm likewise helps us to be in the Presence of God. The verses nurture our prayer while reflecting upon the refrain used today and its accompanying verses. I can easily enter into this beautiful hymn of praise even though the inspired writer lived more than two thousand years ago. The Psalmist prayed in the Presence of God.

Jesus helps us to focus on the Presence of God by recalling that God is our Father and that no one else should take God's place. We also can call upon Jesus who is the Christ, the Anointed One and Son of God. Jesus is our Teacher and Rabbi when it comes to praying and living in the Presence of God. Finally, since this is a Saturday and this day is also commemorating Mary the Mother of Jesus, it is easy for me to ask her to be present in my prayer and meditation on the Scriptures. Our Blessed Founder once said, "It is a sorry or sad meditation in which the Virgin Mary has no part." As a Marianist, I like the idea of also living in the presence of Mary our spiritual mother. Amen.