February 11, Wednesday Weekday

O bless the Lord, my soul!--Psalm 104:1

Mass readings: Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17 / Mark 7:14-23

Feeling Wiser Than

Today's first reading tells us, ''The Lord God formed man out of the clay of the gr. . . .'' Wait a minute. I thought it was ''from dust.'' Better check. The New Revised Standard Version says ''dust.'' The Douay-Rheims says ''slime''! They're all Catholic translations. Which one's right? Don't we need to know? For certain?

I have a friend who thinks along those lines. Constantly. Religion has become a feverish, compulsive search for error -- the vigilante approach to faith. Then, too, I have another friend who would not be a bit upset if Luke 22:19 (''This is my body.'') were translated, ''This is like a symbol for my body.'' I want to shake both friends. But I would accomplish more if I worked on not feeling so superior.

Prayer: Jesus, make my heart like Yours, meek and humble.