January 23, 2015

Jan. 23

January 23, 2015:  Friday, 2nd week, Ordinary Time




  • 'Scales of justice' pin next to 'peace sign' tie bar: Justice and peace shall kiss (psalm)
  • 'Children holding hands around the world' tie: Week of prayer for Christian unity
  • Green shirt: Ordinary Time season

Listen


Pope Francis World Communications Day message

Communicating the Family:  a Privileged Place of Encounter with the Gift of Love, for the 49th World Day of Social Communications (May 24):  We learn to communicate first in the family.  “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth cried, ‘Blessed are you among women,....’”  Communication is intertwined with body language; the child responds first.  In the womb we learn joy at meeting others; it's the archetype of communication.  Our encounter in the womb with our mothers is our first communication.  We're still in the 'womb' of the family.

Family members accept each other because of the bond between them.   The bond is at the root of language, from which it's strengthened.   We don't create language; we receive and use it.  We realize others preceded us and made it possible for us to exist and do good.  We can give because we have received.  This virtuous circle is the heart of family communication and the model for all communication.

In the family we learn to pray, embrace, understand silence and facial expressions, laugh, and cry; we understand communication as recognizing and creating closeness.  When we grow close and accept one another, we experience joy; Mary’s greeting is followed by the Magnificat.   A yes in faith can have effects beyond ourselves.  To 'visit' is to open doors, going out to others.   The family comes alive as it reaches beyond itself; families who do so communicate their message of life and communion, give hope, and build up the Church, family of families.

In the family we experience limitations, the problems of living with others.  Don't be afraid of imperfections, weakness, or conflict; learn to deal with them constructively.  The family is a school of forgiveness, itself a communication process, through which broken communication is restored and rebuilt.  One who's learned in the family to listen and to speak respectfully will be a force for dialogue and reconciliation in society. [concluded tomorrow]

Read
Wordle: Readings 1-23-15
  • Heb 8:6-13  Our high priest is mediator of a better covenant.  The Lord said he'd establish a new covenant, forgiving them and putting his law on their minds and hearts.
  • Ps 85:8, 10-14  "Kindness and truth shall meet"; justice and peace shall kiss.  Show us mercy and save us.
  • Mk 3:13-19  Jesus summoned and appointed the Twelve Apostles to be with him and go forth with authority:  Simon Peter, James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
Reflect
    Justitia et pax/ Dell'Orto
    "Justice and peace shall kiss" (psalm)
    • One Bread One Body:  "The cost of disunity":  Ironically, the anniversary of legalized abortion is during this week of prayer for Christian unity.  If the New Covenant were truly written on our hearts, Christians wouldn't be divided about life issues.
    • Passionist:  Covenant implies a relationship between God and a a community.  Jesus chose twelve Apostles, parallel to the Twelve tribes of Israel, the Chosen People....  We're called to love each other as Christ loves us, preaching by our lives the love of God in Christ.
    • DailyScripture.net:  Jesus chose ordinary people as apostles; they could do much under his direction and power.  May we respond generously to his call to us.

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