January 7, 2018

Epiphany

January 7, 2018:  Epiphany of the Lord

Find 15 connections with today?
Legend below

Listen
For the Epiphany
For 1st reading
For Psalm 72
For future celebrations
Pope Francis
Baptism of the Lord (though we don't celebrate it till tomorrow) homily:  Baptizing your children is the first step in your transmitting the Faith to them, for which you need the Holy Spirit.  Transmission of the Faith can only be done in “dialect,” in the “language” of the family.  Catechists come later and develop this transmission.  If the “dialect” is missing, if you don't speak the language of love, the transmission of the Faith can't be done.  Transmit the Faith with the language of the love of your home.
Children have their dialect too, and Jesus asks us to be like them, to speak like them.  Communicate simply like they do:  tell Jesus what's in your heart.  Your language as parents must be the love you transmit the Faith with, and children's language must receiving Faith from you and growing in it.
Read
  • Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13  "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."  The king shall govern with justice; peace will flourish.  All kings shall offer gifts and serve him.  He'll rescue the poor and afflicted and have pity on the lowly.
  • Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6  The mystery of God’s grace was revealed to me for your benefit.  Gentiles are coheirs and partners in Christ's promise.
  • Mt 2:1-12  Magi asked, “Where's the newborn king?  We saw his star.”  Troubled King Herod asked where and when he was to be born, then sent them to look for the child and bring him word.  They followed the star, entered, did homage, and offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they took another route back.
Reflect
  • The triple meaning of Epiphany:  Before the feast was associated with the Magi's visit to baby Jesus, it celebrated three events that manifested God the Son:  Jesus' Incarnation, Jesus' baptism, and the wedding at Cana....
  • Creighton:  God’s choices are unpredictable.  How could we have imagined the salvation history we celebrate today?!  God chose an insignificant people, and from among them chose an insignificant virgin; through them, through whom to reveal his plan to save the world.  Today we celebrate the revealing of the plan beyond the Jews to the world.  Paul exalts that God intended the mystery of salvation treasured by the Jews as theirs alone for the Gentiles too.  God chose us, and we're heirs of his promises!  How central to us is our relationship with Jesus Christ?  Do we take it for granted or grow each day in treasuring the gift of faith?
    Adoration of the Magi/ Murillo
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Herod understood" the significance of Jesus' birth.  We must either surrender our lives to Jesus or declare war on him.  We either live for him or make a pathetic attempt to keep him from living; we die to self or try to make him die.  Herod understood Jesus' birth would lead to Calvary; there's a competition for allegiance to "the newborn King" and the king of the world.  We'll either decide to be crucified to the world or to crucify the King.  Either my ego or the Son of God has to go.  Be a wise man or woman:  dethrone yourself, enthrone Jesus as your King, Savior, and Lord, and humble yourself before him; otherwise you're a Herod.
  • Passionist:  Today we read about the Magi, evidently gifted people who visit a baby at the mercy of those around him and offer their gifts to him.  Matthew doesn’t tell us what gifts the baby Jesus gave them....
    The Virgin suckling the Child/ Cranach
    30 more; Vatican:
    "Show tender images of Mary breastfeeding"
    (re today's homily)
  • DailyScripture.net:  "They fell down and worshiped Jesus":  If Jesus is really the Son of God and Savior, why didn't everyone who heard and saw him recognize him?  "When he came into the world, the world didn't know him and his people didn't receive him."  Only the shepherds recognized him at his birth, and some foreigners also found their way via the star to pay homage.
"Note the fitting order of events:  the wise men saw the star; the Jews and their king received them; they heard prophecy; the angel instructed them; they journeyed to Bethlehem by the star's guidance.  From this we learn this was no ordinary star, for no other star can guide, even beckon, them.  The star remained after they arrived, so the child might also be seen, for there's nothing conspicuous about the place:  the inn was ordinary, and the mother was not notable.  The star was needed to manifest and illumine the place, until they had reached their destination" (John Chrysostom).
The wise men left everything, including home and country, to pursue their quest; they were led to the source of knowledge:  Jesus Christ, God's Light and Wisdom.  They worshiped the newborn King and gave him fitting gifts.  The same Lord gives each of us the same light of revelation to recognize and accept Jesus.  The Spirit moves us so we may understand, accept, and believe the truth God revealed to us through Jesus Christ.  "Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace" (Thomas Aquinas).  To know and to encounter Jesus Christ is to know God personally.  In the encounter of the Magi with Jesus we see God's plan to give his Son as King and Savior for for all nations.  He came that all may find peace with God.  May all find the Lord and Savior on their journey of life.  Do I bring the light of Christ to those I meet?
Dress legend
  • 'Heart' pin:  "Your heart shall throb and overflow" (1st reading)
  • 'Money bag' pin:  "The wealth of nations shall be brought to you" (1st reading)
  • 'Eyeball' tie pin:  Raise your eyes and look about (1st reading)
  • 'Heart' pin:  Your heart shall throb (1st reading)
  • Gold-colored accoutrements:  All shall come bearing gold... (1st reading)
  • 'Christmas lights' tie, white shirt and socks:  Nations shall walk by your light (1st reading), Magi followed star's light (gospel)
  • 'Olympics' tie pin:  Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (psalm)
  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  Peace shall flourish (psalm)
  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  May he rule from sea to sea (psalm); from you shall come a ruler (gospel)
  • 'Crown' tie bar:  Endow the king...; kings shall offer gifts (psalm); King Herod (gospel)
  • 'Star' tie pin:  Magi:  "We saw his star" (gospel)
  • No-'L' pin:  Christmas season lasts through tomorrow
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January 6, 2018

Jan. 6

January 6, 2018:  Saturday before Epiphany

See 14 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen
For Psalm 147
Pope Francis
Epiphany (though we don't celebrate it till tomorrow) Angelus:  Attitudes that characterize Jesus' Epiphany ('manifestation'):  careful searching, indifference, and fear.  The Magi carefully search for the Messiah.  The scribes and chief priests, who know where Jesus was born, are indifferent and stay within their comfort zones.  Herod has the worst reaction:  he fears the Child will usurp his authority and pretends to want to pay him homage because he wants to eliminate his rival.  Fear provokes hypocrisy.
We must choose our attitude before Jesus' coming.  Selfishness can make us think of Jesus as a threat or obstacle, and indifference can lead us to live as if he didn't exist, but we're called to follow the Magi's example:  to search carefully, go out of our way to meet Jesus, worship him, recognize he's Lord, and follow his way.  If we choose this attitude, Jesus saves us and we can live a beautiful life, growing in faith, hope, and love for God and others.  With Mary's help, may every person find Christ, the Light of Truth, and may the world go forward along the path of justice and peace.  Full text
Epiphany homily:  Dare to look up to the star and “set out,” shake off your comforts, give freely, and do good to Jesus' "least” brothers and sisters.  The Magi saw the star, set out, and brought gifts.  It began when they looked to the star, the star of Jesus that doesn't dazzle or overwhelm but gently invites.  Others stars like success, money, career, honor, and pleasure blaze and fade, not pointing the way; but the Lord’s star ensures peace and grants joy.
Just as they set out after seeing the star, the star of Jesus demands that those who seek him leave worldly comforts behind.  To find Jesus, we have to overcome our fear of taking risks, our self-satisfaction, and our refusal to ask more of life.  This isn't easy, just as the Magi came across Herod and the priests and scribes who were afraid of what God was doing.  Christians can fall into the same temptation and talk about faith but take no risk, or pray but do no good, unlike the Magi who talked little and journeyed much.
The Magi bring costly gifts.  The Gospel becomes real when we give.  Giving freely, for the Lord’s sake, without expecting anything is the sure sign we've found Jesus.  Giving freely is doing good without counting the cost, even when not asked, even when you gain nothing from it, even if it's unpleasant.  Jesus asks us to give to the least of his brothers and sisters, who have nothing to give in return.  We give a gift pleasing to him when we care for a sick person, spend time with a difficult person, help someone for the sake of helping, or forgive someone who has hurt us.  Think of a gift you can give without expecting anything back.
Read
  • 1 Jn 5:5-13 The one who believes Jesus is God's Son is victor.  The Spirit, the water, and the Blood testify God gave us eternal life in his Son.  Whoever possesses the Son has life.
  • Ps 147:12-15, 19-20  "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem."  God has strengthened your gates, blessed your children, given you peace, and filled you with the best of wheat.
  • Mk 1:7-11  John the Baptist:  “One mightier is coming after me; I'm not worthy to loosen his sandals.  I baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”  Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John.  He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending upon him.  A voice came from the heavens:  “You are my beloved Son; with you I am pleased.”
  • Lk 3:23-38  Jesus began his ministry when he was about 30.  He was the son of Joseph, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.
Reflect
    The baptism of Christ/ Ghirlandaio
    (More images)
  • Creighton:  Mark uses Old Testament language to communicate the Good News of Jesus.  “I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit”:  Those John baptized likely understood the baptism as recommitment to living the law of Moses, but how would they have understood the promise of baptism in the Spirit?  “I will pour out my spirit upon all mankind.”  Joel pointed to a time when the Spirit would be for everyone, not just prophets and kings.  They might have also recalled Ezekiel's prophecy that God would bring them home, cleanse them from idolatry, give them a new heart, and put his Spirit in them, enabling them to live the covenant to the full.  Jesus saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him.  Heaven being torn open may refer to the sky being ripped open, where Isaiah prays to God, “Father, rend the heavens and come down,”  another plea for the Spirit in a passage that mentions the Spirit three times before.  They'd see that Jesus answers Isaiah's prayer.  The dove could refer to a new beginning.  The dunking in the Spirit and tearing open of the sky remind us that the Child brings new life with God, the gift of the Spirit, a fresh start. May we let God work this newness in our lives.
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Christmas misery":  Many experience hurt, depression, and bondage to sin during this season.  Marriages fail, bitterness and resentment poison family life, and hearts are broken.  People mourn the loss of loved ones....  Jesus sees our pain and wills for us Christmas, life, repentance, healing, and salvation.  "You who believe in the Son of God possess eternallife."
  • Passionist:  Who'd have thought God would have chosen John the Baptist to introduce Jesus as Messiah?  He was a "wilderness man" with a blunt, unpolished message.  Perhaps it was because of his humility.  “Humility is keeping yourself within your own bounds,... submitting” (Thomas Aquinas).  John knew he wasn't the Messiah, just a lesser voice with a lesser baptism.  He encouraged his disciples Andrew and Simon follow Jesus; he let them go because he knew Jesus was the leader.  May we lead others to Jesus through humility....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "The Spirit descends upon the Father's beloved Son":  Jesus didn't need John's baptism of repentance but humbly submitted to it, a foreshadowing of his "baptism" of blood on the cross. Jesus' baptism is the acceptance and the beginning of his mission as God's suffering Servant; he let himself be numbered among sinners.  The Father proclaimed his delight in him for all to hear. The Spirit was present as Jesus was anointed for his ministry.  Jesus would be the source of the Spirit for all who believe.  "Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him" (Gregory Nazianzen).  To be transformed by Christ's love and power and become a more effective servant of the gospel of peace, mercy, and justice, ask the Spirit to forge Jesus' humility in you.  The Lord wants to renew us in the Spirit and anoint us for mission to be "salt and light" to others, to let his love and truth to shine through us.  Lord, fill us with your Spirit so we may radiate gospel joy.
Dress Legend
  • 'Dove' pin:  The Spirit testifies (1st reading); He'll baptize you with the Spirit; Spirit descended on Jesus (gospel)
  • Blue and white in shirt, white socks:  Blue for the water that testifies (1st reading) and baptism with water (gospel), white for Christmas season
  • 'Blood drop' pin:  The blood testifies (1st reading)
  • 'Children' pin:  "God has blessed your children" (psalm)
  • 'Happy birthday, Jesus' pin:  The one who believes Jesus is God's Son is victor (1st reading)
  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  God granted peace in your borders (psalm)
  • 'Noël' pin, Christmas tie and suspenders:  It's Christmas season through Monday
  • 'Caged lion' pin:  God has strengthened the bars of your gates (psalm)
  • '3 rubies' pin:  3 Magi (since many celebrate Epiphany today)
  • Sandals (not shown):  John:  I'm not worthy to loosen his sandals (gospel)
  • 'Wheat' pin (can't find; see 12-22):  God fills you with the best of wheat (psalm)
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January 5, 2018

John Neumann

January 5, 2018:  St. John Neumann, Bishop

See a dozen connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

For 1st reading
For Psalm 100
Pope Francis


January prayer intention:  That religious minorities in Asia be able to practice their faith freely

To elementary teachers:   Promote a culture of encounter. Educate children to be open and interested in others, respecting their histories, strengths, weaknesses, resources, limitations.  Children must learn to be free of prejudices stemming from a competitive, aggressive culture that sees others as obstacles.  Teach children to care for our common home; help them develop and live an integrated Christian environmental ethic.  Rebuild educational alliances between schools, families, and the state.
Read
  • 1 Jn 3:11-21  Love one another.  Cain slaughtered his brother because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.  Don't be amazed if the world hates you.  We know we've passed from death to life because we love our brothers.  Everyone who hates is a murderer, without eternal life.  We came to know love through Jesus' laying down his life for us; so we should lay down our lives for others.  If you refuse compassion to one in need, how can God's love remain in you?  Love in deed and truth, not word or speech.  If our hearts don't condemn us, we have confidence in God.
  • Ps 100:1b-5  "Let all the earth cry out to God with joy."  We're his people, his flock.  The Lord is good, kind, and faithful.
  • Jn 1:43-51  Jesus told Philip, "Follow me."  Philip told Nathanael, "We found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about, Jesus from Nazareth." / "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" / "Come and see." / Jesus:  "Here is a true child of Israel." / "How do you know me?" / "I saw you under the fig tree." / "You are the Son of God, the King of Israel."  / "You'll see greater things; you'll see angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Reflect
  • Creighton:  The Christmas season will end Monday at the feast of Jesus' Baptism.  Can I carry the messages God has for me this season past Monday?  There's meaning to most everything we do, but we need to stop and recognize it.  May we be contemplatives in action, reflecting on the day and what we've done and seeing how the Spirit is at work and calling us to act. The examen is a great tool for this.
  • Passionist:  Today's 1st reading gives a concrete way to show love.  Don't become paralyzed by the great need you see, but just do good wherever you are....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Come and see":  Philip was eager to tell Nathaniel (AKA Bartholomew) about his decision to follow Jesus.  Nathanael was skeptical because he didn't think the Messiah could come from Nazareth.  How could he, when the prophets said he'd come from Bethlehem?  We're skeptical when someone tries to convince us of truth till we can understand it ourselves.  Instead of arguing, Philip invited Nathanael to "come and see" for himself, and the encounter with Jesus Christ changed his life.  When people see his love in action, the Lord touches them and opens them to recognize he's the Son of God who reveals the Father's love and truth.  When Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus, Jesus opened Nathanael's heart and called him a true "Israelite in whom there is no guile."  Nathanael, like Jacob, hungered for God and believed.  Nathanael, seeker of God, waiting for the fulfillment of God's promises, was willing to meet Jesus and see whether he might be the Messiah.
The fig tree was a sign of God's peace and blessing.  Rabbis often gathered their disciples under its shade to teach Scripture.  "He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit."  There Nathanael recognized Jesus as Messiah, "Son of God and King of Israel."
In Jacob's dream, God opened a door for Jacob that brought him and his people into a new relationship with God.  God revealed his angels, showed him the throne of heaven, and him that he and his descendants would dwell with God.  Jesus promises to open the way for access God's throne, fulfilling God's promise to Jacob and his descendants; he's the is the way to the Father, the true ladder/stairway uniting earth with heaven.  In Jesus' incarnation heaven and earth unite; God makes his dwelling with us and brings us into the reality of his kingdom through his Son.  Jesus opens the way for us to "ascend to heaven" and bring "heaven to earth" in our daily lives.  God's kingdom is present in those who seek and follow him....
Dress legend
  • 'LOVE' suspenders sticker:  Love one another... (1st reading)
  • 'Gun' pin:  ...not like Cain who slaughtered his brother....  If you hate your brother, you're a murderer.(1st reading)
  • 'Heart' pin:  God is greater than our hearts.  Reassure your heart.... If our hearts don't condemn us... (1st reading)
  • 'Musical notes with "joy"' tie pin:  Sing joyfully to the Lord (psalm)
  • 'Sheep' tie bar:  We're the flock the Lord tends (psalm)
  • 'Eyeball' pin:  "Come and see" (gospel)
  • 'Tree' pin:  "I saw you under the fig tree" (gospel)
  • 'Crown' tie bar:  Nathanael:  "You're the Son of God, the King of Israel" (gospel)
  • 'Angel' pin:  You'll see angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man" (gospel)
  • White shirt:  Color of today's memorial
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