February 4, 2018

5th Sun., Ordinary Time

February 4, 2018:  Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

  • 'When I grow up...' tie:  "I became all things to all..." (2nd reading)
  • 'Pierced hearts' suspenders:  "Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted" (psalm)
  • 'Star' tie pin:  The Lord tells the number of the stars (psalm)
  • 'Phone' tie bar:  He calls each by name (psalm)
  • 'Owl' tie pin:  There's no limit to our Lord's wisdom and power (psalm)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  Jesus grasped her hand and helped her up (gospel)
  • 'Car' pin:  Jesus 'drove' out many demons (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
Listen

For Psalm 147
  • Fever/ Cooley, Blackwell (gospel-inspired)
Jesus' miracles awakened faith and urged his followers to serve the Lord and others.  Through healing the sick, he invited those present to respond in faith.  Healing of the body aims at healing the heart.  Once Jesus intervenes and you're freed from the grip of evil and regain your strength, you're invited to serve.
The townspeople crowded in front of where Jesus lived and brought the sick to him.  Jesus' powerful, liberating, renewing action is directed to a humanity scarred by suffering.
Jesus finds a secluded place to pray.  He didn't want people to misinterpret the power of his miracles.  His miracles require a response of faith, and they're accompanied by words that enlighten, arouse faith, and lead to conversion.  Go take Jesus' mission and saving message to the world!
Read

  • Jb 7:1-4, 6-7  Job:  Our life is drudgery; we're slaves.  I've been given misery, restlessness; I won't see happiness.
    'Thermometer' cloud
    (animate)
  • Ps 147:1-6  "Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted."  The Lord is good, gracious, wise, mighty; he gathers the dispersed, binds wounds, calls by name, sustains the lowly...
  • 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23  Preaching the gospel is my obligation; I offer it free.  I've made myself a slave to win many over.  I've become all things to all, to save at least some.  I do this for the gospel's sake, so that I may have a share.
  • Mk 1:29-39  Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.  Jesus grasped her hand, and helped her up; the fever left and she waited on them.  They brought him the sick and possessed; he cured many and drove out demons.  He rose early and left to pray, then went with his disciples to nearby villages to preach and drive out demons.
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Jesus spent the day healing the sick, and they kept coming. Jesus had to be worn out but kept serving. When he awoke, he found a deserted place to pray. Throughout Mark, Jesus appears to not want anyone know who he is; he just wants to proclaim the good news and heal.  How many servants fall away because of pride?  They make a name for themselves, then spend time marketing.  Jesus shows that it's possible to remain a humble servant even when you're famous; he never forgets his mission.  May God help us remember why we're sent and fulfill our calling as servants.
    Christ healing the mother of Simon Peter's wife/ Bridges
  • One Bread, One Body:  "I know my Redeemer lives":  Can you identify with Job in his misery?  God's plan is to be with us in our difficulties, not to spare us from them.  'Emmanuel' = "God is with us." Our actions in times of distress tell God whether we want Jesus with us or just want to be spared adversity.  With Jesus we can face adversity with hope, even joy.  "Though the fig tree blossom not,... though there be no herd in the stalls, I will rejoice in the Lord, my Strength."  Job saw the Lord even in his misery; he knew God was with him.  Know Jesus; know hope.  "Fix your eyes on Jesus."
  • Passionist:  "No rest for the good":  Once Simon's mother-in-law was healed, she waits on Jesus and his disciples, mirroring Jesus' generosity.  Then Jesus was called on to heal the crowds.  And he healed them!  Then he went away to pray, then to preach in other villages.  Paul says his missionary work comes from stewardship of God’s love shared with him; duty impels him to proclaim the Good News of Jesus.  Do I reflect the generous spirit of Jesus?  How do I spread the Good News?  How do I witness God’s love, life, and joy?  Go, grateful for your faith....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Imagine staying asleep with Jesus standing before your bed.  Jesus is here offering himself to us, but you don't recognize him.  'His kingdom is in your midst.'  Faith beholds Jesus among us.  If we can't take his hand, let us prostrate ourselves at his feet and wash his feet with our tears.  Our repentance is his perfume" (St. Jerome).  Do I take my troubles to Jesus and allow him to be Lord and healer?  God restores us to health, service, and care of others.

February 3, 2018

Feb. 3

February 3, 2018:  Saturday, 4th week, Ordinary Time

See 15 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen
'Good Shepherd" music (gospel: "took pity on sheep without a shepherd") /upd/
Pope Francis to anti-usury group
Usury is a grave sin; it humiliates, kills life, stomps on human dignity, promotes corruption, and sets up obstacles to the common good.  This ancient evil must be prevented through education.  Teaching people to live a simple lifestyle, distinguishing the superfluous from the necessary, is the first step.  Financial education must make people responsible for their actions and help them not to take on debts to buy things they can do without.  The virtues of poverty and sacrifice need to be rediscovered.  Poverty keeps you from becoming a slave to things, and sacrifice makes you not expect everything from life.  Education against usury involves instilling an honest, legality-driven mindset, with a desire to help those in need through volunteer work.
By confronting usury and corruption, you give victims hope and strength, so they may recover trust and pick themselves up.  We need a new economic humanism that ends the exclusionary and unfair economy that kills and reduces people to tools of a culture of waste.
Read
  • 1 Kgs 3:4-13  After Solomon offered sacrifice, the Lord offered to grant a request.  Solomon:  “Give me understanding to judge your people and distinguish right from wrong.”  God:  “Because you have asked for this instead of long life or riches, I give you unsurpassed wisdom, plus riches and glory you didn't ask for.”
  • Mk 6:30-34  The Apostles reported what they'd done and taught.  Jesus:  “Come away and rest.”  They went off in the boat, but people saw and followed.  Jesus, moved with pity at the shepherdless sheep, began to teach them.
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Solomon’s prayer for wisdom helps to put priorities in perspective.  Sometimes we're in a dilemma and need direction.  In the gospel, Jesus felt he needed to set out on a boat, likely to separate himself from the crowd's demands, but they still pressed about him.  We pray for what we need and find God gives us more than we ask for....
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Cardiac care":  Solomon asked for and received great wisdom and understanding, but his heart turned to idols.  Solomon's idolatry gave him "heart failure."  Mary's immaculate heart, though it was pierced, never suffered heart failure. Through her faithful, suffering heart, we receive help to accept her Son's graces to resist temptations and so avoid heart failure. If our hearts have already failed, she's praying for our repentance.  May we accept her as our mother and intercessor, and guard our heart.
    St. Blase
  • Passionist:  Solomon showed wisdom in his prayer for an understanding heart (vs. power or wealth...).  We need leaders with understanding, compassionate hearts to govern wisely and to care for the "least."  We need to be moved with pity for the "sheep without a shepherd" as Jesus was and pray for them.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Come away and rest a while":  Shepherding required great skill and courage. Herds often numbered thousands, and watching over them took great attention and care.  Shepherds had to seek out the strays and bring them back.  They had to battle hyenas, jackals, wolves, and bears, putting their life on the line to defending the sheep.  Sheep and shepherds lived together.
The Old Testament spoke of God as shepherd of his people and pictured the Messiah as shepherd of God's people.  Jesus told his disciples he was the Good Shepherd willing to lay down his life for his sheep. When he saw people needing protection and care, he responded with compassionate concern.  He personally loved each person who came to him in need.  Peter called Jesus the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls.  Good Shepherd, help me submit my life to you and trust in your grace and help.

    • Blase (Blaise), bishop, missionary, martyr; see also Wikipedia.  “Through the intercession of St. Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil.”
Dress legend
  • 'Heart' pin:  "I give you a wise heart" (1st reading); "With all my heart I seek you and treasure your promise" (psalm); Jesus' heart was moved with pity for the crowd (gospel)
  • 'Fire' pin:  Solomon offered burnt offerings (1st reading)
  • 'Crown' tie bar:  "Lord, you have made me king" (1st reading)
  • 'Owl' tie pin:  Solomon asked for and received wisdom;... (1st reading)
  • 'Money bag' pin:  ...he also received riches and glory (1st reading)
  • 'Precious feet' pin:  People hastened to Jesus on foot (gospel)
  • 'Classroom' tie:  "Teach me your ways" (psalm); Jesus taught them many things (gospel); last day of Catholic Schools Week
  • 'Boat' tie bar:  Jesus and the apostles went in the boat to a deserted place (gospel)
  • 'Sheep' tie bar:  The crowds were like sheep without a shepherd (gospel)
  • Red shirt, 'blood drop' pin:  Today's martyrs

February 2, 2018

Presentation

February 2, 2018:  Presentation of the Lord

See 17 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

  • Thus saith the Lord/But who may abide the day of his coming?, from Messiah/ Handel:  traditional, "soulful" (1st reading)
For Psalm 24

Pope Francis

Homily:  In the East, today's feast is the “Feast of Encounter”:  the encounter between God, who became a child to renew our world, and expectant humanity, represented by the elderly man and woman in the Temple.

In the Temple, there is also an encounter between young Mary and Joseph and elderly Simeon and Anna. The old receive from the young; the young draw from the old.  Mary and Joseph find their people's roots; God’s promise is fulfilled within a community and in history.  They, and we, learn faith by living with God and from the experience of our ancestors. The young found themselves through meeting the old, and the older people received Jesus, the meaning of their lives. The event fulfilled Joel's prophecy.  In this encounter, with Jesus at the center, the young see their mission, and the elderly realize their dreams.

Our journey of consecration started from an encounter with the Lord and a call from him.  In that encounter there was also the people of God, young and old, as in today’s Gospel, where young Mary and Joseph observe the Law and never speak, and elderly Simeon and Anna prophesy.  We'd expect the young to speak about the future and the elderly to protect the past, but when we meet each other in the Lord, God surprises us.  We can't renew our encounter with the Lord without others; we must accompany one another, with the Lord at the center.  The young are to open new doors; the elderly hold the keys. There's no future without encounter between old and young, no growth without roots, no flowering without new buds, no prophecy without memory, no memory without prophecy, and encounter.

Today’s frantic pace leads us to close doors to encounter, but people are gifts from God to be cherished.  May we never look at our phone more than them.  When we focus on our projects, consecrated life forgets its roots and no longer flourishes or speaks to others.  Consecrated life is born of an encounter with Jesus poor, chaste, and obedient.  Our journey involves God’s initiative and our response, imitating Jesus in poverty, chastity, and obedience. While the fleeting world tries to take hold of us, consecrated life embraces the Everlasting One. The world pursues selfish desires; consecrated life frees us to love God and others.  Worldly life urges to do what we want; consecrated life chooses obedience as the greater freedom.  Worldly life leaves us empty; life in Jesus fills us with peace, as in the Gospel, where Simeon and Anna joyfully come to the sunset of their lives with the Lord in their arms.

How good it is for us to hold the Lord in our arms, in our hands, in all we do:  prayer, work, school, at table, on the phone, with the poor, everywhere.  Encounter with Jesus corrects saccharine piety and hyperactivity, remedies the paralysis of routine, and opens us up to the “havoc” of grace.  If we don't encounter Jesus and let him encounter us, we become stifled, disgruntled, bitter, and disappointed.  If we encounter Jesus and others daily, we won't be set on the past or future but will experience the “today of God” in peace.

The encounter of the women at the tomb with Jesus also inspires consecrated life. Their journey seemed a pointless encounter with the dead, as can yours in a world rejecting poverty, chastity, and obedience, but like them, move ahead, don't worry about stones that need to be removed, be the first to meet the risen Lord, cling to him, and go with joy to tell others, as the Church’s perennial dawn.  Renew your encounter with Jesus, and walk together towards him....  Full text

Prayer intention:  Corruption, a process of death, is at the root of slavery, unemployment, and disregard for nature and goods held in common.  The thirst for power and possessions knows no limits.  Speak about corruption, denounce it, and try to understand it so as to show resolve to make mercy reign over meanness, beauty over nothingness.  Pray that all may resist the lure of corruption.

At conference against religious violence:  God, lover of life, exhorts us to reject violence.  Violence is the negation of every authentic religious expression.  We must denounce violations of human dignity and rights, expose attempts to justify hatred in the name of religion, and condemn these attempts as idolatry.


Violence in the name of religion discredits religion and must be condemned.  God is goodness, love, and compassion, with no room for hatred, resentment, or vengeance.  It's blasphemy to justify sins, crimes, killing, enslavement, exploitation, oppression, or persecution by invoking God's name.  We must unmask any attempt to manipulate God to such ends.  Every human life is sacred and so deserves respect, esteem, compassion, and solidarity.  Adherence to a particular religion does not confer additional dignity or rights, nor does non-adherence diminish them.

We must all warn all those tempted by misguided religiosity.  This will help people of good will to encounter the One who frees us from fear, hatred, and violence and desires to use our creativity and energy to spread his plan of love and peace for all.

Read
    Turtle doves (gospel)
  • Mal 3:1-4  My messenger will prepare the way.  The Lord will come to the temple, but who will endure that day?  He, like the refiner’s fire, will purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer sacrifice pleasing to God.
  • Ps 24:7-10  "Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!"  Open up that the king of glory, strong and mighty, may enter!
    Two young pigeons (gospel)
  • Heb 2:14-18  Jesus shared in our flesh to free those subject to slavery.  He had to become like us to expiate sin.  Because he was tested through suffering, he can help those being tested.
  • Lk 2:22-40  Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to God.  Simeon prayed to their amazement:  “Master, you may let me go in peace; I've seen your salvation, a light to Gentiles and glory for Israel.” To Mary: “This child will be a sign to be contradicted, and a sword will pierce you.”  Prophetess Anna thanked God and spoke about the child.  Jesus grew and became strong and wise, and God's favor was on him.  They returned to Nazareth.
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Today's feast is called Presentation of the Lord, but “Presentation of Jesus” may be preferable since it's about the baby Jesus.  But the Church's title better catches Luke's apparent intention.  Gabriel had announced the unborn Jesus as Son of the Most High, Elizabeth had implicitly called the child in Mary’s womb Lord, and the angel had announced Jesus as “Messiah and Lord.”  So Luke is aware of the irony when he writes that Mary and Joseph “presented him to the Lord,” offering sacrifice in accord with the law of the Lord.  The child, to be proclaimed as Messiah and Lord, begins his earthly existence obedient to the Lord.  A further irony, the offering of the sacrifice to redeem the firstborn, is done for the One who will offer himself to redeem the world.  Simeon blesses God with language a slave might use upon being freed:  “Master, you may let your servant ('slave') go in peace.”  Then he describes Jesus as the suffering servant Israel, salvation in person, the glory of his people, a light for revelation to the gentiles, including us.  We who claim Jesus as Lord take that mission as ours.  Lord, teach us to receive Jesus as our light so deeply that we become light to those around us.
    Presentation of Christ
    in the Temple (Holbein)
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Present-able?"  In Jesus' Presentation, the small sacrifice prefigured Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. We're called to be like Mary and open our hearts to be pierced with suffering. We are called to worship, fast, and pray like Anna.  We should be like the candles blessed at today's Mass, consumed like Jesus to shine to the world.  We should be crucified with Christ and find joy in suffering according to the pattern of his death. The Presentation is no longer in the Temple but at the cross. May we present ourselves to the Lord.
  • Passionist:  Today's gospel is a clear and compelling affirmation of the value of life; it gathers the wisdom of age, the aspirations of a young family, and religious traditions that value the life and days of each member of the scenario.  Jesus is helpless, carried in his parents' arms to be presented in the Temple.  Though he's totally dependent on his parents, he's the promised savior, whom Mary carried to Elizabeth's house to meet unborn John the Baptist.  Now he's brought to the Temple for a ritual that acknowledges that life comes from God, and he belongs more to the Lord than to his parents.  Mary must have been reliving the past year's events:  the angel's visit, the fear that Joseph might repudiate her, the validation of her “yes” to God in Jesus' birth, Joseph's taking her as his wife, with only a dream to base his lifelong fidelity on.  God's promise to Simeon that he'd welcome the Savior was fulfilled.  Anna recognized in the Child the fulfillment of her hope, thanked God, and spoke about the Child to all awaiting Jerusalem's redemption, beginning the Church’s mission of evangelization.  No stage of life is removed from God's saving plan.  God is calling each of us into life to help redeem the world.  Infant Jesus, his parents, the senior citizens all speak of the importance of each life.  The willingness to accept all human life as the medium of God’s presence sets us apart from those for whom new life is inconvenient.  As long as the taking of any human life disturbs us and drives us to look for alternatives and ways to heal those who have made such decisions, we're not far from God's Kingdom.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "The favor of God was upon him":  Children are gifts from God.  Jesus was born in an ordinary home with no luxuries, and his parents raised him in the fear and wisdom of God.  He obeyed them and grew in wisdom and grace.  The Lord's favor is with those who listen to him with trust and obedience. / Simeon, in tune with the Spirit, believed the Lord would renew his people and also bring salvation to the Gentiles.  He recognized baby Jesus as the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies, hopes, and prayers and prophesied that Jesus would be "a revealing light to the Gentiles."  The Spirit reveals the Lord's presence to those open and eager to receive him. / Jesus is the new temple:  God manifested his presence in cloud and fire.  His glory dwelt over the ark and the tabernacle.  It rested on the first Jerusalem temple, and when the temple was destroyed, Ezekiel saw God's glory leave it.  But God promised to fill it with greater glory; later, the King of Glory came to his temple.  Through Jesus we're made living temples of the Spirit. / Simeon prophesied to Mary about Jesus' destiny and her suffering.  Her blessedness would become a sword that pierced her heart as her Son died.  But the sorrow didn't diminish her joy because of her faith, hope, and trust in God.  The Lord gives us joy that enables us to bear any sorrow or pain. / Spirit-filled Anna was a woman of great hope, a model of godliness to all who advance in age.  Her hope and faith fueled her prayer and service.  The Spirit gives hope to all who trust God; it enables us to persevere through any challenges.  May I give God everything I have....
Dress legend
  • 'Clocks' suspenders:  who shall endure the day of his coming? (1st reading)
  • 'Fire' pin:  He is like the refiner's fire (1st reading)
  • 'Crown' tie bar:  The Lord is the king of glory (psalm)
  • 'Blood drop' pin:  Jesus shared in blood and flesh like the children (2nd reading)
  • 'Christmas lights' tie:  Christ is a light to the nations (gospel); Christmas season used to extend through today
  • Gold- and silver-colored accessories:  The Lord will refine Levi like gold or silver (1st reading)
  • 'Angel' pin:  Jesus helped Abraham's descendants, not angels (2nd reading)
  • 'Dove' pin:  The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon (gospel)
  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  "Now you may let your servant go in peace"; Jesus will be 'sign' to be contradicted (gospel)
  • 'Eyeball' tie pin:  "My eyes have seen your salvation" (gospel)
  • 'Mary' pin:  "Mary, a sword will pierce you..." (gospel)
  • 'Heart' pin:  "...so the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (gospel)
  • 'Owl' pin:  Jesus grew in wisdom (gospel)
  • White shirt:  Color of today's feast of the Lord

February 1, 2018

Feb. 1

February 1, 2018:  Thursday, 4th week, Ordinary Time

See about a dozen connections with today?
Legend below

Listen

  • Two by two, from Two by Two/ Charnin, Rogers (really about the ark)
Pope Francis homily
Death is a fact, an inheritance, and a memory.  We're on a journey in time that begins and ends.  Pray for the grace of a sense of time; don't let the present moment imprison you, close you in on yourself.  Death affects everyone sooner or later.
But there is the temptation that brings you to wander in the selfish labyrinth of the moment, without a future.  The journey ends in death, but the Church reflects that our end is not death.
Repeat, “I'm not the master of time”; it saves us from the illusion of the moment, of viewing life as a series of individual moments, a transitory, senseless life.  We're on a journey and have to look forward, but remember death is a legacy, of memory.  Ask, “What would my legacy be if God called me today?  What would I leave as a testimony of my life?”  Prepare yourself, because none of us will remain as a relic.
Death is a memory, an anticipated memory to reflect on.  When I die, what would I like to have done in this decision I must make today?  Anticipated memory illuminates today.  Knowing we're on a journey leading to death will make us treat everyone well.
Read

  • 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12  David, dying, instructed Solomon:  “Take courage. Keep the mandate of the Lord, that you may succeed, and the Lord may fulfill his promise to keep one of our line on the throne.”  David rested with his ancestors after his 40-year reign.  Solomon was seated on the throne, his sovereignty firmly established.
  • Mk 6:7-13  Jesus sent out the Twelve two by two with authority over unclean spirits. “Take nothing but a walking stick.  When you enter a house, stay there.  Where they don't welcome or listen to you, leave and shake the dust off your feet.”  They went off and preached repentance, driving out many demons and curing many who were sick.

Reflect
  • Creighton:  From David to Solomon, from Jesus to his disciples, to us, the act of missioning continues.  We're sent into the world, asked to take nothing except our faith (our walking stick) and courage (our sandals).  We are to journey as we are, not cloaked with a second tunic of doubt and fear.  We can be weighed down by worry, fear, and the need to control.  We can lose sight of the grace we receive along the way.  Just as the disciples where sent out two by two, we're sent to serve together.  The world glorifies independence, not bad in itself, but we're created to work together.  Travel light, but not alone.
What weighs us down?  What gets in our way of doing God’s work?  Do we have the courage to go where we're sent, to move on when it's time, to lead and serve when it's difficult and inconvenient, to work for God's greater glory?  Do we have the courage?...
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Walk his way":  Backpackers know that if they don't travel light and wear the right gear, they'll be slowed down or even fail.  Jesus told his apostles to take almost nothing, except for sandals and a walking stick, which will help them cover ground without wearing out.  But Jesus also told them not to take food or money, only the good news; that takes supernatural trust in and abandonment to the Father. May we walk his way....
    Appearance on the mountain in Galilee
    Di Buoninsegna
  • Passionist:  Jesus summons his apostles and sends them out two by two.  Earlier, Mark has described Jesus' extraordinary healing ministry.  Mark is insistent that Jesus' mission is to liberate people from pain and death and restore them to life and dignity.  So it's no surprise that Jesus sends them out to anoint and cure the sick.  “Healing” is the most profound and comprehensive way to describe the Christian mission.  Anyone who has suffered serious illness or fought addiction knows that such experiences touch body, mind, spirit, family, social life, and work.  We may be physically healthy but suffer from depression, lingering anger, resentment at past hurts, and so on.  Pope Francis has described the church as a “field hospital” to heal the wounded, with the medicine of God's mercy (Cardinal Cupich).  Healing can take place through the medical arts, therapy, good parenting, fighting for justice, reconciling with those we've offended, comforting those who feel lost....  May we continue Jesus' healing ministry of Jesus, driving out evil and bringing peace.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Jesus gave them authority over sickness and unclean spirits":  Jesus commanded his apostles to heal the sick. cast out evil spirits, and speak God's word.  He wedded power and authority with self-sacrificing love and humility.  Jesus told them to travel light; poverty of spirit frees us from preoccupation with possessions and makes room for God's provision.  The Lord wants us to be dependent on him; he wants to work in and through us.  What authority and power does the Lord want you to exercise on his behalf?
Dress legend
  • 'Scroll' pin:  Observe the Lord's commands written in the law of Moses (1st reading)
  • 'Heart' pin:  'If your sons remain faithful with their whole heart..." (1st reading)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  "In your hand are power and might" (psalm)
  • Tie bar with two stones:  Jesus sent them two by two (gospel)
  • 'Wood block' tie pin:  Material to make walking sticks (gospel)
  • 'Precious feet' pin:  Shake the dust off your feet (gospel)
  • 'Doctor's office' tie:  The Apostles cured many... (gospel)
  • 'Car' tie pin:  ...and 'drove' out many demons (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
  • Sandals (not shown):  Wear sandals (gospel)
  • Belt (not shown):  Carry no money in your belt (gospel)