Reading 1
Gn 3:1-8
Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals
that the LORD God had made.
The serpent asked the woman,
“Did God really tell you not to eat
from any of the trees in the garden?”
The woman answered the serpent:
“We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden;
it is only about the fruit of the tree
in the middle of the garden that God said,
‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’”
But the serpent said to the woman:
“You certainly will not die!
No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it
your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods
who know what is good and what is evil.”
The woman saw that the tree was good for food,
pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom.
So she took some of its fruit and ate it;
and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her,
and he ate it.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened,
and they realized that they were naked;
so they sewed fig leaves together
and made loincloths for themselves.
When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the garden
at the breezy time of the day,
the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God
among the trees of the garden.
Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
Responsorial PsalmR. (1a)
Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Gospel
Mk 7:31-37
Jesus left the district of Tyre
and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,
into the district of the Decapolis.
And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment
and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd.
He put his finger into the man’s ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”)
And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly.
He ordered them not to tell anyone.
But the more he ordered them not to,
the more they proclaimed it.
They were exceedingly astonished and they said,
“He has done all things well.
He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Meditation: Genesis 3:1-8
“The man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord.” (Genesis 3:8)
What a revealing statement! This one act of disobedience by the man and the woman had such a devastating effect that they felt the need to hide from God. They knew that something had gone terribly wrong, and they couldn’t bear to show themselves to God in their new condition.
This sad story gives us a dramatic illustration of the effects of sin. We all know that something is out of order deep down in our hearts, and we try to hide it, both from God and from the people around us. Rather than turn to God for help, we keep it secret out of an unhealthy combination of pride and shame. Of course, we know that hiding our sin doesn’t make it go away. Who among us has not at some point felt bound by the envy, lust, pride, rage, or greed that lurks in our hearts? Who among us has not experienced the results of our sin&mdashthe guilt, fear, alienation, and division that are the sad legacy of our first parents’ sin?
It’s a good thing, once in a while, to recall the core of the gospel message: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” And it is just as good to join St. Paul in identifying personally with that fact: “Of these [sinners] I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15). It is a simple fact: We are all sinners. We are all in desperate need of the redemption that only Jesus can give. And all he asks is that we confess our sin and ask him to set us free.
Don’t be afraid of Confession! After all, Jesus came not to condemn you but to save you. By his cross, he has set you free from slavery to sin. And by his Holy Spirit, he has given you the grace to turn away from sin and the courage to keep saying “no” to temptations whenever they arise. Don’t be like Adam and Eve, trying to hide from God. Come into his light, and let that light give you his healing and warmth!
“Thank you, Lord, for dying on the cross to save me from sin. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit. Help me to turn from sin today so that I can draw closer to you.”
11 February 2011
10 February 2011
10 Feb 2011, Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin
Reading 1
Gn 2:18-25
The LORD God said:
“It is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make a suitable partner for him.”
So the LORD God formed out of the ground
various wild animals and various birds of the air,
and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them;
whatever the man called each of them would be its name.
The man gave names to all the cattle,
all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals;
but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.
So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man,
and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs
and closed up its place with flesh.
The LORD God then built up into a woman
the rib that he had taken from the man.
When he brought her to the man, the man said:
“This one, at last, is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called ‘woman,’
for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother
and clings to his wife,
and the two of them become one flesh.
The man and his wife were both naked, yet they felt no shame.
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 1a)
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Gospel
Mk 7:24-30
Jesus went to the district of Tyre.
He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it,
but he could not escape notice.
Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him.
She came and fell at his feet.
The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth,
and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.
He said to her, “Let the children be fed first.
For it is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She replied and said to him,
“Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”
Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go.
The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed
and the demon gone.
Meditation: Genesis 2:18-25
“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
In this charming story, God creates man from clay and creates everything else for his enjoyment. Yet something is missing. A solitary human being is incomplete, and even the most special pet cannot make up for it. In the end, God takes a piece of the man’s own flesh and makes a partner who complements him perfectly.
When he is presented with God’s handiwork, Adam is awe-struck. He immediately recognizes that this creature is able to fill the void he has been feeling, and he cries out: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23).
Adam knows that he doesn’t need a yes-man, someone to echo his thoughts and carry out his plans. No, he recognizes Eve as “flesh of his flesh” and yet delight-fully different from himself. As every husband and wife will attest, that difference can be mystifying and frustrating at times. But the love they experience for each other tells them that with patient observation and intimate conversation, they can grow to understand each other more and more—and their love can grow deeper and deeper.
While this passage has much to teach us about the joys and blessings of marriage, it tells us just as much about the joys and blessings of friendship. God didn’t intend for us to live in isolation. No, he created us for relationship.
So treasure your friendships. Cherish your husband or wife. Of course they are not exactly like you. That’s part of the beauty of relationships. God gives us people whose strengths complement our weaknesses. He gives us friends who help us stay honest with ourselves so that we don’t get caught in a trap of self-congratulation. The moment we let our differences overshadow our love for each other is the moment we need to change our thinking and recall the gift that they are to us.
May we always let our love for each other cover the flaws we think we see. Remember: It is not good for us to be alone!
“Father, thank you for placing other people in my life. Help me to see you in their faces, and teach me how to share myself with them.”
Gn 2:18-25
The LORD God said:
“It is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make a suitable partner for him.”
So the LORD God formed out of the ground
various wild animals and various birds of the air,
and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them;
whatever the man called each of them would be its name.
The man gave names to all the cattle,
all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals;
but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.
So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man,
and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs
and closed up its place with flesh.
The LORD God then built up into a woman
the rib that he had taken from the man.
When he brought her to the man, the man said:
“This one, at last, is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called ‘woman,’
for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother
and clings to his wife,
and the two of them become one flesh.
The man and his wife were both naked, yet they felt no shame.
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 1a)
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Gospel
Mk 7:24-30
Jesus went to the district of Tyre.
He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it,
but he could not escape notice.
Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him.
She came and fell at his feet.
The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth,
and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.
He said to her, “Let the children be fed first.
For it is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She replied and said to him,
“Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”
Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go.
The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed
and the demon gone.
Meditation: Genesis 2:18-25
“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
In this charming story, God creates man from clay and creates everything else for his enjoyment. Yet something is missing. A solitary human being is incomplete, and even the most special pet cannot make up for it. In the end, God takes a piece of the man’s own flesh and makes a partner who complements him perfectly.
When he is presented with God’s handiwork, Adam is awe-struck. He immediately recognizes that this creature is able to fill the void he has been feeling, and he cries out: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23).
Adam knows that he doesn’t need a yes-man, someone to echo his thoughts and carry out his plans. No, he recognizes Eve as “flesh of his flesh” and yet delight-fully different from himself. As every husband and wife will attest, that difference can be mystifying and frustrating at times. But the love they experience for each other tells them that with patient observation and intimate conversation, they can grow to understand each other more and more—and their love can grow deeper and deeper.
While this passage has much to teach us about the joys and blessings of marriage, it tells us just as much about the joys and blessings of friendship. God didn’t intend for us to live in isolation. No, he created us for relationship.
So treasure your friendships. Cherish your husband or wife. Of course they are not exactly like you. That’s part of the beauty of relationships. God gives us people whose strengths complement our weaknesses. He gives us friends who help us stay honest with ourselves so that we don’t get caught in a trap of self-congratulation. The moment we let our differences overshadow our love for each other is the moment we need to change our thinking and recall the gift that they are to us.
May we always let our love for each other cover the flaws we think we see. Remember: It is not good for us to be alone!
“Father, thank you for placing other people in my life. Help me to see you in their faces, and teach me how to share myself with them.”
09 February 2011
09 Feb 2011, Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17
At the time when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens
while as yet there was no field shrub on earth
and no grass of the field had sprouted,
for the LORD God had sent no rain upon the earth
and there was no man to till the soil,
but a stream was welling up out of the earth
and was watering all the surface of the groundB
the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground
and blew into his nostrils the breath of life,
and so man became a living being.
Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east,
and he placed there the man whom he had formed.
Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow
that were delightful to look at and good for food,
with the tree of life in the middle of the garden
and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The LORD God then took the man
and settled him in the garden of Eden,
to cultivate and care for it.
The LORD God gave man this order:
“You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden
except the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
From that tree you shall not eat;
the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die.”
Ps 104:1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30
Responsorial PsalmR. (1a)
O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
All creatures look to you
to give them food in due time.
When you give it to them, they gather it;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
Gospel
Mk 7:14-23
Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.”
When he got home away from the crowd
his disciples questioned him about the parable.
He said to them,
“Are even you likewise without understanding?
Do you not realize that everything
that goes into a person from outside cannot defile,
since it enters not the heart but the stomach
and passes out into the latrine?”
(Thus he declared all foods clean.)
“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.
From within the man, from his heart,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.”
Meditation: Mark 7:14-23
“What comes out of a person, that is what defiles.” (Mark 7:20)
Have you ever felt like you were leading two different lives? On the one hand, there’s the “you” that everyone sees on a daily basis. It’s the personality you project to the world, maybe even to your closest friends and loved ones. But on the other hand, there may be a “you” that you keep hidden—a person who is hiding sins and imperfections, always trying to put on a good show.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus explains that the origins of sin and defilement are in the dispositions of the heart. In other words, the out-ward expressions of sin—cheating, lying, stealing, acts of impurity—all start as germs of thought and desire in our hearts. Think of an iceberg: A small portion is visible, but the biggest chunk of ice is below the surface. A ship’s captain may think that the tip of the iceberg is just a chunk of floating ice, nothing worth worrying about. But if he fails to account for the foundation, the results could be disastrous. In a similar way, if we discount our own sins as random acts of disobedience without dealing with what is churning away in our hearts, we too are asking for trouble. The hidden portion of the iceberg is still there and still very dangerous.
Experience tells us that what is in our hearts will eventually affect our behavior and our relation-ships. Holding on to sin in secret will darken our spiritual clarity and wound our friends and family members—often in ways we may not expect. And then there is also the stress we experience from trying to keep parts of our lives in the dark and having to keep up an act.
Imagine how much peace we would have if our inner hearts and outer lives truly were reflections of Christ. Today, let’s try to do just that, by bringing our inner darkness into the light of Christ. The best place to do this is in the confessional, but even in our daily lives, through the gift of repentance, we can begin the process of healing and reconciliation. Come clean to the Lord, and watch to see how he brings peace and clarity to your heart!
“Lord, search me and show me my weaknesses so that I can be strengthened in your grace.”
Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17
At the time when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens
while as yet there was no field shrub on earth
and no grass of the field had sprouted,
for the LORD God had sent no rain upon the earth
and there was no man to till the soil,
but a stream was welling up out of the earth
and was watering all the surface of the groundB
the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground
and blew into his nostrils the breath of life,
and so man became a living being.
Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east,
and he placed there the man whom he had formed.
Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow
that were delightful to look at and good for food,
with the tree of life in the middle of the garden
and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The LORD God then took the man
and settled him in the garden of Eden,
to cultivate and care for it.
The LORD God gave man this order:
“You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden
except the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
From that tree you shall not eat;
the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die.”
Ps 104:1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30
Responsorial PsalmR. (1a)
O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
All creatures look to you
to give them food in due time.
When you give it to them, they gather it;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
Gospel
Mk 7:14-23
Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.”
When he got home away from the crowd
his disciples questioned him about the parable.
He said to them,
“Are even you likewise without understanding?
Do you not realize that everything
that goes into a person from outside cannot defile,
since it enters not the heart but the stomach
and passes out into the latrine?”
(Thus he declared all foods clean.)
“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.
From within the man, from his heart,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.”
Meditation: Mark 7:14-23
“What comes out of a person, that is what defiles.” (Mark 7:20)
Have you ever felt like you were leading two different lives? On the one hand, there’s the “you” that everyone sees on a daily basis. It’s the personality you project to the world, maybe even to your closest friends and loved ones. But on the other hand, there may be a “you” that you keep hidden—a person who is hiding sins and imperfections, always trying to put on a good show.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus explains that the origins of sin and defilement are in the dispositions of the heart. In other words, the out-ward expressions of sin—cheating, lying, stealing, acts of impurity—all start as germs of thought and desire in our hearts. Think of an iceberg: A small portion is visible, but the biggest chunk of ice is below the surface. A ship’s captain may think that the tip of the iceberg is just a chunk of floating ice, nothing worth worrying about. But if he fails to account for the foundation, the results could be disastrous. In a similar way, if we discount our own sins as random acts of disobedience without dealing with what is churning away in our hearts, we too are asking for trouble. The hidden portion of the iceberg is still there and still very dangerous.
Experience tells us that what is in our hearts will eventually affect our behavior and our relation-ships. Holding on to sin in secret will darken our spiritual clarity and wound our friends and family members—often in ways we may not expect. And then there is also the stress we experience from trying to keep parts of our lives in the dark and having to keep up an act.
Imagine how much peace we would have if our inner hearts and outer lives truly were reflections of Christ. Today, let’s try to do just that, by bringing our inner darkness into the light of Christ. The best place to do this is in the confessional, but even in our daily lives, through the gift of repentance, we can begin the process of healing and reconciliation. Come clean to the Lord, and watch to see how he brings peace and clarity to your heart!
“Lord, search me and show me my weaknesses so that I can be strengthened in your grace.”
08 February 2011
08 Feb 2011, Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Gn 1:20-2:4a
God said,
“Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures,
and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky.”
And so it happened:
God created the great sea monsters
and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems,
and all kinds of winged birds.
God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying,
“Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas;
and let the birds multiply on the earth.”
Evening came, and morning followed–the fifth day.
Then God said,
“Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures:
cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.”
And so it happened:
God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle,
and all kinds of creeping things of the earth.
God saw how good it was.
Then God said:
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the air, and the cattle,
and over all the wild animals
and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.”
God created man in his image;
in the divine image he created him;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, saying:
“Be fertile and multiply;
fill the earth and subdue it.
Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air,
and all the living things that move on the earth.”
God also said:
“See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth
and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food;
and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air,
and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground,
I give all the green plants for food.”
And so it happened.
God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.
Evening came, and morning followed–the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed.
Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing,
he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.
So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,
because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.
Such is the story of the heavens and the earth at their creation.
Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Responsorial PsalmR. (2ab)
O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place—
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
Gospel
Mk 7:1-13
When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus,
they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals
with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.
(For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,
do not eat without carefully washing their hands,
keeping the tradition of the elders.
And on coming from the marketplace
they do not eat without purifying themselves.
And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed,
the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.)
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him,
“Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders
but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”
He responded,
“Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites,
as it is written:
This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”
He went on to say,
“How well you have set aside the commandment of God
in order to uphold your tradition!
For Moses said,
Honor your father and your mother,
and Whoever curses father or mother shall die.
Yet you say,
‘If someone says to father or mother,
“Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’
(meaning, dedicated to God),
you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother.
You nullify the word of God
in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.
And you do many such things.”
Meditation: Genesis 1:20–2:4
“God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
Yes, God’s creation is very good indeed! Think about plain old water. Not only is it necessary for life, but it is one of the most mesmerizing elements in the world. It forms the mighty seas, breathtaking rivers, and cascading waterfalls. It is the sub-stance of billowy clouds, grand ice-bergs, and intricately designed snow-flakes. Even the tiniest droplets can splay sunlight into a dazzling spectrum of color.
How beautiful this world is! And how wonderfully it reflects God’s own nature! Yet how many days do we live in this world without taking the time to see God’s hand in it! It can be so easy to rush through our daily duties and obligations, so wrapped up in our own little “world” that we don’t see the bigger—the more real—world around us. And not seeing the hand of God, we risk missing the work of God. Not reading the letter of love that he writes to us in the seas, the trees, and the skies, we risk not hearing his very voice in our hearts.
God is the Master Artisan whose intricate work of creation has the power to fill us with hope. Reflecting on the beauty of creation, Pope John
Paul II once said: For those who have attentive ears and unveiled eyes, creation is like a first revelation, which has its own eloquent language: It is almost like another sacred book whose letters are represented by the multitude of creatures present in the universe. St. John Chrysostom says: “The silence of the heavens is a voice that resounds more intensely than a trumpet. This voice cries to our eyes, and not to our ears, the grandeur of the one who made it.” And St. Athanasius wrote: “The firmament, through its magnificence, beauty and order, is a prestigious preacher of its author, whose eloquence fills the universe.” So look around you today. Take a
deep breath, quiet your mind, and let the world speak to you. If God can use dirt and air and water to create such stunning beauty, imagine what he can do with your heart— which he also declares “very good”!
“Father, open my eyes to your goodness and beauty today. Inspire me and lead me more deeply into the mystery of your love!”
Gn 1:20-2:4a
God said,
“Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures,
and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky.”
And so it happened:
God created the great sea monsters
and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems,
and all kinds of winged birds.
God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying,
“Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas;
and let the birds multiply on the earth.”
Evening came, and morning followed–the fifth day.
Then God said,
“Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures:
cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.”
And so it happened:
God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle,
and all kinds of creeping things of the earth.
God saw how good it was.
Then God said:
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the air, and the cattle,
and over all the wild animals
and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.”
God created man in his image;
in the divine image he created him;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, saying:
“Be fertile and multiply;
fill the earth and subdue it.
Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air,
and all the living things that move on the earth.”
God also said:
“See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth
and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food;
and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air,
and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground,
I give all the green plants for food.”
And so it happened.
God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.
Evening came, and morning followed–the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed.
Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing,
he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.
So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,
because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.
Such is the story of the heavens and the earth at their creation.
Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Responsorial PsalmR. (2ab)
O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place—
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet.
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
Gospel
Mk 7:1-13
When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus,
they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals
with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.
(For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,
do not eat without carefully washing their hands,
keeping the tradition of the elders.
And on coming from the marketplace
they do not eat without purifying themselves.
And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed,
the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.)
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him,
“Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders
but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”
He responded,
“Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites,
as it is written:
This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”
He went on to say,
“How well you have set aside the commandment of God
in order to uphold your tradition!
For Moses said,
Honor your father and your mother,
and Whoever curses father or mother shall die.
Yet you say,
‘If someone says to father or mother,
“Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’
(meaning, dedicated to God),
you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother.
You nullify the word of God
in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.
And you do many such things.”
Meditation: Genesis 1:20–2:4
“God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
Yes, God’s creation is very good indeed! Think about plain old water. Not only is it necessary for life, but it is one of the most mesmerizing elements in the world. It forms the mighty seas, breathtaking rivers, and cascading waterfalls. It is the sub-stance of billowy clouds, grand ice-bergs, and intricately designed snow-flakes. Even the tiniest droplets can splay sunlight into a dazzling spectrum of color.
How beautiful this world is! And how wonderfully it reflects God’s own nature! Yet how many days do we live in this world without taking the time to see God’s hand in it! It can be so easy to rush through our daily duties and obligations, so wrapped up in our own little “world” that we don’t see the bigger—the more real—world around us. And not seeing the hand of God, we risk missing the work of God. Not reading the letter of love that he writes to us in the seas, the trees, and the skies, we risk not hearing his very voice in our hearts.
God is the Master Artisan whose intricate work of creation has the power to fill us with hope. Reflecting on the beauty of creation, Pope John
Paul II once said: For those who have attentive ears and unveiled eyes, creation is like a first revelation, which has its own eloquent language: It is almost like another sacred book whose letters are represented by the multitude of creatures present in the universe. St. John Chrysostom says: “The silence of the heavens is a voice that resounds more intensely than a trumpet. This voice cries to our eyes, and not to our ears, the grandeur of the one who made it.” And St. Athanasius wrote: “The firmament, through its magnificence, beauty and order, is a prestigious preacher of its author, whose eloquence fills the universe.” So look around you today. Take a
deep breath, quiet your mind, and let the world speak to you. If God can use dirt and air and water to create such stunning beauty, imagine what he can do with your heart— which he also declares “very good”!
“Father, open my eyes to your goodness and beauty today. Inspire me and lead me more deeply into the mystery of your love!”
07 February 2011
07 Feb 2011, Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Gn1:1-19
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth,
the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss,
while a mighty wind swept over the waters.
Then God said,
“Let there be light,” and there was light.
God saw how good the light was.
God then separated the light from the darkness.
God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.”
Thus evening came, and morning followed–the first day.
Then God said,
“Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters,
to separate one body of water from the other.”
And so it happened:
God made the dome,
and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it.
God called the dome “the sky.”
Evening came, and morning followed–the second day.
Then God said,
“Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin,
so that the dry land may appear.”
And so it happened:
the water under the sky was gathered into its basin,
and the dry land appeared.
God called the dry land “the earth,”
and the basin of the water he called “the sea.”
God saw how good it was.
Then God said,
“Let the earth bring forth vegetation:
every kind of plant that bears seed
and every kind of fruit tree on earth
that bears fruit with its seed in it.”
And so it happened:
the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed
and every kind of fruit tree on earth that
bears fruit with its seed in it.
God saw how good it was.
Evening came, and morning followed–the third day.
Then God said:
“Let there be lights in the dome of the sky,
to separate day from night.
Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years,
and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky,
to shed light upon the earth.”
And so it happened:
God made the two great lights,
the greater one to govern the day,
and the lesser one to govern the night;
and he made the stars.
God set them in the dome of the sky,
to shed light upon the earth,
to govern the day and the night,
and to separate the light from the darkness.
God saw how good it was.
Evening came, and morning followed–the fourth day.
Ps 104:1-2a, 5-6, 10 and 12, 24 and 35c
Responsorial PsalmR. (31b)
May the Lord be glad in his works.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
R. May the Lord be glad in his works.
You fixed the earth upon its foundation,
not to be moved forever;
With the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it;
above the mountains the waters stood.
R. May the Lord be glad in his works.
You send forth springs into the watercourses
that wind among the mountains.
Beside them the birds of heaven dwell;
from among the branches they send forth their song.
R. May the Lord be glad in his works.
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all—
the earth is full of your creatures;
Bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia.
R. May the Lord be glad in his works.
Gospel
Mk 6:53-56
After making the crossing to the other side of the sea,
Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret
and tied up there.
As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.
They scurried about the surrounding country
and began to bring in the sick on mats
to wherever they heard he was.
Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered,
they laid the sick in the marketplaces
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak;
and as many as touched it were healed.
Meditation: Genesis 1:1-19
“God said… . And so it happened.” (Genesis 1:6)
Life can be chaotic at times. So many issues compete for our time and attention that we risk losing sight of the Lord and his presence. Whenever we feel ourselves getting caught up in the busyness of our lives, it’s a good idea to get back to the basics—and to do that by going back to the beginning! We can recall how, at the very start of creation, God spoke order into chaos, light into darkness. We can recall how by simply speaking a word, he brought into existence the very thing that he spoke.
This may sound terribly theological and theoretical, but it is far more practical than that! For God, who never changes, is still speaking words to us. He is still bringing new life into being—in our very hearts! For instance, in Confession, when we hear the priest say: “I absolve you of all your sins,” our sins really have been forgiven! Likewise at Mass, when we hear: “This is my body, which will be given up for you,” Jesus really does become present in a new and powerful way.
How can we hear God’s voice? By listening! A good strategy is to buy yourself a notebook or a prayer journal. Every time you think God is speaking to you—through a prayer at Mass, as you read the Scriptures, as you ponder a beautiful sunset— write down what you think he is saying. These little notes can help show you how much God is at work. They can also give you greater confidence in his ability to bring forth the very words he is speaking.
When your life starts to feel chaotic, go back to your journal and recall a time when you felt particularly close to God. Let that memory spur you to listen for him again. Maybe he gave you a sense that he would never abandon you. Maybe he lightened an emotional burden you were carrying or comforted you after the loss of a loved one. Let these times encourage you to quiet your heart and listen again.
Never doubt that God wants to speak to you. He loves to speak peace into our lives. So stop and listen today. He who spoke everything into existence has a word for you!
“Lord, open my ears! I believe that your word can touch and transform me.”
Gn1:1-19
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth,
the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss,
while a mighty wind swept over the waters.
Then God said,
“Let there be light,” and there was light.
God saw how good the light was.
God then separated the light from the darkness.
God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.”
Thus evening came, and morning followed–the first day.
Then God said,
“Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters,
to separate one body of water from the other.”
And so it happened:
God made the dome,
and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it.
God called the dome “the sky.”
Evening came, and morning followed–the second day.
Then God said,
“Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin,
so that the dry land may appear.”
And so it happened:
the water under the sky was gathered into its basin,
and the dry land appeared.
God called the dry land “the earth,”
and the basin of the water he called “the sea.”
God saw how good it was.
Then God said,
“Let the earth bring forth vegetation:
every kind of plant that bears seed
and every kind of fruit tree on earth
that bears fruit with its seed in it.”
And so it happened:
the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed
and every kind of fruit tree on earth that
bears fruit with its seed in it.
God saw how good it was.
Evening came, and morning followed–the third day.
Then God said:
“Let there be lights in the dome of the sky,
to separate day from night.
Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years,
and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky,
to shed light upon the earth.”
And so it happened:
God made the two great lights,
the greater one to govern the day,
and the lesser one to govern the night;
and he made the stars.
God set them in the dome of the sky,
to shed light upon the earth,
to govern the day and the night,
and to separate the light from the darkness.
God saw how good it was.
Evening came, and morning followed–the fourth day.
Ps 104:1-2a, 5-6, 10 and 12, 24 and 35c
Responsorial PsalmR. (31b)
May the Lord be glad in his works.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
R. May the Lord be glad in his works.
You fixed the earth upon its foundation,
not to be moved forever;
With the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it;
above the mountains the waters stood.
R. May the Lord be glad in his works.
You send forth springs into the watercourses
that wind among the mountains.
Beside them the birds of heaven dwell;
from among the branches they send forth their song.
R. May the Lord be glad in his works.
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all—
the earth is full of your creatures;
Bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia.
R. May the Lord be glad in his works.
Gospel
Mk 6:53-56
After making the crossing to the other side of the sea,
Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret
and tied up there.
As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.
They scurried about the surrounding country
and began to bring in the sick on mats
to wherever they heard he was.
Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered,
they laid the sick in the marketplaces
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak;
and as many as touched it were healed.
Meditation: Genesis 1:1-19
“God said… . And so it happened.” (Genesis 1:6)
Life can be chaotic at times. So many issues compete for our time and attention that we risk losing sight of the Lord and his presence. Whenever we feel ourselves getting caught up in the busyness of our lives, it’s a good idea to get back to the basics—and to do that by going back to the beginning! We can recall how, at the very start of creation, God spoke order into chaos, light into darkness. We can recall how by simply speaking a word, he brought into existence the very thing that he spoke.
This may sound terribly theological and theoretical, but it is far more practical than that! For God, who never changes, is still speaking words to us. He is still bringing new life into being—in our very hearts! For instance, in Confession, when we hear the priest say: “I absolve you of all your sins,” our sins really have been forgiven! Likewise at Mass, when we hear: “This is my body, which will be given up for you,” Jesus really does become present in a new and powerful way.
How can we hear God’s voice? By listening! A good strategy is to buy yourself a notebook or a prayer journal. Every time you think God is speaking to you—through a prayer at Mass, as you read the Scriptures, as you ponder a beautiful sunset— write down what you think he is saying. These little notes can help show you how much God is at work. They can also give you greater confidence in his ability to bring forth the very words he is speaking.
When your life starts to feel chaotic, go back to your journal and recall a time when you felt particularly close to God. Let that memory spur you to listen for him again. Maybe he gave you a sense that he would never abandon you. Maybe he lightened an emotional burden you were carrying or comforted you after the loss of a loved one. Let these times encourage you to quiet your heart and listen again.
Never doubt that God wants to speak to you. He loves to speak peace into our lives. So stop and listen today. He who spoke everything into existence has a word for you!
“Lord, open my ears! I believe that your word can touch and transform me.”
05 February 2011
06 Feb 2011, Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Is 58:7-10
Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
If you remove from your midst
oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday.
Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Responsorial PsalmR. (4a)
The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
His justice shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
1 Cor 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of Spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.
Gospel
Mt 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Meditation: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
“… so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:5)
Let’s talk about miracles. They were a regular part of Jesus’ ministry, and he even promised that we would do greater things than he did (John 14:12). So why don’t we see more miracles—either in the church or in our own lives?
Do you remember how, when he visited his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus was unable to perform many miracles because of the people’s lack of faith (Mark 6:1-6)? It’s not the only factor, but perhaps we should examine our own faith to see how deeply we trust in God’s power.
In today’s second reading, Paul tells the Corinthians that when he came to them, he didn’t rely on elo-quence or persuasive words but on heavenly power. Of course, Paul preached and reasoned with them.
Of course he encouraged them to search the Scriptures. But at the same time, he made sure that he left room for God to work mira-cles in their lives. He wanted the Corinthians to experience God so that their faith would be dynamic, life-changing, and full.
Let’s challenge our thinking today. God loves us, and he wants to work wonders in us and around us. So let’s step out in faith. Let’s make it a normal part of our faith to pray for miracles. We can start small, maybe by praying for a parking space or good weather. We can pray that our children do well on a test at school or that a meeting at work will go well. As our confidence grows, we can pray that God will help repair a wounded relationship or even heal a friend who is sick. All we have to do is begin to trust and pray; our Father will take care of the rest.
Jesus told us to ask and seek and knock. So let’s knock on his door every day. He wants to give us good things, if only we will ask and believe!
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”
Is 58:7-10
Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
If you remove from your midst
oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday.
Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Responsorial PsalmR. (4a)
The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
His justice shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
1 Cor 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of Spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.
Gospel
Mt 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Meditation: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
“… so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:5)
Let’s talk about miracles. They were a regular part of Jesus’ ministry, and he even promised that we would do greater things than he did (John 14:12). So why don’t we see more miracles—either in the church or in our own lives?
Do you remember how, when he visited his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus was unable to perform many miracles because of the people’s lack of faith (Mark 6:1-6)? It’s not the only factor, but perhaps we should examine our own faith to see how deeply we trust in God’s power.
In today’s second reading, Paul tells the Corinthians that when he came to them, he didn’t rely on elo-quence or persuasive words but on heavenly power. Of course, Paul preached and reasoned with them.
Of course he encouraged them to search the Scriptures. But at the same time, he made sure that he left room for God to work mira-cles in their lives. He wanted the Corinthians to experience God so that their faith would be dynamic, life-changing, and full.
Let’s challenge our thinking today. God loves us, and he wants to work wonders in us and around us. So let’s step out in faith. Let’s make it a normal part of our faith to pray for miracles. We can start small, maybe by praying for a parking space or good weather. We can pray that our children do well on a test at school or that a meeting at work will go well. As our confidence grows, we can pray that God will help repair a wounded relationship or even heal a friend who is sick. All we have to do is begin to trust and pray; our Father will take care of the rest.
Jesus told us to ask and seek and knock. So let’s knock on his door every day. He wants to give us good things, if only we will ask and believe!
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”
05 Feb 2011, Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr
Reading 1
Heb 13:15-17, 20-21
Brothers and sisters:
Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise,
that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have;
God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.
Obey your leaders and defer to them,
for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account,
that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow,
for that would be of no advantage to you.
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Responsorial PsalmR. (1)
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Gospel
Mk 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things
Meditation: Mark 6:30-34
“Come away … and rest.” (Mark 6:31)
What a gracious, kind invitation Jesus made to the twelve! It seems that everyone wanted something from him—healing, deliverance, advice, even a good theological dispute. But Jesus made sure that he spent time with his apostles, teaching them how to find rest in God’s presence. He wanted to help them find the right balance between serving God and giving God a chance to serve them and tend to their needs.
Balance. Isn’t that one of the biggest challenges we all face? In a world that emphasizes accomplishments and achievement, the call to rest with the Lord and receive his blessing can sound narrow and self-indulgent. But the truth is that we all need to spend time alone with Jesus. We all need to come to him in the quiet of our hearts and let him minister to us. For without this time alone with the Lord, we will have nothing to offer the people we are serving and caring for.
Writing about prayer, the Jesuit theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar, once said: “Harassed by life, exhausted, we look about us for somewhere to be quiet, to be genuine, a place of refreshment. We yearn to restore our spirits in God, to simply let go in him and gain new strength to go on living… . In a field of quiet, there lies waiting for us a hidden treasure.”
Don’t give up on that treasure! Don’t let the world convince you that you have all the resources you need to face the challenges of life! Every day, Jesus has special gifts set aside for you—treasures that he knows you will need as you face the ups and downs of the day. These treasures may include a verse from Scripture that you can share with a loved one, a warm embrace from his Spirit to support you in a tough situation, or a dose of courage to help you in the fight against temptation.
So take Jesus’ words to heart today. He is calling you right now: “Come away with me.” Let’s all carve out a time and a place today where we can go with him to rest, to be taught, and to be loved. “Jesus, I am amazed at how deeply you love to be with me.
Here I am, Lord!”
Heb 13:15-17, 20-21
Brothers and sisters:
Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise,
that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have;
God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.
Obey your leaders and defer to them,
for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account,
that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow,
for that would be of no advantage to you.
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Responsorial PsalmR. (1)
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Gospel
Mk 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things
Meditation: Mark 6:30-34
“Come away … and rest.” (Mark 6:31)
What a gracious, kind invitation Jesus made to the twelve! It seems that everyone wanted something from him—healing, deliverance, advice, even a good theological dispute. But Jesus made sure that he spent time with his apostles, teaching them how to find rest in God’s presence. He wanted to help them find the right balance between serving God and giving God a chance to serve them and tend to their needs.
Balance. Isn’t that one of the biggest challenges we all face? In a world that emphasizes accomplishments and achievement, the call to rest with the Lord and receive his blessing can sound narrow and self-indulgent. But the truth is that we all need to spend time alone with Jesus. We all need to come to him in the quiet of our hearts and let him minister to us. For without this time alone with the Lord, we will have nothing to offer the people we are serving and caring for.
Writing about prayer, the Jesuit theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar, once said: “Harassed by life, exhausted, we look about us for somewhere to be quiet, to be genuine, a place of refreshment. We yearn to restore our spirits in God, to simply let go in him and gain new strength to go on living… . In a field of quiet, there lies waiting for us a hidden treasure.”
Don’t give up on that treasure! Don’t let the world convince you that you have all the resources you need to face the challenges of life! Every day, Jesus has special gifts set aside for you—treasures that he knows you will need as you face the ups and downs of the day. These treasures may include a verse from Scripture that you can share with a loved one, a warm embrace from his Spirit to support you in a tough situation, or a dose of courage to help you in the fight against temptation.
So take Jesus’ words to heart today. He is calling you right now: “Come away with me.” Let’s all carve out a time and a place today where we can go with him to rest, to be taught, and to be loved. “Jesus, I am amazed at how deeply you love to be with me.
Here I am, Lord!”
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