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.”
07 February 2011
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!”
04 February 2011
04 Feb 2011, Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Heb 13:1-8
Let brotherly love continue.
Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you also are in the body.
Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc
Responsorial PsalmR. (1a)
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
For he will hide me in his abode
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,
he will set me high upon a rock.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Gospel
Mk 6:14-29
King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,
and people were saying,
“John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;
That is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Others were saying, “He is Elijah”;
still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”
But when Herod learned of it, he said,
“It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”
Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,
and the leading men of Galilee.
His own daughter came in and performed a dance
that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask for?”
Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner
with orders to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter
and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Meditation: Hebrews 13:1-8
“Let mutual love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1)
Has this ever happened to you? The doorbell rings, and when you answer it, your heart drops because you have just opened the door to someone you don’t like very much. It’s not that you actively dislike this person, it’s more that your personalities don’t match, and the relationship takes a lot of work on your end. Your first instinct is to act as if you’re too busy for conversation, even though you aren’t. You know you should be more generous, but you just can’t seem to find it in yourself.
The author of Hebrews talks about mutual love—the very thing that Jesus commanded at the Last Supper, when he told his disciples: “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (John 13:34). So how do we do it, especially in situations like the one described above? Trying to conjure up the right amount of good will may work for a time, but we will eventually lose our energy. And we sense, too, that being completely honest and telling our would-be friend to leave us alone is both hurtful and wrong. In the end, we simply don’t have what it takes to put these words into practice.
And that’s exactly what God wants us to know! The love that Jesus commanded and that Hebrews exhorts us to is a love that can come to us only as a gift from the Holy Spirit. Jesus told us that it is easy to love those who treat us well— even the pagans do that (Matthew 5:46-47). But it takes nothing short of divine intervention to find the strength to love those people who are different from us, who have mistreated us, or who just plain rub us the wrong way. The only one who loves perfectly, the only one who can make room in his heart for everyone, is Jesus. And it is only by surrendering to him that we will find ourselves able to treat everyone with respect, honor, and love.
Do these words challenge you? Good! Let that challenge move you to seek the Lord more fully. Tell him that you need his love. Tell him that you want to become more like him. Let go of even the small judgments and prejudices you have so that you can look on everyone in the same way—as beloved children of God worthy of great respect, honor, and love.
“Jesus, reduce me to love!”
Heb 13:1-8
Let brotherly love continue.
Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you also are in the body.
Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc
Responsorial PsalmR. (1a)
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
For he will hide me in his abode
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,
he will set me high upon a rock.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Gospel
Mk 6:14-29
King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,
and people were saying,
“John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;
That is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Others were saying, “He is Elijah”;
still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”
But when Herod learned of it, he said,
“It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”
Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,
and the leading men of Galilee.
His own daughter came in and performed a dance
that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask for?”
Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner
with orders to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter
and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Meditation: Hebrews 13:1-8
“Let mutual love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1)
Has this ever happened to you? The doorbell rings, and when you answer it, your heart drops because you have just opened the door to someone you don’t like very much. It’s not that you actively dislike this person, it’s more that your personalities don’t match, and the relationship takes a lot of work on your end. Your first instinct is to act as if you’re too busy for conversation, even though you aren’t. You know you should be more generous, but you just can’t seem to find it in yourself.
The author of Hebrews talks about mutual love—the very thing that Jesus commanded at the Last Supper, when he told his disciples: “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (John 13:34). So how do we do it, especially in situations like the one described above? Trying to conjure up the right amount of good will may work for a time, but we will eventually lose our energy. And we sense, too, that being completely honest and telling our would-be friend to leave us alone is both hurtful and wrong. In the end, we simply don’t have what it takes to put these words into practice.
And that’s exactly what God wants us to know! The love that Jesus commanded and that Hebrews exhorts us to is a love that can come to us only as a gift from the Holy Spirit. Jesus told us that it is easy to love those who treat us well— even the pagans do that (Matthew 5:46-47). But it takes nothing short of divine intervention to find the strength to love those people who are different from us, who have mistreated us, or who just plain rub us the wrong way. The only one who loves perfectly, the only one who can make room in his heart for everyone, is Jesus. And it is only by surrendering to him that we will find ourselves able to treat everyone with respect, honor, and love.
Do these words challenge you? Good! Let that challenge move you to seek the Lord more fully. Tell him that you need his love. Tell him that you want to become more like him. Let go of even the small judgments and prejudices you have so that you can look on everyone in the same way—as beloved children of God worthy of great respect, honor, and love.
“Jesus, reduce me to love!”
03 February 2011
03 Feb 2011, Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Heb 12:18-19, 21-24
Brothers and sisters:
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said,
“I am terrified and trembling.”
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled Blood that speaks more eloquently
than that of Abel.
Ps 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 10)
O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”
the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God;
God makes it firm forever.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
O God, we ponder your mercy
within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Gospel
Mk 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Meditation: Hebrews 12:18-19,21-24
“You have approached Mount Zion.” (Hebrews 12:22)
Blazing fire. Gloomy darkness. A trumpet blast. A voice that caused its hearers to beg for silence. What a rousing, even frightening, picture of God! The author of Hebrews goes so far as to warn us: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Yes, this is our God. He is all-powerful. He is a consuming fire. And he never changes.
But no one can ever reduce God to just one attribute or one set of descriptors. This all-consuming fire is also our heavenly Father who waits patiently for us to come to him (Luke 15:20). This all-powerful world creator is also a mother hen eager to gather us together (Matthew 23:37). And this commanding law-giver is also a lover pursuing his beloved across space and time (Song of Songs 2:8-9).
Can you imagine the awesome privilege we have? Because of Christ, we are invited into a personal relationship with the God of the universe. We can enjoy fellowship—real, warm, personal companionship— with the One who holds the keys to heaven and hell. Because Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel—because his blood speaks a word of mercy and not vengeance—we can be washed clean of all impurity (Hebrews 12:24).
Brothers and sisters, this is what the Father wants for all of us: a relationship of loving surrender and trust! Awe-inspiring as he is, he wants to refresh us and lead us. He wants to wipe every tear from our eyes. He wants to show us the paths of life—the way of obedience, humility, and submission to him.
Even today, God stands at the door of your heart, asking you to let him in (Revelation 3:20). His voice, full of authority and power, won’t overwhelm you. It may convict you or call you to deeper holiness, but it will never condemn you or curse you. No, he is merciful and compassionate. He created you to hear his voice and know his touch.
So welcome him in today. Sit quietly with him. Read Scripture, talk to him, and listen for his voice. Yes, you have come to Mount Zion, but you have come as an honored guest of the King of kings!
“Father, I want to hear your voice today!”
Heb 12:18-19, 21-24
Brothers and sisters:
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said,
“I am terrified and trembling.”
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled Blood that speaks more eloquently
than that of Abel.
Ps 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 10)
O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”
the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God;
God makes it firm forever.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
O God, we ponder your mercy
within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Gospel
Mk 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Meditation: Hebrews 12:18-19,21-24
“You have approached Mount Zion.” (Hebrews 12:22)
Blazing fire. Gloomy darkness. A trumpet blast. A voice that caused its hearers to beg for silence. What a rousing, even frightening, picture of God! The author of Hebrews goes so far as to warn us: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Yes, this is our God. He is all-powerful. He is a consuming fire. And he never changes.
But no one can ever reduce God to just one attribute or one set of descriptors. This all-consuming fire is also our heavenly Father who waits patiently for us to come to him (Luke 15:20). This all-powerful world creator is also a mother hen eager to gather us together (Matthew 23:37). And this commanding law-giver is also a lover pursuing his beloved across space and time (Song of Songs 2:8-9).
Can you imagine the awesome privilege we have? Because of Christ, we are invited into a personal relationship with the God of the universe. We can enjoy fellowship—real, warm, personal companionship— with the One who holds the keys to heaven and hell. Because Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel—because his blood speaks a word of mercy and not vengeance—we can be washed clean of all impurity (Hebrews 12:24).
Brothers and sisters, this is what the Father wants for all of us: a relationship of loving surrender and trust! Awe-inspiring as he is, he wants to refresh us and lead us. He wants to wipe every tear from our eyes. He wants to show us the paths of life—the way of obedience, humility, and submission to him.
Even today, God stands at the door of your heart, asking you to let him in (Revelation 3:20). His voice, full of authority and power, won’t overwhelm you. It may convict you or call you to deeper holiness, but it will never condemn you or curse you. No, he is merciful and compassionate. He created you to hear his voice and know his touch.
So welcome him in today. Sit quietly with him. Read Scripture, talk to him, and listen for his voice. Yes, you have come to Mount Zion, but you have come as an honored guest of the King of kings!
“Father, I want to hear your voice today!”
02 February 2011
02 Feb 2011, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Reading 1
Mal 3:1-4
Thus says the Lord God:
Lo, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me;
And suddenly there will come to the temple
the Lord whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
But who will endure the day of his coming?
And who can stand when he appears?
For he is like the refiner’s fire,
or like the fuller’s lye.
He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord.
Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem
will please the Lord,
as in the days of old, as in years gone by.
Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10
Responsorial PsalmR. (8)
Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The Lord of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Reading 2
Heb 2:14-18
Since the children share in blood and flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
Gospel
Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
or
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
Meditation: Malachi 3:1-4
The Presentation of the Lord
He is like the refiner’s fire. (Malachi 3:2)
In the last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi peers into the future to announce a great arrival: “Suddenly there will come to the temple the Lordwhom you seek” (Malachi 3:1). Five centuries or so later, Simeon and Anna stepped forward as faithful sentinels, ready to greet “the Messiah of the Lord” as he enters the Jerusalem Temple for the first time (Luke 2:26).
It’s a familiar and heartwarming scene—a beautiful child, glowing parents, a humble offering, and heartfelt praise. But what does this low-key “presentation” have to do with the grand entrance that Malachi described? He had warned of a fear-some day of judgment, when the Lord would take action against the faithlessness of his priests and people. Right there in the Temple, the fire of God’s holiness would blaze out to purify those who repented of their sins and to punish those who refused.
Looking down at the baby in his arms, Simeon caught some glimpse of this coming judgment and purification. He didn’t know that Jesus would return to the Temple one day, blazing with God’s own anger that his house of prayer had been made “a den of thieves” (Luke 19:46). And he couldn’t profess, as we do, that Jesus “will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.” But led by the Spirit, Simeon recognized Jesus as “a sign that will be contradicted”—a Messiah “destined for the fall and rise of many” (Luke 2:34).
The Jerusalem Temple is long gone, but today, in the temple of our own hearts, God is inviting us to wait and watch. So let’s open the doors and welcome him in. But let’s open ourselves to all of Jesus—not just the sweet child who wins our hearts with tenderness but the Lord of glory who comes to purify us and make us holy.
Yes, this means repentance, self-denial, the cross. But what’s all that compared to the end result? The more we let Jesus in, we more we know the joy of becoming a holy people shining with the radiance of the Lord of Hosts.
“Jesus, what an awesome offer—to share your life and become like you! Come into my heart, and make yourself at home. Whatever it takes, make me your own in every way.”
Mal 3:1-4
Thus says the Lord God:
Lo, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me;
And suddenly there will come to the temple
the Lord whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
But who will endure the day of his coming?
And who can stand when he appears?
For he is like the refiner’s fire,
or like the fuller’s lye.
He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord.
Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem
will please the Lord,
as in the days of old, as in years gone by.
Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10
Responsorial PsalmR. (8)
Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The Lord of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Reading 2
Heb 2:14-18
Since the children share in blood and flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
Gospel
Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
or
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
Meditation: Malachi 3:1-4
The Presentation of the Lord
He is like the refiner’s fire. (Malachi 3:2)
In the last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi peers into the future to announce a great arrival: “Suddenly there will come to the temple the Lordwhom you seek” (Malachi 3:1). Five centuries or so later, Simeon and Anna stepped forward as faithful sentinels, ready to greet “the Messiah of the Lord” as he enters the Jerusalem Temple for the first time (Luke 2:26).
It’s a familiar and heartwarming scene—a beautiful child, glowing parents, a humble offering, and heartfelt praise. But what does this low-key “presentation” have to do with the grand entrance that Malachi described? He had warned of a fear-some day of judgment, when the Lord would take action against the faithlessness of his priests and people. Right there in the Temple, the fire of God’s holiness would blaze out to purify those who repented of their sins and to punish those who refused.
Looking down at the baby in his arms, Simeon caught some glimpse of this coming judgment and purification. He didn’t know that Jesus would return to the Temple one day, blazing with God’s own anger that his house of prayer had been made “a den of thieves” (Luke 19:46). And he couldn’t profess, as we do, that Jesus “will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.” But led by the Spirit, Simeon recognized Jesus as “a sign that will be contradicted”—a Messiah “destined for the fall and rise of many” (Luke 2:34).
The Jerusalem Temple is long gone, but today, in the temple of our own hearts, God is inviting us to wait and watch. So let’s open the doors and welcome him in. But let’s open ourselves to all of Jesus—not just the sweet child who wins our hearts with tenderness but the Lord of glory who comes to purify us and make us holy.
Yes, this means repentance, self-denial, the cross. But what’s all that compared to the end result? The more we let Jesus in, we more we know the joy of becoming a holy people shining with the radiance of the Lord of Hosts.
“Jesus, what an awesome offer—to share your life and become like you! Come into my heart, and make yourself at home. Whatever it takes, make me your own in every way.”
01 February 2011
01 Feb 2011, Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Heb 12:1-4
Brothers and sisters:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him
Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame,
and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,
in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
Ps 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 27b)
They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
“May your hearts be ever merry!”
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the LORD;
All the families of the nations
shall bow down before him.
To him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth;
Before him shall bend
all who go down into the dust.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
And to him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
Gospel
Mk 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him
and a large crowd followed him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to him,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, Who touched me?”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.
Meditation: Mark 5:21-43
“Daughter, your faith has saved you.” (Mark 5:34)
The woman was trembling with excitement. She had been healed! No more bleeding! No more pain! No more fruitless visits to doctors! But wait—the teacher was demanding who had touched him. The crowd had pressed in too tightly, and she couldn’t slip away undetected.
Timidly, nervously, she fell to her knees and told her story. Would he reproach her? Call her a thief? Take away her healing? No—he called her daughter! And even more, he commended her faith! Suddenly the physical healing didn’t matter as much. An even greater healing was taking place. Deep in her heart, years of anguish and doubt faded away. She was precious, beloved, never to be the same again!
Another young girl faded so quickly that there seemed to be no hope. But in walked Jesus: “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” (Mark 5:41).
He spoke words of life not only to her body but to her heart as well. Hadn’t he told her father not to be afraid but to believe? And here, as the girl awakens, Jairus knows that Jesus is more than a wise teacher. He is a compassionate, powerful, and passionate healer.
What words does Jesus have for you? He wants to speak just as personally, just as intimately, to you as he did to these two people. So accept his invitation to bring your needs to him—every hurt, every fear, every hope and dream. Like the woman in today’s Gospel, press through the crowd and touch him so that you can be made whole. Like the little girl, rise up in faith and trust, knowing that Jesus has taken you by the hand.
You may feel like you are just one out of a billion believers, but when you are in Jesus’ presence, all he sees is you. So what are you waiting for? Come to him today and let his words produce a miracle in your heart!
“Thank you, Jesus, for calling me to your side. I know that you have words of life for me today. Help me to open my heart to receive the words that set me free.”
Heb 12:1-4
Brothers and sisters:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him
Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame,
and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,
in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
Ps 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 27b)
They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
“May your hearts be ever merry!”
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the LORD;
All the families of the nations
shall bow down before him.
To him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth;
Before him shall bend
all who go down into the dust.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
And to him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
Gospel
Mk 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him
and a large crowd followed him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to him,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, Who touched me?”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.
Meditation: Mark 5:21-43
“Daughter, your faith has saved you.” (Mark 5:34)
The woman was trembling with excitement. She had been healed! No more bleeding! No more pain! No more fruitless visits to doctors! But wait—the teacher was demanding who had touched him. The crowd had pressed in too tightly, and she couldn’t slip away undetected.
Timidly, nervously, she fell to her knees and told her story. Would he reproach her? Call her a thief? Take away her healing? No—he called her daughter! And even more, he commended her faith! Suddenly the physical healing didn’t matter as much. An even greater healing was taking place. Deep in her heart, years of anguish and doubt faded away. She was precious, beloved, never to be the same again!
Another young girl faded so quickly that there seemed to be no hope. But in walked Jesus: “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” (Mark 5:41).
He spoke words of life not only to her body but to her heart as well. Hadn’t he told her father not to be afraid but to believe? And here, as the girl awakens, Jairus knows that Jesus is more than a wise teacher. He is a compassionate, powerful, and passionate healer.
What words does Jesus have for you? He wants to speak just as personally, just as intimately, to you as he did to these two people. So accept his invitation to bring your needs to him—every hurt, every fear, every hope and dream. Like the woman in today’s Gospel, press through the crowd and touch him so that you can be made whole. Like the little girl, rise up in faith and trust, knowing that Jesus has taken you by the hand.
You may feel like you are just one out of a billion believers, but when you are in Jesus’ presence, all he sees is you. So what are you waiting for? Come to him today and let his words produce a miracle in your heart!
“Thank you, Jesus, for calling me to your side. I know that you have words of life for me today. Help me to open my heart to receive the words that set me free.”
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