Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

Biographical Information about St. John Bosco
Readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 12:4-7, 11-15

The Hebrews author continues the exhortation to remain strong in the faith and not to become discouraged because there are obstacles. He counts these trials as discipline from the Lord and then analogizes a father disciplining his child. He begs the Hebrews to be strengthened by this resistance rather than disheartened by it.

The passage today ends with encouragement to seek the peace of Christ in all things and with everyone.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Psalm 103 continues the analogy used in the Hebrews reading speaking to us of the loving and compassionate Father. It goes on to emphasize the omnipresence of God and His eternal nature, know us from eternity.

Gospel Mk 6:1-6

We are given St. Mark’s version of the story we heard in St. Luke on Sunday of this week. The Lord goes to his home town to speak in the Synagogue, amazes the people he grew up with. In the version today the part about their attempt on his life is omitted, but we still see the Lord’s response to their lack of faith.

Reflection:

The Memorial of St. John Bosco marks a special day for me. It was one year ago today that I began this work – this reflection on scripture published in the form of a web log or Blog. I looked back on that first post today. I started it on Myspace because that is where my son suggested I go. In my time there, roughly six months, it was hacked into three times and taken off line for a short time. It changed in it’s organization and composition to some degree. There were times when I was more involved in taking scripture apart and less focused on the practical messages contained in it.

Before I leave this blogday party I thought I’d pass on one important learning experience gained over this past year. When I made my commitment to open up Holy Scripture in this way I did not know where it would take me. I have grown more in love with the sacred texts and gained a better understanding of the Lord in this mostly solitary exercise than I would have believed possible. I hope those of you who have traveled some of this path with me have gained some benefit and come closer to Christ as well.

Today we have a smorgasbord of topics. We could talk about St. John Bosco and his amazing ministry to children and how he patterned himself after Christ in that way. We could talk about rekindling our faith as we are exhorted to do by the reading from Hebrews and supported by the Psalm. Or we could talk about what the Lord would say about us if he were to come into our Church today.

I can tell you I was very disturbed to see an article in Newsweek about another person who has taken the Lord’s ministry and perverted it for his own use. A Puerto Rican; Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda formed an organization called Growing in Grace which has evolved into a money making machine for him. It probably started simply enough as another evangelical group but it is clear that Miranda is a real piece of work. He has claimed over the past few years to be first the reincarnation of St. Paul, then Jesus Christ returned and most recently the Anti Christ down to displaying the 666 on his body.

Thank God for the Church our rock that keeps people like this from our Churches. Thank God for the standards of the Magesterium that keeps us faithful to the teachings of Christ. Today we should pray for those who have been lead astray, that they see their error and turn away from false idols and prophets.

Pax

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Tuesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 12:1-4

Hebrews returns to its principle theme in our selection today. We are encouraged to redouble our zeal for the faith. It is interesting that the author mentions specifically how the community (cloud of witnesses) strengthens the faith.

The reading goes on to place Christ’s passion as a model of steadfastness, encouraging the faithful to resist against all opposition. This resistance, says the author, should include shedding one’s own blood for the faith.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

In this song of praise we hear the response to God’s covenant. It supports once more the idea from Hebrews that this act of worship is done in community by the individual. In fact the song presumes a communal worship of God. (“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.”)

Gospel Mk 5:21-43

Mark’s Gospel continues today with Jesus continuing his journey of healing. The passage today relates two interwoven examples of the power of faith in healing. First we hear the Synagogue Official’s plea to Jesus to heal his daughter. This is important from the standpoint that it is recognition of Jesus status by the local faith community.

On the way to the little girl, a woman with a hemorrhage that had been incurable by local physicians pressed in close and touched his cloak. She was cured and it was like her faith reached out and touched Jesus unlike the others crowded around because he felt her touch among all the others. He turned and was able to specifically identify her. The Lord’s words to her were; “…your faith has saved you.”

Arriving at the Synagogue Officials house Jairus’ faith was tested a second time as he was informed his daughter had died. Jesus ignored these reports and proceeded to reward Jairus’ faith by bringing his daughter back from death; a sign of his mission to all mankind.

Reflection:

While there are some real “Wow” level miracles in the Gospel today, at a higher altitude there is a a flow in scripture today that emphasizes a really important element of our faith that many have ignored or said is unimportant. How many times have you heard or even said something like this yourself; “I don’t need to go to Church. I can pray and read scripture myself. I am a good person and do not need to be part of a community to prove that.”

I have heard it many times. The difficult part of this kind of rationalization is that it is difficult to refute, not because it’s true, but because personal spirituality is important; living the faith as a good person is important. This is especially a favorite defense used by teenagers who do not think it’s cool to go to Church or find it to be too much extra work.

What is missed when a person says; “I don’t need the community aspect of the faith” is a huge part of God’s message was sent to us, not as individuals but as community. The commandments, while they can and should be used as a personal code of conduct, were given to the community so that we can live together as God planned. The message cannot be fully understood applied to the individual. Look at just one example. The Great Commandment, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt 22; 37-39) The first part of this commandment we can do on our own, love God, but the second part cannot be accomplished unless we live in community. When we go off by ourselves and say I do not need the community we have missed something very big because the community needs us. As Paul says in his letters, the body has many parts and all are needed.

This topic is huge and we cannot do it justice in the short reflective time we have. Today let us pray for the whole community of faith, that with them we are stronger in the faith and with us the Body of Christ which is the Church is also stronger.

Pax

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 11:32-40

The Pauline author tells his audience he did not come to proclaim the prophets that he describes as righteous and brave. He explains that while they did what was good in the eyes of God, they did not receive the promise that is made to the followers of Christ. It is only through Christ that the resurrection and salvation may be achieved.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

A song of thankfulness and praise for God whose mercy is boundless and his forgiveness complete.

Gospel Mk 5:1-20

We are given St. Mark’s version of Jesus casting out the multitude of demons and sending them into the heard of swine. It is important to note that this is a pagan region so what the Lord is doing in helping the man with unclean spirits is ministering to non-Hebrews indicating the breadth of his mission. Also in this story the demon addresses him as “Jesus, Son of the Most High God” a title that identifies him clearly and without equivocation.

Reflection:

Perhaps one of the most important statements we are given today may seem anticlimactic. The man whom Jesus had cured asked, pleaded with Jesus to stay with him. Rather than accepting his offer, the Lord sent him back to his own people with the words: “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”

The message we can take from this incident is that what God does for us, He does out of his great love for us. We do not earn his mercy or his salvation; it is given to us because God has a special love for us. We can think of it as we think of what a good parent does for his or her child. What right do children have to expect all of the good things parents give them? What effort on the part of children causes the parent to lavish their love on them? It is not some merit in the child that causes or entitles the child to this love, rather it is the natural love the parent feels for the life that they, with God’s help and grace, brought into the world.

We have seen children try to do things that please their loving parents. They are eager to please them, especially when they are young. Do we not act the same way toward God our father? Are we not anxious to act in ways that we feel should make that heavenly parent happy? But think of the reward God promises. It is not an allowance or a special treat – it is the grace and peace of Christ. It is the resurrection on the last day. There is nothing we as human being could do to make our selves worthy of so great a prize.

Today let us give thanks to God the loving Father who through his great love for us gave his only Son so that we, who are totally unworthy, might enjoy an eternity with him.

Pax

Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time &
Saint Angela Merici, Virgin

Biographical Information about St. Angela Merici
Readings for Saturday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 11:1-2, 8-19

The beginning of this reading gives us a rather interesting definition of faith: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” That is followed by a description a few verses later of Abraham’s response to faith and the Lord’s reward, incomplete before Christ and completed by him.

Responsorial Psalm Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

This responsorial is taken from the Canticle of Zachariah. Zachariah sings to his new born son, John the Baptist about his role as forerunner to Jesus. He reminds us of the Lord fulfilling the promise made to Abraham in this first section of the Canticle.

Gospel Mk 4:35-41

In our Gospel, Jesus embarks in what is probably a fishing boat with his disciples. A storm comes up and the disciples a afraid. Jesus with a word, “Quiet! Be still!" silences the storm and waters. The implication of his next statement is that if they had a mature faith, they could have done the same. The disciples are awed by his command of the elements.

Reflection:

We are forced to face up to the question the Lord asked the disciples today; “Then he asked them, ‘Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?’” We see the disciples afraid, even though the Lord is with them in the boat. They do not yet fully realize that as long as they have the Lord with them, nothing can hurt them.

It brings us to the realization that fear for our physical selves, while natural, should be the least of our worries. We only have these shells of human form for a short while in the eyes of God (Ps 91;4) but we look forward to an eternity with God the Father in his Heavenly Kingdom.

This miracle of Jesus does more that demonstrate his authority over God’s creation. It reminds us that our faith in Him must put us in a place where we can reach out for the salvation of our souls. If we could not do that, we should indeed be terrified.

It is, however, a hard thing to do. But we have it in us. In Baptism we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, in Confirmation that gift is sealed and in the Eucharist we receive the Sacred Body and Blood of him who saves us. Those gifts combine to point the way. They are our compass in the storm of life. If the Lord wishes and we have faith he can calm that storm as well and we need not be afraid.

Pax

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

Biographical Information about St. Timothy
Biographical Information about St. Titus

Readings for Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 2 Tm 1:1-8

St. Paul writes to one of his key disciples, St. Timothy, from Rome where he is a prisoner. It is clear that the affection between the two of them is strong as Paul reminds him of his installation as Bishop (‘…the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands”). Paul encourages Timothy to remain strong and faithful to the Gospel, even in the face of opposition.

Or Ti 1:1-5

This selection is the introduction to St. Paul’s letter to Titus. In the second paragraph he lets us know what Titus’ mission is – to form the Church on Crete (which according to the best scholarship, Paul himself never visited.).

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

“Announce his salvation, day after day.” This song of praise to the Lord invites all humanity to participate in God’s salvation.

Gospel Mk 4:26-34

We are given two parables from the Gospel of St. Mark. The first is unique to Mark’s Gospel and follows the parable of the Sower we were given earlier this week. The mystery of the seed is analogous to Jesus’ own ministry which starts as a seed but grows to encompass the world.

The second parable, the parable of the Mustard Seed, echo’s the vision of the Kingdom of God described in Ezekiel Ezekiel 17:23; 31:6.

Reflection:

If we take the parable of the seed in today’s Gospel and run it out we find that its germination is critical. That is why God sent his only Son to make sure that His Kingdom and Holy Spirit were appropriately begun. Like a seed, Christ fell and died. He was put into the ground and the seed that is God’s Kingdom sprouted. It spouted first, as seeds do, with tender shoots, the Apostles. The Lord sent them nourishment in the Holy Spirit and at Pentecost the roots were set firm and the branches were set to divide.

If we look at the progress of that parable in our celebration today we find St. Paul, whose great conversion we celebrated yesterday addressing two of the major branches that have sprung from his own branching; Titus and Timothy. We know these two were key disciples of Paul. They traveled with him and acted on his behalf, building up the Church throughout the region.

According to tradition, they labored tirelessly for the Gospel and received the reward for their efforts. Timothy, according to history, was stoned while interrupting a pagan ritual and Titus passes to the next life on the island Paul had sent him to, Crete where the Church still venerates him as Patriarch.

Two Branches from a third branch, from the trunk that is the Apostles are formed. Where then are we today? We are the buds of the new growth. We have a sold foundation upon a tree of faith with roots so deep that the world itself would need to break apart to shake them. We know reach for the Son as do any new shoots. We pray today that we, like all those branches that support us may bare fruit in our time.

Pax

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Biographical Information about St. Paul
Readings for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

Commentary:

Reading 1 Acts 22:3-16

This is the second account given in Acts of Paul’s conversion experience. In this account Paul himself recalls his role in the Hebrew Temple as an enforcer. The reason related for his trip to Damascus was the persecution of Christians whom he was to return to Jerusalem in Chains.

By this miraculous event, Saul who is renamed to Paul, becomes a witness to the resurrected Christ and an Apostle as a consequence.

Or Acts 9:1-22

This selection is the first the three accounts of Paul’s conversion. In this passage we are given more details about the events leading up to Saul’s actual experience adding the mind set of Ananias and his fear of approaching Saul because of is reputation. We are also given a little Hebrew numerology as we hear that Saul neither ate nor drank for three days, the same period Jesus was in the Tomb, prior to his conversion.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 117:1bc, 2
R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.

We are given a song of rejoicing and praise for God’s unfailing love for us.

Gospel Mk 16:15-18

In this passage we are given St. Mark’s version of Jesus’ final commissioning of the Apostles. This Gospel account is the final recorded meeting between Jesus and the Apostles. Given to us as it is, on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, it is important because it supports the mission Paul is given in his time of conversion; “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” This mission was shared by Paul.

Homily:

On this Feast of Paul’s Conversion we ask ourselves a question. Why are we celebrating this event and what relevance does it have for me?

Yes, it was a spectacular intervention by Jesus and the Holy Spirit into the life of the Church. Saul, who is Paul, was given the task of taking the Way, as it was called by the early Christians, to the Gentiles. Without his acceptance of that mission we know the name of Christ would have taken much longer to reach the known world.

It does show us once more the mystery of God’s plan. The Lord could have taken any of his existing converts and assigned that task to them. Yet, instead he picks not just any member of the Pharisaic Community, but one of the most zealous, prone to violence against the early converts. In addition to his stated purpose for the mission to Damascus of bringing those who had come to believe in Christ (people he called heretics and blasphemers) back in chains to face the Sanhedrin, Paul is thought to be the same Saul that authorized the stoning of our first martyr, the Deacon, St. Stephen. No, the Lord did not pick and easy target, he chose a passionate person who was misguided.

Jesus looked into Saul’s heart and saw there the overwhelming desire to do God’s will. Paul admits in the account from Acts that he was trained in Mosaic Law (“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law”) All the Lord needed to do to gain an effective servant was to give Saul that last piece of understanding, that the very person Saul was persecuting was the Son of the God he served.

We have answered the first part of our question; why do we celebrate this conversion event? But what is its relevance for us? We see in Saul, to some degree ourselves. We see in Paul what we wish to become. Part of us is always fighting the Lord. It is easier not to love one another, to allow our natural selves be guided by the evil one on a course that leads to our destruction.

We see in Paul, through his conversion, how that conflict should be resolved. We see in Paul’s example of zealous love for the Lord, the way we should be. And there we have it. Paul’s conversion should be echoed by our conversion. We pray today that our eyes might be as completely opened as were Paul’s at that we too might become the Way for others to follow.

Pax

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales,
bishop and doctor of the Church

Biographical Information about St. Francis de Sales
Readings for the Memorial of St. Francis de Sales

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 10:11-18

We begin today with a statement of how the levitcal priesthood’s sacrifices for the remittance of sin is ineffective compared to the sacrifice of Jesus whose one sacrifice released us for all time. Then Hebrews again hammers the New Covenant home to us. The author quotes, first Psalm 110 (Psalm 110:1 )and then the book of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34). He takes the prophecy of the New Covenant and shows how it is fulfilled in Christ.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

This passage from Psalm 110 supports the Hebrews reading that quotes it today. The messianic reference in the first verse gives a clear indication of Christ’s eternal nature and ultimate destiny.

Gospel Mk 4:1-20

We are given today the parable of the Sower from Mark’s Gospel. Jesus uses the rich analogy of the seed (of faith given in Baptism) to show the various courses of faith in human endeavor. Because our selection gives not only the parable but the Lord’s explanation of its meaning the only historical not we will make is that, at that point in history in that region, when planting a field, the seed was sown first and then the field was plowed.

Reflection:

The Parable of the Sower is a powerful one. It reminds us that we are both the Sower/Harvester and the seed in the parable. Initially the sower was Jesus and before him to a lesser extent the Prophets of the Old Testament. They brought us the word of God and much of what they said fell on deaf ears. That would be, according to the parable’s legend the seed that fell on the “path “. It had no chance to bear fruit because it was never planted. Similar fates awaited the seed that landed on “rocky ground” and among the “thorns”, while they germinated they never reached maturity.

The Sower’s task was handed on. It was handed from the Apostles who received it from Jesus to the Saints and especially the Doctors of the Church like St. Francis de Sales whose memorial we celebrate today. The task came down through all those millennia to us, the Disciples of Christ in this age. And here is where the analogy gets interesting. Today if we looked at the same agrarian analogy we would wonder why in those early days so much was wasted. Today, mechanical planters multitask to plow the fields, plant the grain, and then cover it so the birds cannot get it. No waste and the labor of a single person can produce yields that far exceed anything the farmers of Jesus’ day could have expected.

The sowers of the word today have similar automated tools that can help spread the word. But unlike the agricultural counterpart, more is wasted, not less. In the end words are cheap. Words that are not backed by action are not only cheap but they could be analogized with sterile seed. As sowers we must first be the seeds that fall on fertile ground and grow to maturity. We must make sure our roots go deep to withstand the harsh conditions that will be faced. We must insure that that stalk of grain we hope will provide the next generation of grain is well nourished with food and water that is Word and Sacrament.

Books have been written about the wondrous analogy of the Sower and the Harvester. We leave you today with a short quote from St. Francis de Sales whom we memorialize who was an example of what we can be:

“There are many who say to the Lord, "I give myself wholly to Thee, without any reserve," but there are few who embrace the practice of this abandonment, which consists in receiving with a certain indifference every sort of event, as it happens in conformity with Divine Providence, as well afflictions as consolations, contempt and reproaches as honor and glory. “

Saint Francis de Sales

Pax

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 10:1-10

The author (and we are not sure if it is Paul) continues his apologetic by comparing the Law to the fulfillment of the Law in Christ. Next, a passage from Psalm 40:7-9 is placed in the mouth of the Son at his incarnation. This again refutes the need of Christians to follow the Hebrew Law of Sin offerings since the Lord offered his own body once and for all time.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2 and 4ab, 7-8a, 10, 11
R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

We are given, in support of the reading from Hebrews, the very Psalm that was quoted in today’s selection. The focus God wants from us is not burnt offerings but our own faithfulness.

Gospel Mk 3:31-35

This passage, while affirming our own adoption as brothers and sisters in Christ, does cause some confusion among those who take scripture at face value without understanding the culture of the time.

“In Semitic usage, the terms "brother," "sister" are applied not only to children of the same parents, but to nephews, nieces, cousins, half-brothers, and half-sisters.”[1] Because of this, when Mary comes looking for Jesus in this selection, she is, as would be expected, joined by members of the extended family.

Reflection:

Today we can pause and thank God for his great gift that brought us into a new relationship with him. If Christ had not come as the perfect offering for our sins, we would still be obliged to offer sacrifices as our Hebrew ancestors did. We would be one step removed from the relationship we have in Christ who at once saved us and adopted us as children of God; “For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

The sense of adoption vs. the former relationship of the Hebrew people can be analogized by examining the relationship between ourselves and family and ourselves and a guest. While we treat a guest with courtesy and respect, we do not have the same love for the guest as we would for our close family member.

A guest would be welcomed to our home. A family member lives with us sharing not just our food, but all that we have. A guest comes and stays a while and leaves, but a family member is with us and shares our lives with us, the good and the bad. A guest does not share our pain or our joy to the extent a member of our own family does. The guest is held at arms length, never quite achieving that place of familial intimacy that is part of the family’s members.

Jesus changed that relationship for us. He came making God, His Father, our Father. Be brought not a guest to the table but a bride. He himself, out of his great love for us provided the sacrificial meal. He did this so we would have the intimate access to him and through that access find life eternal with the Father.
Because of this, we should take as our prayer today the family prayer of the Church, the Lord’s Prayer. As we say; “Our Father…”, let us embrace the Father who has adopted us, and through his great mercy has given us life with him.

Pax

ALTRE
[1] From the reference note on Mark 6; 3 in the NAB

Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time &
Saint Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon and Martyr

Biographical Information about St. Vincent
Readings for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time[1]

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 9:15, 24-28

Hebrews continues this week, speaking of Christ as the mediator of the new covenant. He is our great intercessor, having offered his life so our sins might be forgiven. He has done this once and for all eternity.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

The psalm is a song of praise to God for his saving work. From our perspective, knowing that he sent us His Son for our salvation, we see clearly the reference to Jesus as God’s saving hand is extended.

Gospel Mk 3:22-30

The reading from Mark’s Gospel takes up the story from Saturday when Jesus had taken his disciples to Matthew’s house for a meal but could not eat because of the crowd. If you remember, his mother and family came to get him and the word passed it was that they thought he had lost his mind.

That word comes not from the scribes from Jerusalem who start picking up on that and going further, calling Jesus a servant of the devil. Finally Jesus is forced to confront them. He asks why Satan would send someone to attack himself. He goes on with two other examples and ends with a condemnation of the attack saying; “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”

Reflection:

If we are to live the life of Christ then compassion must be our motto. Can you see the Lord in the story above from Mark’s Gospel? As he is attacked and condemned by the scribes, he knows the doom they have sealed for themselves.

It would be as if naturalists, while exploring in Africa were suddenly attached by a rare and endangered species of animal and the only way to survive was to kill them. They would feel something like the anguish the Lord must have suffered as the scribes blasphemed against to Holy Spirit and, in doing so, condemned themselves to spend eternity with the very Satan with whom they accused the Lord of being in league.

If we are truly compassionate, when we face opposition of any kind, the gate to love that person is opened to us. Compassion flows from the Lord in His gift to us, the Holy Spirit. It was given to us at our Baptism, an indelible gift that marks us as God’s adopted Children. All we need to do is reach for that gift when people persecute us or attack us and the compassion of the Lord will well up in us. It will banish the feelings for hated and revenge. Those emotions come from Satan.

Compassion allows us to try, with humility, to show our errant brothers and sisters where the have gone wrong. The Lord tries to do this with the scribes in the Gospel today. We know that if our brothers and sisters attack us they are committing a sin. Is it not always sinful to hurt another person? In doing so they are placing themselves at risk. It is our duty to at least warn them of the consequences.

It is difficult, what the Lord shows us. We have our whole lives to get it right but we don’t know how long that might be so we had better get started.

Pax

[1] ALTRE

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

We delve into the Book of the Prophet Nehemiah and since this is a book we do not hear much from perhaps a little explanation is useful, especially since today Nehemiah’s reading deals with Ezra, who’s Book precedes Nehemiah in the current canon of the Bible.

Both prophets were active at the time of the Restoration. That is the time following the Babylonian exile during which the Jewish people were returned to their historical geography and the nation of Israel was reestablished.

In the reading today, we hear Ezra, who of the two was more responsible for reintroducing the Law as the constitution of the reformed state, proclaiming the Law. Now comes Nehemiah, the Administrator telling the people who were overcome with emotion at hearing God’s word once more, explaining that it is a time for rejoicing because they are once more united under God’s Law.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Psalm 19 captures the joy of the people we hear in the reading from Nehemiah. It is a song that rejoices in the Law of the Lord and happily embraces it because of its saving power.

Reading II 1 Cor 12:12-30

Today we are given the great Pauline analogy of the Body as Church. He goes first into detail enumerating the parts of the body and distinguishing their functions. He then proposes that the body needs the diversity of parts and could not function effectively without all of them.

Paul then goes through the same process with functions within the Church, again enumerating the functions; “first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues.” His message is clear, the Church needs all of these functions and even though some get more attention, all are prized.

Gospel Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21

The Gospel selection today is actually two different passages from Luke’s Gospel. Probably because last week we were given the story of the Wedding at Cana from John’s Gospel as sort of a wrap up to Epiphany, this week we start with the introduction to Luke’s Gospel as he writes of his purpose to Theophilus.

We then pick up the story of Jesus following his baptism and temptation in the desert. These will be dealt with in more detail during the Lenten Season. Luke’s Gospel refers in a summary way to the works we have been hearing about in Mark’s Gospel during the week.

Jesus comes to the Synagogue and reads from Isaiah (Isa 61; 1-3). The passage refers to the coming of the Messiah and the mission of the Son of God to the poor and marginalized. He then tells those listening; "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." This is our true beginning of Ordinary Time as revelation is complete.

Reflection:

The focus of our scripture today flows like the beginning of a journey. We are first given the story of the restoration of the Law to the Hebrews in the story from Nehemiah. We are told how, upon hearing Ezra read and explain the Torah, the people wept. After their long exile in Babylon, God’s presence, his guiding force was once more upon them. Then Nehemiah tells them that this is indeed a time for rejoicing. This same sentiment is reflected in the Psalm as we hear; “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life”.

Unifying Ezra the scribe and Nehemiah the Leader of the People, we have St. Paul’s analogy that says all parts of the body are needed if the risen body of Christ, which is the Church, is to operate properly. His statements remind us that we are united in Him and like the ancient Hebrews we are moved with joy at our own unity.

Finally, in the Gospel we hear how Christ returns from his own exile in the desert. Like Ezra, he opens God’s word to the people, proclaiming God’s will with authority. Unlike Ezra, the Lord actually proclaims his own coming. With that we close the book for today. We can only imagine the impact of those words on his contemporaries in the Synagogue.

What should we take away from the events that unfold in scripture? First, and we need this reminder often, we can know that today can be the first day of our journey of faith. Today does not need to find our steps falling into their familiar pattern. We can turn to the Lord and make a fresh start. Even if we have felt we were going in the right general direction, we can make a new start; a fresh beginning with the Lord.

Our second lesson today is that we must really examine our attitudes toward our brothers and sisters in faith. We must, like our Savior, look at each person with profound respect. We do so because without them, we are incomplete. Without the other members of the body, the body is maimed. Paul is so right as later in the same body of work he tells us that the greatest crime we can commit in the sight of God is dividing the Body of Christ. We cannot afford to be anything but humble in the face of so great a charge.

Today let us rejoice in the Lord because he gives us a fresh start. We can be free from all encumbrances as we start this day. We pray it is one free from old prejudices and filled with awe and respect for our brothers and sisters who are part of the same body, the living body of Christ.

Pax

Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time &
Saint Fabian, Pope & Saint Sebastian, Martyr

Biographical Information about St. Fabian
Biographical Information about St. Sebastian

Readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 9:2-3, 11-14

Today, Hebrews contrasts the tradition of Jewish animal sacrifice or sin offering with what Jesus has done for us. He describes, in detail, how Christ becomes the sacrifice that seals the new covenant. Using this specific Hebrew Law and imagery, he explains how the Lord came as the ultimate offering for our salvation.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

We are given a song of praise, celebrating God’s lordship over all of His creation.

Gospel Mk 3:20-21

References seem to indicate that Jesus went back to Matthew’s house and his mother and friends came to get him because he was acting strangely.

Reflection:

We have to wonder about the Gospel today. It is only two verses long but it seems strangely out of place. These two verses continue yesterday’s Gospel in which the original 12 are named. So we have the twelve and Jesus going back to Matthew’s house and a huge crowd is following them because Jesus has been miraculously curing the sick (and since he gave this authority to his disciples perhaps they were also doing some of this) and preaching that God’s Kingdom was there for those who believed in the Son of Man and followed the Father’s Law.

Ok, let’s picture the scene. We are sent in Galilee, Jesus home neighborhood. A huge group of people are following Jesus along with twelve students he has picked up along the way. They are not identified by the crowd as of necessarily high quality and at least one of them is a tax collector.

They go into a small house, Matthew’s, to get something to eat, and the people who have been following him crowd right in with them “making it impossible for them even to eat”. Various versions of scripture word this first verse differently but the meaning is the same.

Next we have word of this gathering reaching his mother and family. Now let’s ask ourselves; what would our parents have thought if they had heard from friends and neighbors that their child had come back with some unknown or even known followers and a huge crowd of people were following them? On top of that they would certainly have heard that Jesus had been confronting the scribes and Pharisees (their religious leaders, even ones from Jerusalem) along his trip. What would they have done and thought?

In secular language let’s picture this; Jesus and his disciples seated in a room with people crowding all around them so they can’t even get a bite to eat. Outside the house, those who could not get inside are crowded around the door. Here comes Mary and some of her family or perhaps Joseph’s family to speak with her son. People outside pass word in that; “Jesus, your mother is hear with your family and they are asking if you have lost your mind.” Does that sound so far fetched now?

We have reflected now a length about the historical situation. Let’s ask ourselves what this passage says to us as we consider how the Lord wants us to follow his example. First it’s clear, following the Lord is not always going to be popular. There will be times when even our families will wonder about our motives. Next, it is also clear that there will be those around us that hunger to hear the words of life. That is what Jesus was about, that is what he sent his disciples to do.


Today, in addition to having the examples of two of the early martyrs of the Church to see as examples (these two were not very popular with the Roman Emperor Caius Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius who had them put to death), we hear in the short powerful Gospel that the Lord asks us to walk a difficult road. We accept this challenge gladly for it leads us to heaven.

Pax

ALTRE

Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Friday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 8:6-13

We ended yesterday with a reminder that Jesus came as the new covenant, replacing the covenant and promises of Moses. Today Hebrews continues on this theme explaining why the new covenant is better. In language that sounds much like the Old Testament prophets, the fact that a new covenant was needed showed the old one to be flawed.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:8 and 10, 11-12, 13-14
R. Kindness and truth shall meet.

This song begins as a plea for mercy and salvation. It continues in expectation of God’s saving justice.

Gospel Mk 3:13-19

Having called certain people to himself, Mark’s Gospel now names the apostles. He also defines the faculties that Jesus gives them – essentially giving them purpose;”… that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”

Reflection:

As we reflect upon the beginning of the ministry of Christ which was, as we hear in the Hebrews reading, to result in the New Covenant, we cannot help but marvel at the chain of events and the amazing power of the Holy Spirit that takes this small and insignificant group of men he names and transforms the world. Even these twelve whom he selected failed him in the last. In the garden they all ran away, even Simon, who in Mark’s Gospel today is named Peter, denied him in the end.

If we had been watching this plot unfold for the first time as in a movie, When Jesus had the Last Supper and we heard what he said and saw Judas run from the room, we would have said; “Oh no, here it goes.” The garden scene would be the one where we would think this is going to have a bad ending. The Garden is where we would have expected these men to stand with their teacher and fight his arrest. But he failed. He gave them authority to preach and cast out demons, and they failed.

But the story gets better. M. Night Shyamalan (author of the Sixth Sense, Signs, and The Village) could not have put a more surprising twist in the plot. Just when we thought all was lost, the purpose is revealed. All of those predictions from the Prophets in the Old Testament are like subtle clues we had forgotten. They come back in an instant, telling us we should have expected a miracle and the Savior, even though he dies, comes back, more powerful than ever.

If we were watching this as a movie, it turns out that this amazing story is only the Pilot. From that point forward, those Apostles who ran away are transformed into men of unshakable courage and faith. They willingly face down the opposition and disregard their own safety for the sake of the Gospel message.

The most incredible thing about this whole scenario is that it is true. The victory, though not yet complete, is building. From the simple beginning where one man calls twelve others to help him in an immense task, momentum has built up over the centuries. It continues to build in us and now our call is made clear. It was not just those twelve who went up the mountain with Jesus. If we could have seen it in time stretching forward thousands of years, we would have seen the shadows of armies of saints following those humble men. If we looked very closely at those packed ranks, could we have seen ourselves?

Pax

ALTRE

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Thursday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 7:25—8:6

We hear a summation of the comparison between the Hebrew faith embodied in its priesthood with Jesus. The Lord has approached us as our intercessor and he represents a new covenant and a new promise, superseding the covenant and promise of Moses.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Supporting the new covenant, the psalm selection tells us that the animal sacrifices and sin offerings of the Hebrews are not what the Lord wants – he would rather have a humble and contrite heart.

Gospel Mk 3:7-12

Matching the summary of arguments we hear in Hebrews we hear in the Gospel of Mark a similar summary of the activities of Jesus whose healing ministry has caused a great crowd to follow him. It is interesting that the recognition of his true nature comes from those sent by the evil one.

Homily:

Today in scripture we hear two distinct messages, the first in the Hebrews reading we hear a summary of the arguments we have been hearing for the past several days; We have a Great High Priest in Jesus, who came as our intercessor that we might have a new promise and new hope for salvation.

The second message is from the Gospel according to Mark. Here we again see a summary of what has been happening for the past several days, Jesus continues his healing ministry and people see that he is indeed the Son of God. Sometimes, in spite of our best efforts we forget what it means to have the Son of God as our intercessor.

I am reminded of a young child who wants to build a birdhouse for the yard. He goes first and asks his mother if it would be OK and she tells him; “Sure, but perhaps I should help you a little.” The mother supervises closely as the little boy gets the pieces of wood together and asks her to help with cutting it – that’s a hard part. She coaches him through the process, watching over each step and when it’s all done – the little boy runs to his father and says; “Look what I have made.”

The Lord is revealed to us with this same character and involvement in our lives. We frequently get involved in activities that are noble and good. And when we finish these tasks we think, wow look what I have accomplished. We probably even started with a prayer that said; “God, help me to get this done.” But in the end, we forget that the Lord waked with us and pushed the barriers out of the way. Just like the little boy in the story whose mother “did some of the hard parts”, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, allows us to accomplish otherwise impossible things.

While we sometimes forget, today let us remember and rejoice that God gave us this help. He sent us life and hope in the person of His Son and we should always give thanks that he is there to help and support us in all we do for the Father’s greater glory.

Pax

ALTRE

Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot

Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot

Biographical Information about St. Anthony
Readings for Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 7:1-3, 15-17

This selection uses two sets of verses from the 7th Chapter. The first set, verses 1-3 describes the appointment by Abraham of Melchizedek as High Priest. The second set of verses, 15-17 references Jesus’ coming and how his authority comes, not from appointment or lineage but rather from his immortal existence.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Psalm 110 thanks God for earthly authority, recognizing that it is only through His strength that authority is exercised. Using Melchizedek as an arch example, he was a secular king in the time of Abraham who ruled on the spiritual side as well.

Gospel Mk 3:1-6

Mark’s Gospel today again shows us a picture of Jesus in contention with the scribes and Pharisees. This time they use bate; a man with an affliction is apparently used to trap Jesus into doing something that by Pharisaic Law was considered “labor”. Jesus tries to show them the flaw in their logic with a question; “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they will not respond – rather they run to the minions of King Herod to continue their plotting.

Reflection:

Fr. Jeff Neus, our Pastor, wrote in his comments in the Parish Bulletin of last Sunday about the Precepts of the Church, they are as he said the minimums but I wanted to start with the basics:

1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.

There are other rules in the Church contained in the Code of Canon Law and the General Instructions of the Roman Missal. These rules govern how the members of the Church behave in the secular world and how we behave in worship. Coupled with the teaching Magesterium of the Church which reflect on the practical implications of what and how we believe these works constitute the general norms under which all one billion of us relate to each other and God.

When we think about the size and scope of the universal Church, this is not really a lot. But, it’s enough to stimulate tension. There are those among us who do not think the Church should condemn abortion, infanticide. There are those who believe the Church should bring women into the ordained ranks and there are those who believe that all the Church has done to change itself since the Second Vatican Counsel ended in 1964 is a travesty.

What we hear in the Gospel today is the story of a group of individuals so focused on the rules that they have forgotten the spirit of the Law. In our own Code of Canon Law this lesson is not forgotten. The last words in it are; “Can. 1752 …servata aequitate canonica et prae oculis habita salute animarum, quae in Ecclesia suprema semper lex esse debet “ (“…the salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law in the Church, is to be kept before one’s eyes.”)

The problem that most often surfaces is the belief on behalf of some that “traditions” in the local Church community are somehow the perfect reflection of the Church’s precepts, rules, and dogma. As a consequence when changes are made we become uncomfortable and sometimes even indignant. This cannot be what we are about lest we fall into the trap of the Pharisees. We must focus on the spirit of God’s Law, perfectly exemplified by His Son. Jesus said first and foremost, love one another.

Pax

Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 6:10-20

We are enjoined to remain steadfast in our faith even though we may grow weary. The example of Abraham is used hear and how God made a covenant with him, swearing by himself.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 111:1-2, 4-5, 9 and 10c
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

The Psalm of praise remembers the covenant with Abraham, supporting the first reading from Hebrews. We are reminded that God has given us all things and we should be thankful.

Gospel Mk 2:23-28

Mark again depicts Christ in contention with the scribes and Pharisees, this time because the picked grain to eat on the Sabbath which is considered “work” and is forbidden. Jesus goes to the spirit of the Law and gives them the example of David from 1 Sam 21:2-7 in which an exception is made to the regulation of Lev 24:9 because of the extreme hunger of David and his men. He then refutes Pharisaic Law which was added to the Old Testament tradition. He reminds them; “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” The passage closes by stating that this is one more proof of Jesus’ identity.

Reflection:

“That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."

Are we convinced yet? We have started our second week celebrating the fullness of Jesus’ revelation. We are given encouragement in scripture to remain steadfast in our faith on a daily basis so we can achieve what those who have gone before us have received. The Book of Hebrews has that theme through out. The Psalm reminds us that all we have and all we are is of God and from God. Finally we hear how the Lord came to fulfill what was promised; he is the Lord and King sent by God to lead us to salvation.

If we believe that the Holy Scripture is truth (see especially Dei Verbum), then we must see in this body, the history of God’s love for his creation unfolded for us. If we accept scripture as the divinely inspired work of God’s servants on earth, then we must come to understand the great gifts God has given us; creation, life, and finally His promise. His promise first to Abraham that faithfulness on earth would be rewarded. His second promise to all of us sealed with a sacrifice not just an oath. The sacrifice was God’s own Son delivered up so that our understanding of His love for us could be complete.

Are we convinced yet? Those who are in this spot are probably convinced, those who are not interested in being convinced are not likely to read what they might consider to be “Pious Pap.” So what are we to do about such people, and we encounter them each day. How can we convince them that Holy Scripture is truth and the truth shall set them free? They will ask for proofs; proof that God exists to which we say; “Look around you. Is this an accident of nature?” They will say; “It could be.” Science has explained away so much of the wonder of creation.

The only proof we can offer that cannot be refuted is our own peace that comes from Christ through the Holy Spirit. If we challenge those who do not believe with facts, we will never succeed. Only St. Thomas the Apostle, who demanded facts, was satisfied. God has always asked instead for faith. No, we must challenge those who cannot see the way with our own example. We must diligently follow the way of love provided by Jesus. And we must be patient in that love because, we accomplish nothing of worth without God’s help and God’s time is not necessarily our own.

Pax

Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Monday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 5:1-10

This is an important passage from the standpoint of understanding the call to ministry, especially the Priesthood. It is frequently used at ordinations and provides an understanding of what it means to be called to a vocation; “No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God.”

The second part of the reading continues with Christ’s own call. The author does an excellent job of capturing Christ’s humanity in this description.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek

We are given the reference point used in the Hebrews reading we just heard. The psalmist, David, reflects upon the call to service of the people. The final verse specifically mentions the High Priest Melchizedek. Melchizedek was the ancient king of Salem (Jerusalem) who blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20); like other kings of the time he performed priestly functions.

Gospel Mk 2:18-22

Once again, I cannot do better than the footnote on this section from the NAB: “Can the wedding guests fast?: the bridal metaphor expresses a new relationship of love between God and his people in the person and mission of Jesus to his disciples. It is the inauguration of the new and joyful messianic time of fulfillment and the passing of the old. Any attempt at assimilating the Pharisaic practice of fasting, or of extending the preparatory discipline of John's disciples beyond the arrival of the bridegroom, would be as futile as sewing a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak or pouring new wine into old wineskins with the resulting destruction of both cloth and wine (Mark 2:21-22). Fasting is rendered superfluous during the earthly ministry of Jesus; cf Mark 2:20.”

Reflection:

After reading the footnote on the Gospel which was quoted above, we wonder if this part of the Gospel is used by the Protestant sects to refute our practice of fasting and abstinence during Lent and on Fridays. It is clear that in this example, Jesus was speaking of his earthly ministry as being the reasons his disciples did not fast. It is also clear that the disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting as a “sin offering” and since the Messiah came as that offering, fasting was not necessary.

What immediately grabs us today is that first reading from Hebrews that speaks of the call to service. While Melchizedek is the archetype for the modern Priest, his ancient role is instructive for us as well. It seems that Melchizedek was a secular king and he was deputized by Abraham (the picture above is that event) to perform priestly tasks for the people.

In that same sense we are called to be a “priestly people” ministering to one another. Just as the bridal metaphor used again today is a symbol of God’s love for his people, so we are called, by his example to demonstrate that same love to our brothers and sisters. As usual, this is the difficult part of our calling. But this is one we can put on someone else. If you ask yourself why you are ignoring your baser impulses and sacrificing for the sake of others, you can tell others, “God made me do it.” For, hopefully, it is for His greater glory that we do this things and it is only with His help that we accomplish any good thing.

Pax

ALTRE

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time [1]

Commentary:

Reading 1 Is 62:1-5

Isaiah prophesies the coming of the Christ with several references and images. Christ is identified as the vindication of Israel. Once the Lord has delivered his salvation the land will be called the Lord’s delight. Finally the image of the bridegroom and the bride are used as a common metaphor for the Messiah and the people of God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Our psalm selection is one of praise and worship. It begins with songs of proclamation then moves to imploring praise and honor and finally and instruction on attire and demeanor.

Reading II 1 Cor 12:4-11

St. Paul associates different gifts within the community to the same Holy Spirit. He thus calls out the beauty of diversity and the need for it within the community of faith. All gifts serve the same purpose; the greater glory of God. All gifts are needed within the body of Christ which is his Church.

Gospel Jn 2:1-11

St. John gives us the story of Jesus first revelatory action following his Baptism by John in the Jordan. He and his disciples are invited to a wedding, the wine runs our, and Jesus’ mother lets her son know that the time has come for his revelation, even though Jesus does not think so.

Ironically the stone water jars were there for the ceremonial cleansing, the very Hebrew custom John the Baptist took and created the call to repentance. The Hebrew custom was symbolic, the Lord would later make it efficacious.

The final statement in this story; “…his disciples began to believe in him” is the only time in John where there was any doubt about the Lord’s true identity on their part.

Homily:

Welcome to the incredible celebration in which we are about to participate! You may ask; “Wait a minute, is today something special? Didn’t we just start Ordinary Time?” The answer to both of those questions is “Yes” even though they seem to contradict each other.

Today is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time by the Church Calendar. But, as with many words in our faith, the word “Ordinary” has a different meaning than our common English usage. We could talk about the root of the word – from the Latin “ordo” or order, but that would bore the young folks who never had to take Latin and bring back bad memories congregation to those of us who studied the language in earlier days.

The Church uses the word Ordinary in an extraordinary way, if you will excuse the pun. For instance, the “Local Ordinary” or the person who is in charge of the Church of Lansing of which we are a part is an extraordinary person named Bishop Carl Mengling. Another example, the Ordinary Minister of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a Priest. The Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist is a Priest or Deacon. Contrast this with the use of “Extraordinary” in the Church. There are Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist; these are lay persons delegated by the Pastor (the Ordinary Minister) to bring communion to the sick and homebound outside of the assembly and to assist the Ordinary Ministers in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ in this assembly. Priests of the Diocese are frequently delegated as Extraordinary Ministers of the Sacrament of Confirmation by the Ordinary Minister of the sacrament which is the Bishop.

Now we can come back to the Calendar and get a better understanding of Ordinary Time. Ordinary time celebrates the mystery of Christ in all His fullness. He is revealed as the Son of God at Epiphany we celebrated last week, during the Lenten season we focus on preparing ourselves for the great Feast of Easter. During “Ordinary Time” we try to understand what God asks of us, through His Son and the Holy Spirit. We marvel at the wonders of God’s love and the Life of Christ among us.

In the beginning we asked two questions. The first as you recall was; “Didn’t we just start ‘Ordinary Time?’” The second was; “Is something special going on today?” The answer to that question is also, emphatically, “Yes”.

Today we celebrate the great wedding feast of the Church. We heard in St. John’s Gospel the story of the Wedding at Cana, one of what has been called the “Wow” miracles of the Lord because it is so spectacular. The Lord, along with his disciples goes to Cana to a wedding. While he is there, the host runs out of wine. It would be very embarrassing for the couple to have this happen so Jesus’ mother brings it to the Lord’s attention.

We see the Lord struggle with this. He tells his mother; “My hour has not yet come.” But she tells the servants; “Do whatever he tells you.” She knows, somehow, that something remarkable is about to take place. The Lord then tells the servants to fill six large stone jars with water and somehow that water becomes wine.

It is almost difficult for us to look past the miracle to see all that this event says to us. We see the image of Jesus stepping out of time.

He at once is the wine; his blood poured out for us.
He is the groom who takes the church as his bride.
He stands with our Priest as once more water and wine become our salvation.

And we have a part too. We stand as the servants who hear Mary say; “Do whatever he tells you.”
We stand as the servants who know where that “Best” wine came from and how it came to be in those stone jars.
We know there were only six and not seven because it was not yet His time.

Is this just an Ordinary sequence of events in the life of Jesus? What a wondrous gift he has given. And all he asks in return is our acceptance of that gift, accepting our role as the children of that marriage of the Lord and His Church.

Amen

[1] ALTRE

Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time &
St. Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Biographical Information about St. Hilary
Readings for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 4:12-16

The selection from Hebrews today continues the passage from yesterday. It speaks first of the Word of God (The Logos) and how the Lord is omnipresent and hyper-vigilant. The next paragraph introduces Christ as the “great high priest” and contrasts the Lord with the Hebrew high priest, using that image as an analogy.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

We are given a formula profession of faith in this song. We begin with the Law of God then the rules based upon the Law, and finally on faith in God. Essentially this litany says if you follow God’s law in all its fullness salvation is yours.

Gospel Mk 2:13-17

St. Mark’s story of the call of Levi (who is really St. Matthew) is the setting for the next conflict/response interchange. Today the scribes and Pharisees challenge Jesus on the people he chooses to associate with. The Lord’s answer is one familiar to us; "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Reflection:

We can identify with “Levi” the tax collector. He is a civil servant doing a job and in our day, it would be like working for the IRS. Like in our day, that role carried with it a degree of power and that power was frequently misused. So, when the Lord called “Levi”, he was doing something very controversial.

As expected, when Christ does something out of the ordinary, he gets challenged by the scribes and Pharisees who are not tagging along with him, keeping an eye on him, no doubt. His response today was in the form of a thinly veiled analogy. When asked why he associated with sinners, he responded; “Those who are well do not need a physician”.

How easy it would have been for the Lord to have just stayed around Nazareth, working with Joseph at carpentry, talking to friends and not exposing himself to the difficult, seemingly impossible task, of spreading word of the Kingdom of God and calling people to faith. That very contrast is the message we can take away from scripture today.

The Lord did not call us to follow him because it would be easy, or popular, or convenient, or even make us feel good all the time. He called us because it is the path to life and peace. When we start to feel, like the audience of the Letter to the Hebrews, that following that path is too much trouble and it’s frequently not “fun”. We need to remember the “Great High Priest” who could have stayed at home but did not.

We can take this example even further. Just in case we think we are sacrificing for Jesus sake and are going above and beyond (“I give a lot to the Church.” Or “I volunteer several hours a month.”), let’s ask ourselves if we have gone outside our comfort zone. Have we really reached out as Jesus did to the poor and marginalized and brought joy to the hopeless? It is the great paradox. The more we are given, more is expected. If we have gone a mile, we are called to go two or five. Further, we are called to do so joyfully, rejoicing that God has given us this opportunity.

Pax

ALTRE

Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time

Commentary:

Reading 1 Heb 4:1-5, 11

Our reading from Hebrews today continues the discussion of Psalm 95 we hear yesterday. The author defends the faith of his audience by saying they are not like their ancestors who rebelled against God (Ps 95; 8-9). The remainder of the passage focuses, through reference to the creation account from Genesis, on avoiding disobedience and entering his rest.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 78:3 and 4bc, 6c-7, 8
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!

Psalm 78 also looks back at the rebellion against God of those who followed Moses out of Egypt. The psalmist sings of handing down the faith in God and the story of His works from generation to generation.

Gospel Mk 2:1-12

The story of Jesus healing the paralytic, which we are given today, begins Jesus’ conflicts with the scribes and Pharisees in Mark’s Gospel. In this story the link between sin and physical affliction is referred to directly as is healing and faith. Later in the Gospel Mark attaches even more importance to faith as a component of healing.

We are given a remarkable statement; “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” This statement was clearly intended for us as opposed to the scribes, who would have rejected it or the paralytic who already accepted him.

Reflection:

Since the beginning of Ordinary Time on Tuesday of this week we have been following the Letter to the Hebrews, which encourages us not to waiver in our faith or become complacent, and the Gospel of Mark that has been giving us stories of Jesus healing and forgiving sins across Galilee. These have been glued together with psalms that support the need for us to remain faithful.

Today we have come to a climax. Jesus performs a spectacular healing in the presence of the scribes and Pharisees and they challenge him. He makes it plain to all present that he has the authority to forgive sins. And the scribes see the logic but completely miss the truth. They say; “Who but God alone can forgive sins?” They are right of course, only God can forgive sins and Jesus just did. But rather than making the connection (“Oh, he must be the Son of God”), they reject him. So he goes further and asks them if it is easier to forgive sins or to heal the paralytic, and then he says; “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” We can only imagine their faces when he did that. In front of a huge crowd they had challenged the Lord and he had refuted them spectacularly.

While the proofs we are given for the identity of Jesus in this story are powerful and sustain our faith, the Lord’s example is what we are called to focus on. It is his example of forgiveness that we as believers in the Son of Man must take to heart.

Forgiveness is part of the difficult path we walk with the Lord. The one the Letter to the Hebrews speaks of that may cause us to falter. It is because the Lord’s example of forgiveness just starts with today’s example of the healing of the paralytic. The final example comes as he utters; “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” as he hangs upon the cross.
In that context what he does for the paralytic is easy. He knows, as only Christ can know, the paralytic and all of is sins. Those sins are minor compared to that great injustice done to him in the Passion. Yet he shows us that forgiveness is mandatory, even when it flows from injustice.

That is our message today, forgiveness and faith, two “F” words that better be in our vocabulary.

Pax

ALTRE