Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious
Biographical Information about St. Elizabeth
Readings for Thursday before Epiphany
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Jn 3:7-10
St. John continues his theme from yesterday. In today’s selection we find he has taken his comparison in a somewhat reflective direction, looking at the behavior of those who belong to God and those who belong to the Devil as being distinguishable to God because of their love for one another.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
We continue the “New Song” in Psalm 98 again today, rejoicing in the wondrous things God has accomplished. In our Christmas context we see God’s victory accomplished through Jesus who is the Christ, God’s right arm. In consequence of that victory, all of God’s creation rejoices with us.
Gospel Jn 1:35-42
Our Gospel continues to show how John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Messiah immediately. In this passage we see the impact of the prophet’s pronouncement on two of his disciples, one of whom we will come to revere as one of the Twelve, Andrew, brother of Peter, who receives his new name; “Rock” in this story.
The Word is beginning to spread – we approach the light that shines over the whole world.
Homily:
Let’s imagine today that we are hearing the “Jesus Story” for the first time; as if we suffered amnesia at the Feast of Christ the King that ended the Church year. Throughout Advent we were hearing about the coming of a great event, we were preparing ourselves because God was about to demonstrate his incredible love for us by giving us the gift of His Only Son.
Then, just a few short days ago, we heard the story of our Lord’s humble beginning; born, not as a king or prince, but in a manger. We were amazed to hear the choirs of angles announcing his birth to the nearby shepherds and felt the warmth of that star.
Our revelation is not yet complete though. We were told that the Son of God had been born, we heard about his parents being warned to flee with him to Egypt and have seen signs of his coming heritage when he stayed at the Temple, calling it his Father’s house.
This week, our expectation is being raised to new heights as the story unfolds even further. The Lord’s own cousin has become a prophet of great renown. Religious leaders from Jerusalem have even asked if he, John the Baptist, was the Messiah or possible Elijah returned from the dead. John told them there was one coming far greater than he, whose sandal straps he was not fit to tie.
Then, first yesterday and again today, we hear his say those amazing words; “Behold the Lamb of God.” The Lamb of God, the Christ, as St. Andrew named him to his brother Simon who was renamed, Peter. We hear those words and wonder, is this the one we were truly promised? The pieces are beginning to fit. All of the prophecies we have heard from Isaiah and Jeremiah, from Sirach and even the Psalms. Just today we heard the ancient psalmist say; “His right hand has won victory for him, His holy arm.” Who could that right hand and Holy Arm be but the Christ, the Lamb of God?
If we can imagine the power of hearing that story, living that story for the first time, we can get a sense of the awe and peace the Lord sends us in this season. Let us today sit back and recall the Jesus story from the beginning as if it were the first time and be brought to that wonderful place to which the Lord calls us.
Pax
Biographical Information about St. Elizabeth
Readings for Thursday before Epiphany
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Jn 3:7-10
St. John continues his theme from yesterday. In today’s selection we find he has taken his comparison in a somewhat reflective direction, looking at the behavior of those who belong to God and those who belong to the Devil as being distinguishable to God because of their love for one another.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
We continue the “New Song” in Psalm 98 again today, rejoicing in the wondrous things God has accomplished. In our Christmas context we see God’s victory accomplished through Jesus who is the Christ, God’s right arm. In consequence of that victory, all of God’s creation rejoices with us.
Gospel Jn 1:35-42
Our Gospel continues to show how John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Messiah immediately. In this passage we see the impact of the prophet’s pronouncement on two of his disciples, one of whom we will come to revere as one of the Twelve, Andrew, brother of Peter, who receives his new name; “Rock” in this story.
The Word is beginning to spread – we approach the light that shines over the whole world.
Homily:
Let’s imagine today that we are hearing the “Jesus Story” for the first time; as if we suffered amnesia at the Feast of Christ the King that ended the Church year. Throughout Advent we were hearing about the coming of a great event, we were preparing ourselves because God was about to demonstrate his incredible love for us by giving us the gift of His Only Son.
Then, just a few short days ago, we heard the story of our Lord’s humble beginning; born, not as a king or prince, but in a manger. We were amazed to hear the choirs of angles announcing his birth to the nearby shepherds and felt the warmth of that star.
Our revelation is not yet complete though. We were told that the Son of God had been born, we heard about his parents being warned to flee with him to Egypt and have seen signs of his coming heritage when he stayed at the Temple, calling it his Father’s house.
This week, our expectation is being raised to new heights as the story unfolds even further. The Lord’s own cousin has become a prophet of great renown. Religious leaders from Jerusalem have even asked if he, John the Baptist, was the Messiah or possible Elijah returned from the dead. John told them there was one coming far greater than he, whose sandal straps he was not fit to tie.
Then, first yesterday and again today, we hear his say those amazing words; “Behold the Lamb of God.” The Lamb of God, the Christ, as St. Andrew named him to his brother Simon who was renamed, Peter. We hear those words and wonder, is this the one we were truly promised? The pieces are beginning to fit. All of the prophecies we have heard from Isaiah and Jeremiah, from Sirach and even the Psalms. Just today we heard the ancient psalmist say; “His right hand has won victory for him, His holy arm.” Who could that right hand and Holy Arm be but the Christ, the Lamb of God?
If we can imagine the power of hearing that story, living that story for the first time, we can get a sense of the awe and peace the Lord sends us in this season. Let us today sit back and recall the Jesus story from the beginning as if it were the first time and be brought to that wonderful place to which the Lord calls us.
Pax
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