Saturday after Epiphany
Lectionary: 217
Lectionary: 217
Beloved:
We have this confidence in him
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask,
we know that what we have asked him for is ours.
If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly,
he should pray to God and he will give him life.
This is only for those whose sin is not deadly.
There is such a thing as deadly sin,
about which I do not say that you should pray.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.
We know that anyone begotten by God does not sin;
but the one begotten by God he protects,
and the Evil One cannot touch him.
We know that we belong to God,
and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One.
We also know that the Son of God has come
and has given us discernment to know the one who is true.
And we are in the one who is true,
in his Son Jesus Christ.
He is the true God and eternal life.
Children, be on your guard against idols.
We have this confidence in him
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask,
we know that what we have asked him for is ours.
If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly,
he should pray to God and he will give him life.
This is only for those whose sin is not deadly.
There is such a thing as deadly sin,
about which I do not say that you should pray.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.
We know that anyone begotten by God does not sin;
but the one begotten by God he protects,
and the Evil One cannot touch him.
We know that we belong to God,
and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One.
We also know that the Son of God has come
and has given us discernment to know the one who is true.
And we are in the one who is true,
in his Son Jesus Christ.
He is the true God and eternal life.
Children, be on your guard against idols.
Responsorial Psalm PS 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
GospelJN 3:22-30
Jesus and his
disciples went into the region of Judea,
where he spent some time with them baptizing.
John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim,
because there was an abundance of water there,
and people came to be baptized,
for John had not yet been imprisoned.
Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew
about ceremonial washings.
So they came to John and said to him,
“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan,
to whom you testified,
here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”
John answered and said,
“No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.
You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,
but that I was sent before him.
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;
the best man, who stands and listens for him,
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.
So this joy of mine has been made complete.
He must increase; I must decrease.”
where he spent some time with them baptizing.
John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim,
because there was an abundance of water there,
and people came to be baptized,
for John had not yet been imprisoned.
Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew
about ceremonial washings.
So they came to John and said to him,
“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan,
to whom you testified,
here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”
John answered and said,
“No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.
You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,
but that I was sent before him.
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;
the best man, who stands and listens for him,
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.
So this joy of mine has been made complete.
He must increase; I must decrease.”
Meditation: "This joy of mine is now full"
Do you know the joy of the Lord? When some friends of John the
Baptist complain that all the people are now going to Jesus, John in his
characteristic humility exclaimed that he was not the Messiah but only the
messenger sent to prepare his way. John describes the Messiah as the Bridegroom
and himself as the friend of the Bridegroom. The image of the groom delighting
in his bride and the joy of the wedding feast is used in the Bible as a sign or
symbol of God's covenant love and joy in being united with his people, whom he
calls his bride. As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall
your God rejoice over you (Isaiah 62:5). Through the gift of the Holy
Spirit John recognized that Jesus was the annointed Messiah, sent from the
Father in heaven to reunite his people to himself. John acted as the groom's
best man in arranging the marriage and in making preparations for the marriage
feast. John and his disciples now rejoice that the Bridegroom has come to make
his bride, the people of God, ready for the marriage feast. The New Testament
tells us that Christ's blood which was shed upon the cross as the atoning
sacrifice for our sins, seals us in a new covenant between God
and his people. The Book of Revelation depicts the final fulfillment and
consummation of this new covenant relationship at the marriage feast of the
"Lamb and his Bride" in the New Jerusalem (see Revelations
21-22). Do you look with joyful anticipation to the consummation of God's plan
for his people at the end of the ages?
"Lord Jesus, may I never forget the love you have poured
out for me when you shed your blood upon the Cross of Calvary for my sins and
for my salvation. May your love always grow in me and your hope fill me with
joy as I wait for your return in glory when all of your people will be fully
united with you at your heavenly banquet feast in the New Jerusalem."
 Where Less is More |
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Saturday After
Epiphany
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John 3:22-30
Jesus and his disciples went into the region
of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also
baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there,
and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a
dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial
washings. So they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was
with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and
everyone is coming to him." John answered and said, "No one can
receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves
can testify that I said (that) I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent
before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who
stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom´s voice. So
this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must
decrease."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, in spite of so many efforts, my
self-love and vanity cloud my intentions, reducing the merit of my labors for
you. Therefore I come before you empty-handed. Nevertheless, I’m confident in
your forgiveness, knowing that you are pleased to refresh and renew me as
often as I turn back to you with hope. I love you ardently, good Jesus, and
long to love you ever more.
Petition:Lord, help me to practice true humility.
1. “He Must Increase; I Must
Decrease”: This is the petition
that must burn in the heart of every authentic apostle and leader in the
faith. Often we seek ourselves in our vocation, in our apostolate, in our
service to the Church. Some offer themselves only when the work to be done
brings them honor or enhances their self-importance. We claim to serve
Christ, but if we have our status compromised by criticism or see someone
less capable moved ahead of us in rank, our heart crumbles in discouragement
and our commitment wanes. In moments when humility is asked of us, may we
pass the test that John passes in today’s Gospel. Every day we must look into
our hearts to see if they are mirrors reflecting back only self-centered
motivations, or if they are windows to the heart of Christ in the world,
centered only on humble service. Mirrors weaken the mission; windows empower
it.
2. “Rejoices Greatly at the Bridegroom´s
Voice”: Breaking the grip of
self-love is eminently positive work. We can let go of a lesser love only for
a greater one. Everyday John’s heart had set its aspiration and love on the
Messiah to come. All his ministerial action and spiritual ideals were
centered on Christ. His solitude in the desert permitted this love to grow without
distraction, communicated as it was in prayer and contemplation. As John
states, all he has received he received from heaven—from the supernatural
life given by contemplation and grace. Love for Christ was no overnight
endeavor, but was the work of years of prayer, self-conquest and fidelity to
the life of conversion he was to preach.
Conversation with Christ:Lord, I hear now what John heard: your
beautiful voice summoning union with your beloved, the Church. No greater
honor and love can I have than to ensure this union happens continuously,
perfectly and selflessly. May I learn to accept humiliation and forget myself
a thousand times over, so that the needs of your Mystical Body may be
brokered over my humble service and self-effacing manner. I pray that my
ignoble need to be praised and appreciated apart from your glory never
becomes the reason to find you separated from your spouse.
Resolution:I will pray a litany of humility with great
fervor today before I go to bed.
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ATURDAY, JANUARY 11, JOHN 3:22-30
Christmas Weekday
(1 John 5:14-21; Psalm 149)
KEY VERSE: "He must increase; I must decrease" (v 30).
READING: With the close of the ministry of John the Baptist, the age of promise was at an end, and the time of fulfillment was at hand. After Jesus was baptized by John, he spent time with his disciples who baptized those who chose to follow Jesus (John explained that Jesus did not baptize; only his disciples baptized, Jn 4:2). John the Baptist's disciples objected to the baptisms performed by Jesus' disciples. They complained that everyone was following Jesus instead of John. But the Baptist explained that no one could receive anything except what has been given from heaven (v 27). He reminded his jealous followers that he was simply the best man at the wedding, and it was Jesus who was the bridegroom. John's role was complete, and as his ministry decreased, he must step aside for Jesus whose role would now increase.
REFLECTING: Does my ministry draw more attention to myself than to Jesus?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to serve with humility like John.
Christmas Weekday
(1 John 5:14-21; Psalm 149)
KEY VERSE: "He must increase; I must decrease" (v 30).
READING: With the close of the ministry of John the Baptist, the age of promise was at an end, and the time of fulfillment was at hand. After Jesus was baptized by John, he spent time with his disciples who baptized those who chose to follow Jesus (John explained that Jesus did not baptize; only his disciples baptized, Jn 4:2). John the Baptist's disciples objected to the baptisms performed by Jesus' disciples. They complained that everyone was following Jesus instead of John. But the Baptist explained that no one could receive anything except what has been given from heaven (v 27). He reminded his jealous followers that he was simply the best man at the wedding, and it was Jesus who was the bridegroom. John's role was complete, and as his ministry decreased, he must step aside for Jesus whose role would now increase.
REFLECTING: Does my ministry draw more attention to myself than to Jesus?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to serve with humility like John.
The Lord takes delight in his people
‘He must grow greater: I must grow less.’Perhaps the mark of a true prophet consists precisely in this: he or she continues to point others onwards to the Lord. In relatively unspectacular ways, we are all called to be prophets. Sometimes people glimpse the love of God in our lives and they are drawn to us. It can be comforting to be the centre of a group and easier to bask in popularity than to challenge. John had the rare gift of being able to rejoice that people were leaving him and going after Jesus. Jesus, give me John’s greatness of heart and fidelity to the mission of revealing you to others. Let me have the sense to stand aside, so that my shadow may not block out your light.
January 11
Blessed William Carter
(d. 1584)
Blessed William Carter
(d. 1584)
Born in London, William Carter entered the printing business at an
early age. For many years he served as apprentice to well-known Catholic
printers, one of whom served a prison sentence for persisting in the Catholic
faith. William himself served time in prison following his arrest for
"printing lewd [i.e., Catholic] pamphlets" as well as possessing
books upholding Catholicism.
But even
more, he offended public officials by publishing works that aimed to keep
Catholics firm in their faith. Officials who searched his house found various
vestments and suspect books, and even managed to extract information from
William's distraught wife. Over the next 18 months William remained in prison,
suffering torture and learning of his wife's death.
He was
eventually charged with printing and publishing the Treatise of Schisme,
which allegedly incited violence by Catholics and which was said to have been
written by a traitor and addressed to traitors. While William calmly placed his
trust in God, the jury met for only 15 minutes before reaching a verdict of
"guilty." William, who made his final confession to a priest who was
being tried alongside him, was hanged, drawn and quartered the following day:
January 11, 1584.
He was
beatified in 1987.
Comment:
It didn’t pay to be Catholic in Elizabeth I’s realm. In an age when religious diversity did not yet seem possible, it was high treason, and practicing the faith was dangerous. William gave his life for his efforts to encourage his brothers and sisters to keep up the struggle. These days, our brothers and sisters also need encouragement—not because their lives are at risk, but because many other factors besiege their faith. They look to us.
It didn’t pay to be Catholic in Elizabeth I’s realm. In an age when religious diversity did not yet seem possible, it was high treason, and practicing the faith was dangerous. William gave his life for his efforts to encourage his brothers and sisters to keep up the struggle. These days, our brothers and sisters also need encouragement—not because their lives are at risk, but because many other factors besiege their faith. They look to us.
LECTIO DIVINA:
JOHN 3,22-30
Lectio:
Saturday, January 11, 2014
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
through your Son you made us a new creation.
He shared our nature and became one of us;
with his help, may we become more like him,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
through your Son you made us a new creation.
He shared our nature and became one of us;
with his help, may we become more like him,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - John 3,22-30
After this, Jesus went with his disciples into the Judaean
countryside and stayed with them there and baptised. John also was baptising at
Aenon near Salim, where there was plenty of water, and people were going there
and were being baptised. For John had not yet been put in prison.
Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew about purification, so they went to John and said, 'Rabbi, the man who was with you on the far side of the Jordan, the man to whom you bore witness, is baptising now, and everyone is going to him.' John replied: 'No one can have anything except what is given him from heaven. 'You yourselves can bear me out. I said, "I am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent to go in front of him." 'It is the bridegroom who has the bride; and yet the bridegroom's friend, who stands there and listens to him, is filled with joy at the bridegroom's voice. This is the joy I feel, and it is complete. He must grow greater, I must grow less.
Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew about purification, so they went to John and said, 'Rabbi, the man who was with you on the far side of the Jordan, the man to whom you bore witness, is baptising now, and everyone is going to him.' John replied: 'No one can have anything except what is given him from heaven. 'You yourselves can bear me out. I said, "I am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent to go in front of him." 'It is the bridegroom who has the bride; and yet the bridegroom's friend, who stands there and listens to him, is filled with joy at the bridegroom's voice. This is the joy I feel, and it is complete. He must grow greater, I must grow less.
3) Reflection
• Both John the Baptist and Jesus indicated a new way to the
crowds. But Jesus after having adhered to the movement of John the Baptist, and
after having been baptized by him, advanced a step ahead and created his own
movement. He baptized the persons in the Jordan River, when John the Baptist
was also doing it. Both of them attracted the poor and abandoned people of
Palestine, by announcing the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
• Jesus, the new preacher, had a certain advantage over John the Baptist. He baptized more people and attracted more disciples. Thus, a tension arose between the disciples of John and those of Jesus, concerning the “purification”, that is, concerning the value of Baptism. The disciples of John the Baptist experienced a certain envy and went to John to speak to him and informed him about the movement of Jesus.
• The response of John to his disciples is a beautiful response, which reveals his great spirit. John helps his disciples to see things more objectively. And he uses three arguments: a) Nobody receives anything which is not given by God. If Jesus does such beautiful things, it is because he receives them from God (Jn 3, 27). Instead of having envy, the disciples should feel joy. b) John reaffirms once again that he, John, is not the Messiah but only the precursor (Jn 3, 28). c) And at the end he uses a comparison, taken from the wedding feast. At that time, in Palestine, on the day of the wedding, in the house of the bride, the so called “friends of the bridegroom” waited for the arrival of the bridegroom to present him to the bride. In this case, Jesus is the bridegroom, the crowd is the bride. John the friend of the bridegroom. John the Baptist says that, in the voice of Jesus, he recognizes the voice of the bridegroom and can present him to the bride, to the crowds. At this moment, the bridegroom, the people, leave the friend of the bridegroom and follow Jesus, because they recognize in him the voice of their bridegroom!. And for this reason the joy of John is great, “complete joy”. John wants nothing for himself! His mission is to present the bridegroom to the bride! The last sentence summarizes everything: “He must grow greater, I must grow less!” This phrase is also the program for any person who follows Jesus.
• At the end of the first century, in Palestine as well as in Asia Minor, where there were some communities of Jews, there were also people who had been in contact with John the Baptist or who had been baptized by him (Acts 19, 3). Seen from outside, the movement of John the Baptist and that of Jesus were very similar to one another. Both of them announced the coming of the Kingdom (cfr. Mt 3, 1-2; 4, 17). There must have been some confusion between the followers of John and those of Jesus. And because of this, the witness of John about Jesus was very important. The four Gospel are concerned about giving the words of John the Baptist saying that he is not the Messiah. For the Christian communities, the Christian response, the response of John, “He must grow greater and I must grow less” was valid not only for the Disciples of John at the time of Jesus, but also for the disciples of the Batiste or Cambric community of the end of the first century.
• Jesus, the new preacher, had a certain advantage over John the Baptist. He baptized more people and attracted more disciples. Thus, a tension arose between the disciples of John and those of Jesus, concerning the “purification”, that is, concerning the value of Baptism. The disciples of John the Baptist experienced a certain envy and went to John to speak to him and informed him about the movement of Jesus.
• The response of John to his disciples is a beautiful response, which reveals his great spirit. John helps his disciples to see things more objectively. And he uses three arguments: a) Nobody receives anything which is not given by God. If Jesus does such beautiful things, it is because he receives them from God (Jn 3, 27). Instead of having envy, the disciples should feel joy. b) John reaffirms once again that he, John, is not the Messiah but only the precursor (Jn 3, 28). c) And at the end he uses a comparison, taken from the wedding feast. At that time, in Palestine, on the day of the wedding, in the house of the bride, the so called “friends of the bridegroom” waited for the arrival of the bridegroom to present him to the bride. In this case, Jesus is the bridegroom, the crowd is the bride. John the friend of the bridegroom. John the Baptist says that, in the voice of Jesus, he recognizes the voice of the bridegroom and can present him to the bride, to the crowds. At this moment, the bridegroom, the people, leave the friend of the bridegroom and follow Jesus, because they recognize in him the voice of their bridegroom!. And for this reason the joy of John is great, “complete joy”. John wants nothing for himself! His mission is to present the bridegroom to the bride! The last sentence summarizes everything: “He must grow greater, I must grow less!” This phrase is also the program for any person who follows Jesus.
• At the end of the first century, in Palestine as well as in Asia Minor, where there were some communities of Jews, there were also people who had been in contact with John the Baptist or who had been baptized by him (Acts 19, 3). Seen from outside, the movement of John the Baptist and that of Jesus were very similar to one another. Both of them announced the coming of the Kingdom (cfr. Mt 3, 1-2; 4, 17). There must have been some confusion between the followers of John and those of Jesus. And because of this, the witness of John about Jesus was very important. The four Gospel are concerned about giving the words of John the Baptist saying that he is not the Messiah. For the Christian communities, the Christian response, the response of John, “He must grow greater and I must grow less” was valid not only for the Disciples of John at the time of Jesus, but also for the disciples of the Batiste or Cambric community of the end of the first century.
4) Personal questions
• “He must grow greater, I must grow less”. This is John’s
program. Is this also my program?
• What is important is that the bride finds the bridegroom. We are only spokespersons, nothing more. And, am I this?
• What is important is that the bride finds the bridegroom. We are only spokespersons, nothing more. And, am I this?
5) Concluding prayer
They shall dance in praise of his name,
play to him on tambourines and harp!
For Yahweh loves his people,
he will crown the humble with salvation. (Ps 149,3-4)
play to him on tambourines and harp!
For Yahweh loves his people,
he will crown the humble with salvation. (Ps 149,3-4)
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