Christmas Weekday
Lectionary: 206
Lectionary: 206
If you consider
that God is righteous,
you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him sins;
no one who sins has seen him or known him.
you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him sins;
no one who sins has seen him or known him.
Responsorial PsalmPS 98:1, 3CD-4, 5-6
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving
power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
AlleluiaJN 1:14A, 12A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him
he gave power to become the children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him
he gave power to become the children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 1:29-34
John the Baptist
saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
Meditation: "Behold the Lamb of God!"
John calls Jesus the Lamb
of God and thus signifies Jesus' mission as the One who redeems us
from our sins. The blood of the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12)
delivered the Israelites in Egypt from slavery and death. The Lord Jesus freely
offered up his life for us on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins
(1 Corinthians 5:7). The blood which he poured out for us on the cross
cleanses, heals, and frees us from our slavery to sin, and from the "wages
of sin which is death" (Romans 6:23) and the "destruction of both body
and soul in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
John points to
Jesus' saving mission - to offerup his life as the atoning sacrifice for
our sins
It is significant that John was the son of Zachariah, a priest of Israel who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). John recognized that Jesus was the perfect unblemished lamb offered by the Father in heaven as the one and only sacrifice that could cancel the debt of sin, and free us from death and the destruction of body and soul in hell.
It is significant that John was the son of Zachariah, a priest of Israel who participated in the daily sacrifice of a lamb in the temple for the sins of the people (Exodus 29). John recognized that Jesus was the perfect unblemished lamb offered by the Father in heaven as the one and only sacrifice that could cancel the debt of sin, and free us from death and the destruction of body and soul in hell.
The Holy Spirit
reveals who Jesus truly is - the Son of God and Savior of the world
When John says he did not know Jesus (John 1:31,33) he was referring to the hidden reality of Jesus' divinity. But the Holy Spirit in that hour revealed to John Jesus' true nature, such that John bore witness that this is the Son of God. How can we be certain that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God? The Holy Spirit makes the Lord Jesus Christ known to us through the gift of faith. God gives us his Spirit as our helper and guide who opens our hearts and minds to receive and comprehend the great mystery and plan of God - to unite all things in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:10).
When John says he did not know Jesus (John 1:31,33) he was referring to the hidden reality of Jesus' divinity. But the Holy Spirit in that hour revealed to John Jesus' true nature, such that John bore witness that this is the Son of God. How can we be certain that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of the living God? The Holy Spirit makes the Lord Jesus Christ known to us through the gift of faith. God gives us his Spirit as our helper and guide who opens our hearts and minds to receive and comprehend the great mystery and plan of God - to unite all things in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:10).
Do you want to grow in
the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ? Ask the Lord to pour his Holy Spirit
upon you to deepen your faith, hope, and love for God and for the plan he has
for your life.
"Lord Jesus
Christ, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit and let me grow in the
knowledge of your great love and truth. Let your Spirit be aflame in my heart
that I may know and love you more fervently and strive to do your will in all
things."
 Be Inspired! |
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January 3, 2015.
Christmas Weekday
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John 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw
Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away
the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ´A man is coming after me
who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.´ I did not know him, but
the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to
Israel.” John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a
dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who
sent me to baptize with water told me, ´On whomever you see the Spirit come
down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.´ Now I
have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
Introductory
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that
all Christians are called to proclaim you with their lives and to follow the
path you have taught. I want to grow closer to you and to be more the person
you want me to be. I love you and long to be transformed by your grace!
Petition: Holy Spirit, help me to be attentive and docile to your
inspirations.
1. Trust in the
Lord and Let Him Lead You: Although
John the Baptist knew that he was sent as the Precursor of the Messiah, he
did not initially know who the Messiah would be. But he did not let
uncertainty about the details stop him. He knew that God had a plan and that
he was called to play a part in it; as soon as he knew what direction to go,
he went, regardless of not knowing his exact destination. Sometimes we can
want to have total knowledge of God’s plan, and we hesitate to go forward until
we’re sure we know exactly what to do. However, God rarely gives us a full
view of his plan before we start out. He wants us to trust in him, to act on
what we do know, and to be confident that God will bring his plan to a good
end. Not that we shouldn’t have all the foresight we can, but we can’t expect
God to let us in on his “master plan.” When God calls us, our response should
be to follow without questioning God’s ways.
2. The Holy
Spirit Is Our Guide: The fact
that we have to trust in God and allow him to reveal his plan as we go along
means that we have to be very attentive to his work in our life. John the
Baptist recognized Jesus because he was paying total attention to the signs
God was giving him: the Holy Spirit revealed to him that Jesus was the
Messiah. God will usually not speak to us through visions and special signs;
however, if we have St. John the Baptist’s attitude of openness to the
inspirations of the Holy Spirit and seeing God’s will in the events around
us, we will be able to discern his plan for our life and fulfill it. The most
important time to listen to God is in prayer, so setting aside time to be
with God has to be part of our daily routine.
3. Dealing with
the Unexpected: When St. John the
Baptist realized that Jesus was the Messiah, it might have been a surprise.
They were related through their mothers’ families, and they may have known
each other in youth before John went out into the desert. However, John
clearly states that he did not know who the Messiah was until the moment the
Holy Spirit revealed Jesus’ true identity. John may well have shared the
common opinion that Jesus was a man like any other, albeit outstanding in
justice and piety. The important thing is that he doesn’t doubt the divine
inspiration. Rather, he immediately acts on it, proclaiming Jesus to his
followers. In our own lives, God may well ask us to do the unexpected, or we
may see his will in places we least expect it. We need to have St. John the
Baptist’s readiness to see God’s hand and act on it, even if it goes contrary
to our expectations.
Conversation with
Christ: Lord Jesus, knowing your
will in my life can be hard at times. Even when I think I do know what you
want from me, it can be difficult to follow through — especially when it is
something that I did not expect or that requires that I go beyond my “comfort
zone.” But, Lord, I do want to do your will. Grant me the same spirit of
docility and dedication as St. John the Baptist!
Resolution: Today I will renew in prayer my personal
commitment to always seek to know and follow God’s will in my life. I will
try to heed the inspirations that the Holy Spirit gives to guide me on the
right path.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, CHRISTMAS WEEKDAY, JOHN
1:29-34
(1 John 2:29―3:6; Psalm 98)
(1 John 2:29―3:6; Psalm 98)
KEY VERSE: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (v 29).
READING: When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to him for baptism, he called him by the significant title: "Lamb of God" (v 29). Just as the blood of the Passover lamb saved the Israelites from death (Ex 12), Jesus, the new Paschal lamb, would shed his blood for the sins of the world. Jesus was God's suffering servant who would be led "like a lamb to slaughter" (Is 53:7-10). In the book of Revelation, Jesus is portrayed as the victorious lamb who conquered evil through his death and resurrection (Rv 5:6-14). John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the anointed one (the Messiah) when he saw God's Spirit come to rest upon him "like a dove" (Jn 2:32). Jesus, God's Son, baptized not with water but with the purifying grace of the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTING: How can I point the way to Jesus for others?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, thank you for giving me life by dying for my sins.
Optional Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus
IHS is a monogram of the name of Jesus Christ. From the third century the Christian inscriptions, the nomina sacra, or names of Jesus Christ, were shortened (IH and XP, for Jesus and Christus). In the next century the chi-rho occurs not only as an abbreviation but also as a symbol for the name of Jesus. "Jesus" is a form of the Hebrew name "Joshua" whose name means "The Lord is salvation." It was a man named Joshua who led Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. It is Jesus, who through his sacrifice on the cross, leads us across the waters of our baptism into new life, and into the Promised Land of heaven. Paul wrote, "God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9-11).
Saturday 3 January 2015
Most Holy Name of Jesus.
1 John 2:29 – 3:6. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God—Ps 97(98):1, 3-6. John 1:29-34.
1 John 2:29 – 3:6. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God—Ps 97(98):1, 3-6. John 1:29-34.
Readings
What is in a name?
We only have to look
around at the advertising slogans that proliferate in the media to see the
value of having or being associated with the right name or label. Wearing or
using a labelled product can ensure our popularity in certain circles.
Today the church
celebrates its only true brand: the Holy Name of Jesus. This feast recognises
that through this human name we encounter God. The name of Jesus is the name of
the Incarnate Word of God. It is through this name that we have salvation.
John the Baptist was not
into wearing labels yet he did not hesitate to label Jesus ‘the Lamb of God’
when he saw him approaching. Further still, he did not see Jesus as a means of
making himself more popular but recognised that it was now time for him to move
into the background and allow Jesus to fulfil his mission on earth.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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God’s Gifts
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Only a spirit of expropriation, recognizing everything as a gift
from God, enables a person to live in the deepest truth about his or her life.
Joy naturally follows when a person lives in such a truth.
anuary
3
Most Holy Name of Jesus
Most Holy Name of Jesus
In a world of fiercely guarded corporate names and logos, it
should be easy to understand this feast. The letters IHS are an abbreviation of Jesous,
the Greek name for Jesus.
Although
St. Paul might claim credit for promoting devotion to the Holy Name because
Paul wrote in Philippians that God the Father gave Christ Jesus “that name that
is above every name” (see 2:9), this devotion became popular because of
12th-century Cistercian monks and nuns but especially through the preaching of
St. Bernardine of Siena, a 15th-century Franciscan (May 20).
Bernardine
used devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus as a way of overcoming bitter and often
bloody class struggles and family rivalries or vendettas in Italian
city-states. The devotion grew, partly because of Franciscan and Dominican
preachers. It spread even more widely after the Jesuits began promoting it in
the 16th century.
In 1530,
Pope Clement V approved an Office of the Holy Name for the Franciscans. In
1721, Pope Innocent XIII extended this feast to the entire Church.
Comment:
Jesus died and rose for the sake of all people. No one can trademark or copyright Jesus' name. Jesus is the Son of God and son of Mary. Everything that exists was created in and through the Son of God (see Colossians 1:15-20). The name of Jesus is debased if any Christian uses it as justification for berating non-Christians. Jesus reminds us that because we are all related to him we are, therefore, all related to one another.
Jesus died and rose for the sake of all people. No one can trademark or copyright Jesus' name. Jesus is the Son of God and son of Mary. Everything that exists was created in and through the Son of God (see Colossians 1:15-20). The name of Jesus is debased if any Christian uses it as justification for berating non-Christians. Jesus reminds us that because we are all related to him we are, therefore, all related to one another.
Quote:
“Glorious name, gracious name, name of love and of power! Through you sins are forgiven, through you enemies are vanquished, through you the sick are freed from their illness, through you those suffering in trials are made strong and cheerful. You bring honor to those who believe, you teach those who preach, you give strength to the toiler, you sustain the weary” (St. Bernardine of Siena).
“Glorious name, gracious name, name of love and of power! Through you sins are forgiven, through you enemies are vanquished, through you the sick are freed from their illness, through you those suffering in trials are made strong and cheerful. You bring honor to those who believe, you teach those who preach, you give strength to the toiler, you sustain the weary” (St. Bernardine of Siena).
LECTIO DIVINA:
JOHN 1,29-34
Lectio:
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Christmas Time
1) Opening prayer
Father, you make known the salvation of mankind
at the birth of your Son.
Make us strong in faith
and bring us to the glory you promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
at the birth of your Son.
Make us strong in faith
and bring us to the glory you promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - John 1,29-34
The next day, he saw Jesus coming towards him and said, 'Look,
there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. It was of him
that I said, "Behind me comes one who has passed ahead of me because he
existed before me." I did not know him myself, and yet my purpose in
coming to baptise with water was so that he might be revealed to Israel.'
And John declared, 'I saw the Spirit come down on him like a dove from heaven and rest on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is to baptise with the Holy Spirit." I have seen and I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.'
And John declared, 'I saw the Spirit come down on him like a dove from heaven and rest on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is to baptise with the Holy Spirit." I have seen and I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.'
3) Reflection
• In the Gospel of John, history and the symbol join together.
In today’s text, the symbolism consists above all in recalling texts of the Old
Testament which we know and which reveal something concerning the identity of
Jesus of Nazareth. In these few verses (Jn 1, 29-34) we find the following
expressions which contain a symbolical density or depth: 1) Lamb of God; 2) Who
takes away the sins of the world; 3) He existed before me; 4) The descent of
the Spirit in the form of a dove; 5) Son of God.
• Lamb of God. This title recalls, brings to mind, the Exodus. The night of the first Passover. The blood of the Paschal Lamb, with which the doors of the houses were signed, was for the people a sign of liberation (Ex 12, 13-14). For the first Christians Jesus is the new Paschal Lamb who liberates his people (1 Co 5, 7; 1 P 1, 19; Rev 5, 6.9).
• Who takes away the sins of the World. This recalls a very beautiful phrase of the prophecy of Jeremiah: “There will be no further need for everyone to teach neighbour or brother: “You will know the Lord, they will all know me, from the least to the greatest, says the Lord; since I shall forgive their guilt and never more call their sin to mind” (Jer 31, 34).
• He existed before me. This recalls several texts of the Books of Wisdom, in which it is spoken about God’s Wisdom which existed before all the other creatures and which was with God, like a master of the works in the creation of the Universe and that, at the end, fixed her dwelling among the people of God (Pro 8, 22-31; Eccl 24, 1-11).
• The descent of the Spirit in the form of a dove. It recalls the creative action where it is said that the “Spirit of God sweeping over the waters” (Gen 1, 2). The text of Genesis suggests the image of a bird which flies over its nest. An image of the new creation in movement thanks to the action of Jesus.
• Son of God; this is the title which summarizes all the others. The best comment of this title is the explanation of Jesus himself: “The Jews answered him: ‘We are stoning you not for doing a good work, but for blasphemy: though you are only a man, you claim to be God”. Jesus answered: “Is it not written in your Law: I said: you are gods? So it uses the word ‘gods’ of those people to whom the word of God was addressed (and Scripture cannot be set aside), Yet to someone whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ because I said, ‘I am Son of God’? If I am not doing my Father’s work there is no need to believe me, but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in me, at least believe in the work I do; then you will know for certain that the Father is in me and I am in the Father” (Jn 10, 33-38).
• Lamb of God. This title recalls, brings to mind, the Exodus. The night of the first Passover. The blood of the Paschal Lamb, with which the doors of the houses were signed, was for the people a sign of liberation (Ex 12, 13-14). For the first Christians Jesus is the new Paschal Lamb who liberates his people (1 Co 5, 7; 1 P 1, 19; Rev 5, 6.9).
• Who takes away the sins of the World. This recalls a very beautiful phrase of the prophecy of Jeremiah: “There will be no further need for everyone to teach neighbour or brother: “You will know the Lord, they will all know me, from the least to the greatest, says the Lord; since I shall forgive their guilt and never more call their sin to mind” (Jer 31, 34).
• He existed before me. This recalls several texts of the Books of Wisdom, in which it is spoken about God’s Wisdom which existed before all the other creatures and which was with God, like a master of the works in the creation of the Universe and that, at the end, fixed her dwelling among the people of God (Pro 8, 22-31; Eccl 24, 1-11).
• The descent of the Spirit in the form of a dove. It recalls the creative action where it is said that the “Spirit of God sweeping over the waters” (Gen 1, 2). The text of Genesis suggests the image of a bird which flies over its nest. An image of the new creation in movement thanks to the action of Jesus.
• Son of God; this is the title which summarizes all the others. The best comment of this title is the explanation of Jesus himself: “The Jews answered him: ‘We are stoning you not for doing a good work, but for blasphemy: though you are only a man, you claim to be God”. Jesus answered: “Is it not written in your Law: I said: you are gods? So it uses the word ‘gods’ of those people to whom the word of God was addressed (and Scripture cannot be set aside), Yet to someone whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ because I said, ‘I am Son of God’? If I am not doing my Father’s work there is no need to believe me, but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in me, at least believe in the work I do; then you will know for certain that the Father is in me and I am in the Father” (Jn 10, 33-38).
4) Personal questions
• Jesus offered himself, completely, for the whole of humanity,
and I, what can I offer to help my neighbour?
• We have also received the Holy Spirit. How conscious or aware am I that I am his Temple?
• We have also received the Holy Spirit. How conscious or aware am I that I am his Temple?
5) Concluding prayer
Sing a new song to Yahweh,
for he has performed wonders,
his saving power is in his right hand
and his holy arm. (Ps 98,1)
for he has performed wonders,
his saving power is in his right hand
and his holy arm. (Ps 98,1)
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