Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 320
Lectionary: 320
Brothers and
sisters:
Since through the Blood of Jesus
we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,
that is, his flesh,
and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,”
let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed in pure water.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.
We should not stay away from our assembly,
as is the custom of some, but encourage one another,
and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Since through the Blood of Jesus
we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,
that is, his flesh,
and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,”
let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed in pure water.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.
We should not stay away from our assembly,
as is the custom of some, but encourage one another,
and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Responsorial PsalmPS 24:1-2, 3-4AB, 5-6
R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see
your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
AlleluiaPS 119:105
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 4:21-25
Jesus said to his
disciples,
“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket
or under a bed,
and not to be placed on a lampstand?
For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;
nothing is secret except to come to light.
Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”
He also told them, “Take care what you hear.
The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still more will be given to you.
To the one who has, more will be given;
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket
or under a bed,
and not to be placed on a lampstand?
For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;
nothing is secret except to come to light.
Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”
He also told them, “Take care what you hear.
The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still more will be given to you.
To the one who has, more will be given;
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Meditation: "The measure you give"
What does the image of
light and a lamp tell us about God's kingdom? Lamps in the ancient world served
a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work
in the dark and to avoid stumbling. The Jews also understood "light"
as an expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. In
his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that
guides our steps(Psalm 119:105). God's grace not only illumines the
darkness in our lives, but it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and
peace.
Jesus used the image
of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth
and love. Just as natural light illumines the darkness and enables one to see
visually, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers
and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God's kingdom. In fact, our
mission is to be light-bearers of Christ so that others may
see the truth of the gospel and be freed from the blindness of sin and
deception.
Jesus remarks that
nothing can remain hidden or secret. We can try to hide things from others,
from ourselves, and from God. How tempting to shut our eyes from the
consequences of our sinful ways and bad habits, even when we know what those
consequences are. And how tempting to hide them from others and even from God.
But, nonetheless, everything is known to God who sees all.
There is great freedom
and joy for those who live in God's light and who seek his truth. Those who
listen to God and heed his voice will receive more from him; they will not lack
what they need to live as Christ's disciples, and they will shine as lights to
those who hunger for God's truth and wisdom. Do you know the joy and freedom of
living in God's light?
"Lord Jesus, you
guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your
light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin and deception that I may
see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I radiate your
light and truth to others in word and deed."
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Let Christ’s Light Shine |
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January 29, 2015.
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
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Mark 4:21-25
He said to them,
"Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed,
and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be
made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears
to hear ought to hear." He also told them, "Take care what you
hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and
still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from
the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
Introductory
Prayer: Lord, thank you for
reminding me today of my dignity as a Christian. By your grace in baptism and
by your teaching in the gospels and in the Church, you have put light in my
soul. Lord, you are my light.
Petition: Christ, help me to be a sincere witness of your light.
1. Transparency
in Our Lives: God sees us. This
is a simple truth—an extremely powerful truth. God looks at us with love. We
cannot hide from God. We cannot hide from ourselves. We cannot even hide from
others. We need to live in the presence of God. God lets light shine on our
lives so that we can see the truth about ourselves, and so that we need not
be ashamed that others see the truth about who we are. True happiness is
preserved and increased by the tenacious living of sincerity.
2. Light for the World: Our life is not just for ourselves. We are called to be a gift for others, a gift that leads them to God. This is the greatest thing about our life: We are called to give life. We are called to participate in the fruitfulness of God. We give life by enlightening others. We help other people come to the light by trying sincerely to go clearly towards the light and by not fearing to show people the truth. The light shed by our lives produces a real effect in souls. Vatican II reminds us that modern man needs reasons for hope. A Christian carries hope. Will I keep it hidden; perhaps even kill it by being afraid to share it? Or will I let the world receive hope? Will I let the world see that we all can be much greater than we think because our Father is greater than we think?
3. Standing
up for the Light of Truth to Be Lived: Moral
relativism seems to be the norm for our times. Many people think that they
can decide what principles they will live by, instead of seeking to form
their consciences by principles in accordance with God’s loving design for
the human person. Am I content merely to follow what I know to be right, or
do I also look to enlighten the consciences of others, prudently and
charitably? Have I ever given the impression of condoning actions that are
wrong? Do I take an interest in promoting the value of life in all of its
stages? Am I courageous in nobly defending others when people criticize them
behind their backs?
Conversation with
Christ: Lord, thank you for this
calling. You have given light to my soul so that I can be a light for others.
Lord, help me to have confidence in the power of your light: the power of
your truth and grace. Let me be brave enough to allow this light to penetrate
my soul even more today. Let me be brave enough to not hide from your light;
let me be brave enough to give it to others.
Resolution: I will enlighten my conscience better about a
point of our faith or morals by looking it up in the Catechism of the
Catholic Church (It can be found on-line at http://www.vatican.va if needed).
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, MARK 4:21-25
(Hebrews 10:19-25; Psalm 24)
KEY VERSE: "Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear" (v 23).
TO KNOW: Jesus regularly taught by means of parables but many people were unresponsive to his message. He cited the prophet Isaiah (Is 6: 9) to show that the reason why they did not get the point of his teachings was that their eyes, ears and hearts were closed to his revelation. Jesus admonished his disciples to listen carefully. God had blessed them abundantly through his teaching; therefore, much would be expected of them. Since they had been given the light of faith, they had the obligation to share their belief with others. Their faith must not be hidden, but must shine brightly like a lamp that illuminated the whole household. Anyone who rejected the light of truth would continue to live in darkness.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, I pray that your light will shine through me in all that I do.
TO SERVE: How have I been a source of light to others today?
(Hebrews 10:19-25; Psalm 24)
KEY VERSE: "Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear" (v 23).
TO KNOW: Jesus regularly taught by means of parables but many people were unresponsive to his message. He cited the prophet Isaiah (Is 6: 9) to show that the reason why they did not get the point of his teachings was that their eyes, ears and hearts were closed to his revelation. Jesus admonished his disciples to listen carefully. God had blessed them abundantly through his teaching; therefore, much would be expected of them. Since they had been given the light of faith, they had the obligation to share their belief with others. Their faith must not be hidden, but must shine brightly like a lamp that illuminated the whole household. Anyone who rejected the light of truth would continue to live in darkness.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, I pray that your light will shine through me in all that I do.
TO SERVE: How have I been a source of light to others today?
Thursday 29 January 2015
Hebrews 10:19-25. Lord,
this is the people that longs to see your face—Ps 23(24):1-6 Mark 4:21-25.
‘In the measure you give,
you shall receive.’
The psalmist assures us
that we cannot claim to be truly seeking intimacy with God if our heart is set
on ‘worthless things’. Preoccupied with the demands of daily life, we can
unthinkingly push God, from whom all blessings come, to the margins of our
existence.
We would then have good
reason to confess to God with Augustine: ‘Unceasingly, I hesitated and turned away
from you, the one and only; I lost myself in multiplicity … You were with me,
but I was not with you.’ Happily, Augustine came to his senses, acknowledging
that his deepest yearnings could only be filled when his restless heart came to
rest in God.
Lord, with clean hands and
pure heart, may I seek you all the days of my life.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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Who’s In Control?
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Is God in control of your life, or are you? Does He have your
permission to take you where He wants to, or are you the control freak who
wants Him in the car but won’t let Him steer?
January
29
Servant of God Brother Juniper
(d. 1258)
Servant of God Brother Juniper
(d. 1258)
"Would to God, my brothers, I had a whole forest of such
Junipers," said Francis of this holy friar.
We don’t
know much about Juniper before he joined the friars in 1210. Francis sent him
to establish "places" for the friars in Gualdo Tadino and Viterbo.
When St. Clare was dying, Juniper consoled her. He was devoted to the passion
of Jesus and was known for his simplicity.
Several
stories about Juniper in the Little Flowers of St. Francis illustrate
his exasperating generosity. Once Juniper was taking care of a sick man who had
a craving to eat pig’s feet. This helpful friar went to a nearby field,
captured a pig and cut off one foot, and then served this meal to the sick man.
The owner of the pig was furious and immediately went to Juniper’s superior.
When Juniper saw his mistake, he apologized profusely. He also ended up talking
this angry man into donating the rest of the pig to the friars!
Another
time Juniper had been commanded to quit giving part of his clothing to the
half-naked people he met on the road. Desiring to obey his superior, Juniper
once told a man in need that he couldn’t give the man his tunic, but he
wouldn’t prevent the man from taking it either. In time, the friars learned not
to leave anything lying around, for Juniper would probably give it away.
He died
in 1258 and is buried at Ara Coeli Church in Rome.
Comment:
What can we make of Juniper? He certainly seems to be the first of many Franciscan "characters." No doubt some of the stories about him have improved considerably in the retelling. Although the stories about Juniper may seem a little quaint, his virtues were not. He was humble because he knew the truth about God, himself and others. He was patient because he was willing to suffer ("patience" comes from patior meaning "to suffer") in his following of Jesus.
What can we make of Juniper? He certainly seems to be the first of many Franciscan "characters." No doubt some of the stories about him have improved considerably in the retelling. Although the stories about Juniper may seem a little quaint, his virtues were not. He was humble because he knew the truth about God, himself and others. He was patient because he was willing to suffer ("patience" comes from patior meaning "to suffer") in his following of Jesus.
Quote:
It is said that St. Francis once described the perfect friar by citing "the patience of Brother Juniper, who attained the state of perfect patience because he kept the truth of his low estate constantly in mind, whose supreme desire was to follow Christ on the way of the cross" (Mirror of Perfection, #85).
It is said that St. Francis once described the perfect friar by citing "the patience of Brother Juniper, who attained the state of perfect patience because he kept the truth of his low estate constantly in mind, whose supreme desire was to follow Christ on the way of the cross" (Mirror of Perfection, #85).
LECTIO DIVINA:
MARK 4,21-25
Lectio:
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
All-powerful and ever-living God,
direct your love that is within us,
that our efforts in the name of your Son
may bring mankind to unity and peace.
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.
All-powerful and ever-living God,
direct your love that is within us,
that our efforts in the name of your Son
may bring mankind to unity and peace.
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 - Mark 4,21-25
He also said to them, 'Is a lamp brought in to be put under a tub or under the bed? Surely to be put on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden, but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!'
He also said to them, 'Take notice of what you are hearing. The standard you use will be used for you -- and you will receive more besides; anyone who has, will be given more; anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he has.'
He also said to them, 'Is a lamp brought in to be put under a tub or under the bed? Surely to be put on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden, but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!'
He also said to them, 'Take notice of what you are hearing. The standard you use will be used for you -- and you will receive more besides; anyone who has, will be given more; anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he has.'
3) Reflection
• The lamp which gives light. At that time, there was no electric light. Imagine all that follows. The family is at home. It begins to get dark. The father lifts up the small lamp, he lights it and places under the tub or under the bed. What will the others say? They will began to scream: “Father, place it on the table!” This is the story that Jesus tells. He does not explain. He only says: Anyone who has ears to listen, should listen! The Word of God is the lamp which should be lit in the darkness of the night. If it remains closed up in the closed Book of the Bible, it is like a small lamp under the tub. When it is united to the life in community, there it is placed on the table and it gives light!
• Be attentive to preconceptions. Jesus asks the disciples to become aware of the preconceptions with which they listen to the teaching which he offers. We should be attentive to the ideas which we have when we look at Jesus! If the colour of the eyes is green, everything seems to be green. If they are blue, everything will be blue! If the idea with which we look at Jesus were mistaken, everything which I think about Jesus will be threatened of being an error. If I think that the Messiah has to be a glorious King, I will understand nothing of what the Lord teaches and I will see that everything is mistaken.
• Parable: a new way of teaching and of speaking of Jesus. Jesus used parables, above all, to teach: this was his way. He had an enormous capacity to find very simple images to compare the things of God with the things of the life which people knew and experienced in the daily struggle to survive. This presupposes two things: to be inside, involved in the things of life, and to be inside, involved in the things of the Kingdom of God.
• The teaching of Jesus was diverse from the teaching of the Scribes. It was a Good News for the poor, because Jesus revealed a new face of God, in which people could recognize themselves and rejoice. “I bless you, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do!” (Mt 11, 25-28).
• The lamp which gives light. At that time, there was no electric light. Imagine all that follows. The family is at home. It begins to get dark. The father lifts up the small lamp, he lights it and places under the tub or under the bed. What will the others say? They will began to scream: “Father, place it on the table!” This is the story that Jesus tells. He does not explain. He only says: Anyone who has ears to listen, should listen! The Word of God is the lamp which should be lit in the darkness of the night. If it remains closed up in the closed Book of the Bible, it is like a small lamp under the tub. When it is united to the life in community, there it is placed on the table and it gives light!
• Be attentive to preconceptions. Jesus asks the disciples to become aware of the preconceptions with which they listen to the teaching which he offers. We should be attentive to the ideas which we have when we look at Jesus! If the colour of the eyes is green, everything seems to be green. If they are blue, everything will be blue! If the idea with which we look at Jesus were mistaken, everything which I think about Jesus will be threatened of being an error. If I think that the Messiah has to be a glorious King, I will understand nothing of what the Lord teaches and I will see that everything is mistaken.
• Parable: a new way of teaching and of speaking of Jesus. Jesus used parables, above all, to teach: this was his way. He had an enormous capacity to find very simple images to compare the things of God with the things of the life which people knew and experienced in the daily struggle to survive. This presupposes two things: to be inside, involved in the things of life, and to be inside, involved in the things of the Kingdom of God.
• The teaching of Jesus was diverse from the teaching of the Scribes. It was a Good News for the poor, because Jesus revealed a new face of God, in which people could recognize themselves and rejoice. “I bless you, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do!” (Mt 11, 25-28).
4) Personal questions
• The Word of God, a lamp which gives light. What place does the Bible have in my life? What light do I receive?
• Which is the image of Jesus that I have within me? Who is Jesus for me and who am I for Jesus?
• The Word of God, a lamp which gives light. What place does the Bible have in my life? What light do I receive?
• Which is the image of Jesus that I have within me? Who is Jesus for me and who am I for Jesus?
5) Concluding prayer
Taste and see that Yahweh is good.
How blessed are those who take refuge in him. (Ps 34,8)
Taste and see that Yahweh is good.
How blessed are those who take refuge in him. (Ps 34,8)
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