Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 335
Lectionary: 335
The man had
relations with his wife Eve,
and she conceived and bore Cain, saying,
“I have produced a man with the help of the LORD.”
Next she bore his brother Abel.
Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil.
In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD
from the fruit of the soil,
while Abel, for his part,
brought one of the best firstlings of his flock.
The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
but on Cain and his offering he did not.
Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen.
So the LORD said to Cain:
“Why are you so resentful and crestfallen.
If you do well, you can hold up your head;
but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door:
his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.”
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.”
When they were in the field,
Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Then the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
He answered, “I do not know.
Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The LORD then said: “What have you done!
Listen: your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil!
Therefore you shall be banned from the soil
that opened its mouth to receive
your brother’s blood from your hand.
If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce.
You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.”
Cain said to the LORD: “My punishment is too great to bear.
Since you have now banished me from the soil,
and I must avoid your presence
and become a restless wanderer on the earth,
anyone may kill me at sight.”
“Not so!” the LORD said to him.
“If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.”
So the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight.
Adam again had relations with his wife,
and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth.
“God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel,” she said,
“because Cain slew him.”
and she conceived and bore Cain, saying,
“I have produced a man with the help of the LORD.”
Next she bore his brother Abel.
Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil.
In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD
from the fruit of the soil,
while Abel, for his part,
brought one of the best firstlings of his flock.
The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
but on Cain and his offering he did not.
Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen.
So the LORD said to Cain:
“Why are you so resentful and crestfallen.
If you do well, you can hold up your head;
but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door:
his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.”
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.”
When they were in the field,
Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Then the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
He answered, “I do not know.
Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The LORD then said: “What have you done!
Listen: your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil!
Therefore you shall be banned from the soil
that opened its mouth to receive
your brother’s blood from your hand.
If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce.
You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.”
Cain said to the LORD: “My punishment is too great to bear.
Since you have now banished me from the soil,
and I must avoid your presence
and become a restless wanderer on the earth,
anyone may kill me at sight.”
“Not so!” the LORD said to him.
“If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.”
So the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight.
Adam again had relations with his wife,
and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth.
“God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel,” she said,
“because Cain slew him.”
Responsorial PsalmPS 50:1 AND 8, 16BC-17, 20-21
R. (14a) Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.”
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
“You sit speaking against your brother;
against your mother’s son you spread rumors.
When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.”
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.”
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
“You sit speaking against your brother;
against your mother’s son you spread rumors.
When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.”
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
AlleluiaJN 14:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 8:11-13
The Pharisees came
forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.
Meditation: "No
sign shall be given to this generation"
Are you good at
reading signs? Signs tell us what is coming ahead. The people of Jesus' time
expected that the coming of the Messiah would be accompanied by extraordinary
signs and wonders. The religious leaders tested Jesus to see if he had a
genuine sign from heaven to back his Messianic claims. False messiahs in the
past had made extraordinary claims to attract their followers, such as claiming
that they could cleave the Jordan River in two or cause the walls of Jerusalem
to fall. Jesus knew the hearts of those who came to test him. They were more
interested in seeing signs and supernatural phenomena than they were in hearing
the word of God. Simeon had prophesied at Jesus' birth that he was "destined
for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be
opposed so that inner thoughts of many will be revealed" (Luke
2:34-35). Jesus gave them no sign except himself and the ultimate proof of his
divinity when he rose from the dead.
The Lord reveals
himself and makes his presence known to us in many ways - in his word and in
the "breaking of the bread" in the Eucharist, in his church - the
body of Christ, in his creation, and even in the everyday circumstances of our
lives. If we seek the Lord, we will surely find him. And we can be confident
that he will give us whatever we need to understand and carry out his will.
Most of all the Lord assures us of his daily presence and the promise that he will
never leave us. Theresa of Avila's prayer book contained a bookmark which she
wrote: Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you; All things
pass: God never changes. Patience achieves all it strives for. Whoever
has God lacks nothing, God alone suffices. Is God enough for you?
"Lord Jesus, may
I always recognize your saving presence in my life and never forget your
promises when I encounter trials and difficulties. Give me a faith that never
wavers, a hope that never fades, and a love that never grows cold."
 Loving Christ for Who He Is |
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February 16,
2015. Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
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Mark 8:11-13
The Pharisees came
and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him.
And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why does this generation
ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this
generation." And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went
across to the other side.
Introductory
Prayer: Lord, I can be so cold to
your salvific presence as I hurry about living the moment and becoming so
sufficient unto myself. There is little wonder that I find it hard to bring
myself to prayer—to use faith to know you, divine love to live in you, and
theological hope to trust in you. I approach you now, wanting only to be a
more faithful disciple of your Kingdom.
Petition: Lord, grant a faith that will console your heart.
1. Sending
Christ Away: G. K. Chesterton
once asserted, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it
has been found difficult and left untried.” Jesus truly loves us and would
never refuse a humble soul the true goods he needs for fulfillment and
salvation. If our wants, like those of the Pharisees, end up leaving God
silent and our spiritual life cold, it may be a call for us to purify our
hearts of the remaining dregs of our self-centeredness. We should carefully
avoid the attitudes and words that repel Christ. Christ will not let himself
be loved for who he is not, and he will not indulge the desires we have for
who we are not. We can want our happiness to be many things, but Christ wants
us to accept that his will is the heart of our fulfillment.
2. Prayer Is
My Daily Breath of Air for the Soul: Jesus converses with our souls in a language that flows
from supernatural attitudes of faith, hope and love. He will remain silent,
however, if we drag him down to the small, narrow framework of our reason and
calculations—wanting to “figure it out for ourselves” before we will act.
Jesus does not want to be Superman, who comes into our lives only when things
are really bad and all is lost. Rather, Christ intervenes because he wants a
life of communion and grace day after day, sharing his life with each and
every soul. He wants our living in fidelity and childlike trust to be like
breathing the air.
3. The Signs
That Bring Christ to Us: Christ
did give us sure signs of his daily presence in our lives. The first is the
sign of the cross. Only faith will unlock its mystery and bring us to the
encounter between our sin and God’s mercy. Sin is at the heart of the worst
that can go wrong with our life; the sign of the Crucified One is its cure.
Faith will permit us, as it did the good thief, to see Christ’s love at the
center of the universe and the world being drawn towards it as if into a
vortex. Another sign he left us is the Eucharist. It is the most powerful
sign because it contains the author of the sign himself. Christ humbles
himself to stay with us at all costs. Under the appearance of bread and wine,
he reveals what he wants to be for our souls; Under the veil of the
sacrament, we learn to encounter Christ personally as pure love. “On the
night he was betrayed he showed the depth of his love…” Let these signs be
the “love language” by which we talk to Christ in the way he wants to be
known, loved and adored.
Conversation with
Christ: Christ, let my prideful
demands melt away before a mature encounter with your divine love. Keep my
immaturity from impeding the expansion of your Kingdom; rather, let me humbly
accept my need to change the way I relate to your true plan for my life.
Resolution: I will spend some time today acknowledging and
thanking Jesus for the signs he has given me to know, love and serve him
better in my life.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, MARK 8:11-13
(Genesis 4:1-15, 25; Psalm 50)
(Genesis 4:1-15, 25; Psalm 50)
KEY VERSE: "Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation" (v 12).
TO KNOW: After miraculously feeding 4,000 people in the Gentile territory, Jesus went to Dalmanutha (Mk 8:10, place unknown). Some Pharisees demanded Jesus to display some mighty work of God as a sign that God's reign had arrived. But they refused to accept the miracles that Jesus had accomplished, missing the significance of these works as a manifestation of God's presence. Similarly, God told Moses in the wilderness that the people refused to believe or heed God's voice "despite all the signs" that were performed in their midst (Nm 14:11, 22). Jesus left this faithless place, telling the hypocritical leaders that because of their blind lack of faith, no such sign would be given.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, open my eyes to the signs of your presence in my life.
TO SERVE: Am I a sign of God's presence to others?
PRESIDENTS' DAY, USA
George Washington's Birthday, Feb. 22, was implemented by the federal government as the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen. The first formal observance of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday took place in 1865, the year after his assassination. In 1968, legislation shifted Washington's Birthday to the third Monday in February whether or not it fell on the 22nd. While the holiday in February is still officially known as Washington's Birthday it has become known as "Presidents' Day." This has made the third Monday in February a day for honoring both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all the others who have served as president of the United States of America.
Monday 16 February 2015
Genesis 1-15, 25. Offer to
God a sacrifice of praise—Ps 49(50):1-8, 16-17, 20-21. Mark 8:11-13.
‘Truly I tell you no sign
will be given to this generation.’
Dear Lord, what would you
like us to learn when reflecting on today’s readings? You say that no sign will
be given to those to whom you spoke. Is it because they are not on the right
wavelength to interpret God’s signs to them?
Cain was jealous of Abel,
gave way to anger and killed his brother. The psalmist has God tell the wicked
that they have no right to recite his statutes because they put his words
behind them.
What is it all about? We
pray as we reflect, Lord, and remember that elsewhere you said that you are the
way, the truth and the life. So, if we listen to you, we will make sense of it
all.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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Joy is Contagious
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Be joyful, and you will spread joy. Be joyful about your faith,
and your Catholic faith will catch fire in the lives of those you evangelize.
February
16
St. Gilbert of Sempringham
(c. 1083-1189)
St. Gilbert of Sempringham
(c. 1083-1189)
Gilbert was born in Sempringham, England, into a wealthy family,
but he followed a path quite different from that expected of him as the son of
a Norman knight. Sent to France for his higher education, he decided to pursue
seminary studies.
He
returned to England not yet ordained a priest, and inherited several estates
from his father. But Gilbert avoided the easy life he could have led under the
circumstances. Instead he lived a simple life at a parish, sharing as much as
possible with the poor. Following his ordination to the priesthood he served as
parish priest at Sempringham.
Among the
congregation were seven young women who had expressed to him their desire to
live in religious life. In response, Gilbert had a house built for them
adjacent to the Church. There they lived an austere life, but one which
attracted ever more numbers; eventually lay sisters and lay brothers were added
to work the land. The religious order formed eventually became known as the
Gilbertines, though Gilbert had hoped the Cistercians or some other existing
order would take on the responsibility of establishing a rule of life for the
new order. The Gilbertines, the only religious order of English origin founded
during the Middle Ages, continued to thrive. But the order came to an end when
King Henry VIII suppressed all Catholic monasteries.
Over the
years a special custom grew up in the houses of the order called "the
plate of the Lord Jesus." The best portions of the dinner were put on a
special plate and shared with the poor, reflecting Gilbert's lifelong concern
for less fortunate people.
Throughout
his life Gilbert lived simply, consumed little food and spent a good portion of
many nights in prayer. Despite the rigors of such a life he died at well over
age 100.
Comment:
When he came into his father’s wealth, Gilbert could have lived a life of luxury, as many of his fellow priests did at the time. Instead, he chose to share his wealth with the poor. The charming habit of filling “the plate of the Lord Jesus” in the monasteries he established reflected his concern. Today’s Operation Rice Bowl echoes that habit: eating a simpler meal and letting the difference in the grocery bill help feed the hungry.
When he came into his father’s wealth, Gilbert could have lived a life of luxury, as many of his fellow priests did at the time. Instead, he chose to share his wealth with the poor. The charming habit of filling “the plate of the Lord Jesus” in the monasteries he established reflected his concern. Today’s Operation Rice Bowl echoes that habit: eating a simpler meal and letting the difference in the grocery bill help feed the hungry.
LECTIO DIVINA:
MARK 8,11-13
Lectio:
Monday, February 16, 2015
1) Opening prayer
Lord God,
forgive us that in our weak faith
we ask sometimes for signs and wonders.
We know that you are our Father,
but it is not always easy for us
to recognize your loving presence.
Give us eyes of faith to see the sign
that you are with us in Jesus and his message.
We say so reluctantly, for it is painful:
purify our trust in you and in Jesus
that we may become more mature Christians,
who love you through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 8,11-13
The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with him; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to put him to the test. And with a profound sigh he said, 'Why does this generation demand a sign? In truth I tell you, no sign shall be given to this generation.' And, leaving them again, he re-embarked and went away to the other side.
3) Reflection
• Mark 8, 11-13: The Pharisees ask for a sign from Heaven. Today’s Gospel narrates a discussion of the Pharisees with Jesus. Jesus also, as it happened with Moses in the Old Testament, had fed the hungry people in the desert, by multiplying the bread (Mk 8, 1-10). This is a sign that he presented himself before the people as a new Moses. But the Pharisees were not capable to perceive the meaning of the multiplication of the loaves. They continued to discuss with Jesus, and ask for a sign, “from Heaven”. They had understood nothing of all that Jesus had done. “Jesus sighed profoundly”, probably feeling disgust and sadness before so much blindness. And he concludes saying: “No sign will be given to this generation”. He left them and went toward the other side of the lake. It is not worthwhile to show a beautiful picture to one who does not want to open the eyes. Anyone who closes the eyes cannot see!
• The danger of dominating ideology. He we can clearly perceive how the “yeast of Herod and the Pharisees” (Mk 8, 15), the dominating ideology of the time, made persons lose their capacity to analyze events objectively. This yeast came from far and had taken profound roots in the life of the people. It went so far as to contaminate the mentality of the disciples and manifested itself in many ways. With the formation which Jesus gave them, he tried to uproot this “yeast”.
• The following are some examples of this fraternal help which Jesus gave to his disciples.
a) The mentality of a closed group. On a certain day a person not belonging to the community used the name of Jesus to drive out devils. John saw it and forbade this fact: “We have forbidden this because he was not one of ours” (Mk 9, 38). John thought he had the monopoly on Jesus and wanted to prevent others to use the name of Jesus to do good. John wanted a community closed in itself. It was the yeast of the “Elected People, the separated People!” Jesus responds: “Do not stop him! Anyone who is not against us is for us!” (Mk 9, 39-40).
b) The mentality of a group which considers itself superior to others. Certain times, the Samaritans did not want to offer hospitality to Jesus. The reaction of some of the disciples was immediate: “May fire descend from Heaven and burn them up!” (Lk 9, 54). They thought that because they were with Jesus, everyone had to welcome him, to accept him. They thought they had God on their side to defend him. It was the yeast of the “Chosen People, the Privileged People!” Jesus reproaches them: “Jesus turned and rebuked them” (Lk 9, 55).
c) The competitive mentality of and of prestige. The disciples discussed among themselves about the first place (Mk 9, 33-34). It was the yeast of class and of competitiveness, which characterized the official religion and the society of the Roman Empire. It was already getting into the small community around Jesus. Jesus reacts and orders to have a contrary mentality: “If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last” (Mk 9, 35).
d) The mentality of those who marginalize the little ones. The disciples scolded little children. It was the yeast of the mentality of that time, according to which children did not count and should be disciplined by adults. Jesus rebukes the disciples: “Let the little children come to me!” (Mk 10, 14). The children become the teachers of the adults: “Anyone who does not welcome the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it”. (Lk 18, 17).
• As it happened in the time of Jesus, today also the Neo liberal mentality of the dominating ideology arises once again and appears even in the life of the community and of the family. The prayerful reading of the Gospel, made in community, can help to change in us the vision of things and to deepen in us conversion and the fidelity which Jesus asks from us.
4) For Personal Confrontation
• Before the alternative: to have faith in Jesus or to ask for a sign from heaven, the Pharisees want a sign from heaven. They were not capable to believe in Jesus. The same thing happens to me. What have I chosen?
• The yeast of the Pharisees prevented the disciples to perceive the presence of the Kingdom in Jesus. Have some remains of this yeast of the Pharisees remained in me?
5) Concluding Prayer
Lord, you are generous and act generously,
teach me your will. (Ps 119,68)
Lord God,
forgive us that in our weak faith
we ask sometimes for signs and wonders.
We know that you are our Father,
but it is not always easy for us
to recognize your loving presence.
Give us eyes of faith to see the sign
that you are with us in Jesus and his message.
We say so reluctantly, for it is painful:
purify our trust in you and in Jesus
that we may become more mature Christians,
who love you through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 8,11-13
The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with him; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to put him to the test. And with a profound sigh he said, 'Why does this generation demand a sign? In truth I tell you, no sign shall be given to this generation.' And, leaving them again, he re-embarked and went away to the other side.
3) Reflection
• Mark 8, 11-13: The Pharisees ask for a sign from Heaven. Today’s Gospel narrates a discussion of the Pharisees with Jesus. Jesus also, as it happened with Moses in the Old Testament, had fed the hungry people in the desert, by multiplying the bread (Mk 8, 1-10). This is a sign that he presented himself before the people as a new Moses. But the Pharisees were not capable to perceive the meaning of the multiplication of the loaves. They continued to discuss with Jesus, and ask for a sign, “from Heaven”. They had understood nothing of all that Jesus had done. “Jesus sighed profoundly”, probably feeling disgust and sadness before so much blindness. And he concludes saying: “No sign will be given to this generation”. He left them and went toward the other side of the lake. It is not worthwhile to show a beautiful picture to one who does not want to open the eyes. Anyone who closes the eyes cannot see!
• The danger of dominating ideology. He we can clearly perceive how the “yeast of Herod and the Pharisees” (Mk 8, 15), the dominating ideology of the time, made persons lose their capacity to analyze events objectively. This yeast came from far and had taken profound roots in the life of the people. It went so far as to contaminate the mentality of the disciples and manifested itself in many ways. With the formation which Jesus gave them, he tried to uproot this “yeast”.
• The following are some examples of this fraternal help which Jesus gave to his disciples.
a) The mentality of a closed group. On a certain day a person not belonging to the community used the name of Jesus to drive out devils. John saw it and forbade this fact: “We have forbidden this because he was not one of ours” (Mk 9, 38). John thought he had the monopoly on Jesus and wanted to prevent others to use the name of Jesus to do good. John wanted a community closed in itself. It was the yeast of the “Elected People, the separated People!” Jesus responds: “Do not stop him! Anyone who is not against us is for us!” (Mk 9, 39-40).
b) The mentality of a group which considers itself superior to others. Certain times, the Samaritans did not want to offer hospitality to Jesus. The reaction of some of the disciples was immediate: “May fire descend from Heaven and burn them up!” (Lk 9, 54). They thought that because they were with Jesus, everyone had to welcome him, to accept him. They thought they had God on their side to defend him. It was the yeast of the “Chosen People, the Privileged People!” Jesus reproaches them: “Jesus turned and rebuked them” (Lk 9, 55).
c) The competitive mentality of and of prestige. The disciples discussed among themselves about the first place (Mk 9, 33-34). It was the yeast of class and of competitiveness, which characterized the official religion and the society of the Roman Empire. It was already getting into the small community around Jesus. Jesus reacts and orders to have a contrary mentality: “If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last” (Mk 9, 35).
d) The mentality of those who marginalize the little ones. The disciples scolded little children. It was the yeast of the mentality of that time, according to which children did not count and should be disciplined by adults. Jesus rebukes the disciples: “Let the little children come to me!” (Mk 10, 14). The children become the teachers of the adults: “Anyone who does not welcome the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it”. (Lk 18, 17).
• As it happened in the time of Jesus, today also the Neo liberal mentality of the dominating ideology arises once again and appears even in the life of the community and of the family. The prayerful reading of the Gospel, made in community, can help to change in us the vision of things and to deepen in us conversion and the fidelity which Jesus asks from us.
4) For Personal Confrontation
• Before the alternative: to have faith in Jesus or to ask for a sign from heaven, the Pharisees want a sign from heaven. They were not capable to believe in Jesus. The same thing happens to me. What have I chosen?
• The yeast of the Pharisees prevented the disciples to perceive the presence of the Kingdom in Jesus. Have some remains of this yeast of the Pharisees remained in me?
5) Concluding Prayer
Lord, you are generous and act generously,
teach me your will. (Ps 119,68)
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