Saturday
of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 310
Lectionary: 310
There
was a stalwart man from Benjamin named Kish,
who was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror,
son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite.
He had a son named Saul, who was a handsome young man.
There was no other child of Israel more handsome than Saul;
he stood head and shoulders above the people.
Now the asses of Saul’s father, Kish, had wandered off.
Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you
and go out and hunt for the asses.”
Accordingly they went through the hill country of Ephraim,
and through the land of Shalishah.
Not finding them there,
they continued through the land of Shaalim without success.
They also went through the land of Benjamin,
but they failed to find the animals.
When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD assured him,
“This is the man of whom I told you; he is to govern my people.”
Saul met Samuel in the gateway and said,
“Please tell me where the seer lives.”
Samuel answered Saul: “I am the seer.
Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today.
In the morning, before dismissing you,
I will tell you whatever you wish.”
Then, from a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul’s head;
he also kissed him, saying:
“The LORD anoints you commander over his heritage.
You are to govern the LORD’s people Israel,
and to save them from the grasp of their enemies roundabout.
“This will be the sign for you
that the LORD has anointed you commander over his heritage.”
who was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror,
son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite.
He had a son named Saul, who was a handsome young man.
There was no other child of Israel more handsome than Saul;
he stood head and shoulders above the people.
Now the asses of Saul’s father, Kish, had wandered off.
Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you
and go out and hunt for the asses.”
Accordingly they went through the hill country of Ephraim,
and through the land of Shalishah.
Not finding them there,
they continued through the land of Shaalim without success.
They also went through the land of Benjamin,
but they failed to find the animals.
When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD assured him,
“This is the man of whom I told you; he is to govern my people.”
Saul met Samuel in the gateway and said,
“Please tell me where the seer lives.”
Samuel answered Saul: “I am the seer.
Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today.
In the morning, before dismissing you,
I will tell you whatever you wish.”
Then, from a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul’s head;
he also kissed him, saying:
“The LORD anoints you commander over his heritage.
You are to govern the LORD’s people Israel,
and to save them from the grasp of their enemies roundabout.
“This will be the sign for you
that the LORD has anointed you commander over his heritage.”
Responsorial
PsalmPS 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R.
(2a) Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!
You have granted him his heart’s desire;
you refused not the wish of his lips.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked life of you: you gave him
length of days forever and ever.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Great is his glory in your victory;
majesty and splendor you conferred upon him.
For you made him a blessing forever;
you gladdened him with the joy of your face.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!
You have granted him his heart’s desire;
you refused not the wish of his lips.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked life of you: you gave him
length of days forever and ever.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Great is his glory in your victory;
majesty and splendor you conferred upon him.
For you made him a blessing forever;
you gladdened him with the joy of your face.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
AlleluiaLK 4:18
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 2:13-17
Jesus
went out along the sea.
All the crowd came to him and he taught them.
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,
sitting at the customs post.
Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed Jesus.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;
for there were many who followed him.
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners
and tax collectors and said to his disciples,
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus heard this and said to them,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
All the crowd came to him and he taught them.
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,
sitting at the customs post.
Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed Jesus.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;
for there were many who followed him.
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners
and tax collectors and said to his disciples,
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus heard this and said to them,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Meditation: "Many sinners were sitting
with Jesus"
What
draws us to the throne of God's mercy and grace? Mark tells us that many people
were drawn to Jesus, including the unwanted and the unlovable, such as the
lame, the blind, and the lepers, as well as the homeless such as widows and
orphans. But public sinners, like the town prostitutes and corrupt tax
collectors, were also drawn to Jesus. In calling Levi, who was also named
Matthew (see Matthew 9:9) to be one of his disciples, Jesus picked one of the
unlikeliest of men - a tax collector who by profession was despised by the
people.
Why
did the religious leaders find fault with Jesus for making friends with sinners
and tax collectors like Levi? The orthodox Jews had a habit of dividing
everyone into two groups - those who rigidly kept the law of Moses and its
minute regulations and those who did not. They latter were treated like second
class citizens. The orthodox scrupulously avoided their company, refused to do
business with them, refused to give or receive anything from them, refused to
intermarry, and avoided any form of entertainment with them, including table
fellowship. Jesus' association with sinners shocked the sensibilities of these
orthodox Jews.
When
the Pharisees challenged his unorthodox behavior in eating with public sinners,
Jesus' defense was quite simple. A doctor doesn't need to visit healthy people;
instead he goes to those who are sick. Jesus likewise sought out those in
the greatest need. A true physician seeks healing of the whole person - body,
mind, and spirit. Jesus came as the divine physician and good shepherd to care
for his people and to restore them to wholeness of life.The orthodox Jews were
so preoccupied with their own practice of religion that they neglected to help
the very people who needed care. Their religion was selfish because they didn't
want to have anything to do with people not like themselves.
Jesus
stated his mission in unequivocal terms: I came not to call the
righteous, but to call sinners. Ironically the orthodox were as needy
as those they despised. All have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God (Romans 3:23). The Lord fills us with his grace and
mercy. And he wants us, in turn, to seek the good of our neighbors,
including the unlikeable and the trouble-maker by showing them the same
kindness and mercy which we have received. Do you thank the Lord for the great
kindness and mercy he has shown to you?
"Lord
Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them
with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious
blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts
are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are
yours; possess them always and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 4th century)
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: No physician can avoid
the arena of sickness, by Gregory of Nazianzus (330 - 390 AD)
"When Jesus is
attacked for mixing with sinners, and taking as his disciple a despised tax
collector, one might ask: What could he possibly gain by doing so? (Luke 15:2)
Only the salvation of sinners. To blame Jesus for mingling with sinners would
be like blaming a physician for stooping down over suffering and putting up
with vile smells in order to heal the sick." (excerpt from ORATION
45, ON HOLY EASTER 26)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, MARK 2:13-17
Weekday
(1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19, 10:1a; Psalm 21)
Weekday
(1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19, 10:1a; Psalm 21)
KEY VERSE: "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do" (v 17).
TO KNOW: As Jesus walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw a man named Levi sitting at his custom post ("Matthew" in Mt 9:9). Tax-collectors (Publicans) were despised by their fellow Jews because many of them charged exorbitant profits on the collection of duties owed on goods. Furthermore, their work was viewed as collaboration with the Roman government that occupied Israel. Nevertheless, Jesus invited Levi to follow him as a disciple, and he responded immediately. Levi in turn invited Jesus and his disciples to a banquet at his home. Some Pharisaical scribes were outraged at such an association since it was believed that table-fellowship with sinners brought about ritual impurity. Jesus declared that he had not come for the self-righteous who thought they had no sin, but for those who recognized their need for salvation. It was these humble ones that most often responded to Jesus' invitation to change their lives.
TO LOVE: Do I look down on any group in my community?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to answer your call with contrition and repentance.
OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Chapter V of the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, issued by the Holy See in December 2001, describes the Church's traditional dedication of Saturday to the Virgin Mary. "Saturdays stand out among those days dedicated to the Virgin Mary. These are designated as memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (218). The chapter also describes the importance of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in Catholic devotional life, in the Liturgy, and reflections on popular devotions to Mary, her feast days, and the Rosary.
Chapter V of the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, issued by the Holy See in December 2001, describes the Church's traditional dedication of Saturday to the Virgin Mary. "Saturdays stand out among those days dedicated to the Virgin Mary. These are designated as memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (218). The chapter also describes the importance of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in Catholic devotional life, in the Liturgy, and reflections on popular devotions to Mary, her feast days, and the Rosary.
Saturday 16 January, 2016
Sat 16th. 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1. Lord, your
strength gives joy to the king—Ps 20(21):2-7. Mark 2:13-17.
It’s two simple words.
They aren't spoken forcefully, they aren’t used to
manipulate, they aren’t tonally expressed as a must. ‘Follow me’, that’s all
Jesus has to say. There was no condition attached to the invitation he offered
that unsuspecting tax collector. Despite his occupation and his rank in society
and social exclusion he responded. The response was very simple; he got up and
followed him.
Can you remember the time when your faith was no
longer a natural one? Can you remember when you realised that this was a faith
that required supernatural hope? It may not have been in the every-day grind of
our 9-5 lives like that of the tax collector, but surely there was a time when
the words, ‘Follow me’ moved our hearts and minds. We know what the tax
collector did, what did you do?
MINUTE
MEDITATIONS
Living the Gospel
|
We need to remind ourselves of what God’s word tells us so that
when we go into the world, we will recognize the divine challenge in our daily
lives: The Church must be a place of mercy freely given, where everyone can
feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live the good life of the
Gospel.
January
16
St. Berard and Companions
(d. 1220)
St. Berard and Companions
(d. 1220)
Preaching
the gospel is often dangerous work. Leaving one’s homeland and adjusting to new
cultures, governments and languages is difficult enough; but martyrdom caps all
the other sacrifices.
In
1219 with the blessing of St. Francis, Berard left Italy with Peter, Adjute,
Accurs, Odo and Vitalis to preach in Morocco. En route in Spain Vitalis became
sick and commanded the other friars to continue their mission without him.
They
tried preaching in Seville, then in Muslim hands, but made no converts. They
went on to Morocco where they preached in the marketplace. The friars were
immediately apprehended and ordered to leave the country; they refused. When
they began preaching again, an exasperated sultan ordered them executed. After
enduring severe beatings and declining various bribes to renounce their faith
in Jesus Christ, the friars were beheaded by the sultan himself on January 16,
1220.
These
were the first Franciscan martyrs. When Francis heard of their deaths, he
exclaimed, "Now I can truly say that I have five Friars Minor!" Their
relics were brought to Portugal where they prompted a young Augustinian canon
to join the Franciscans and set off for Morocco the next year. That young man
was Anthony of Padua. These five martyrs were canonized in 1481.
Comment:
The deaths of Berard and his companions sparked a missionary vocation in Anthony of Padua and others. There have been many, many Franciscans who have responded to Francis’ challenge. Proclaiming the gospel can be fatal, but that has not stopped the Franciscan men and women who even today risk their lives in many countries throughout the world.
The deaths of Berard and his companions sparked a missionary vocation in Anthony of Padua and others. There have been many, many Franciscans who have responded to Francis’ challenge. Proclaiming the gospel can be fatal, but that has not stopped the Franciscan men and women who even today risk their lives in many countries throughout the world.
Quote:
Before St. Francis, the Rules of religious orders made no mention of preaching to the Muslims. In the Rule of 1223, Francis wrote: "Those brothers who, by divine inspiration, desire to go among the Saracens and other nonbelievers should ask permission from their ministers provincial. But the ministers should not grant permission except to those whom they consider fit to be sent" (Chapter 12).
Before St. Francis, the Rules of religious orders made no mention of preaching to the Muslims. In the Rule of 1223, Francis wrote: "Those brothers who, by divine inspiration, desire to go among the Saracens and other nonbelievers should ask permission from their ministers provincial. But the ministers should not grant permission except to those whom they consider fit to be sent" (Chapter 12).
LECTIO DIVINA: MARK 2,13-17
Lectio:
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of love, hear our prayers.
Help us to know your will
and to do it with courage and faith.
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.
Father of love, hear our prayers.
Help us to know your will
and to do it with courage and faith.
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 2,13-17
He went out again to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them. As he was walking along he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him.
When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers. When the scribes of the Pharisee party saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?' When Jesus heard this he said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I came to call not the upright, but sinners.'
He went out again to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them. As he was walking along he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him.
When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers. When the scribes of the Pharisee party saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?' When Jesus heard this he said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I came to call not the upright, but sinners.'
3) Reflection
• In yesterday’s Gospel, we have seen the first conflict which arose concerning the forgiveness of sins (Mk 2, 1-12). In today’s Gospel we meditate on the second conflict which arose when Jesus sat at table with the sinners (Mk 2, 13-17). In the years 70’s, the time when Mark wrote, in the communities there was a conflict between Christians who had been converted from Paganism and those from Judaism. Those from Judaism found great difficult to enter into the house of converted Pagans and to sit with them around the same table (cf. Acts 10, 28; 11, 3). In describing how Jesus faces this conflict, Mark orientates the community to solve the problem.
• Jesus taught, and the people were happy to listen to him. Jesus goes out again to go near the sea. People arrive and he begins to teach them. He transmits the Word of God. In Mark’s Gospel, the beginning of the activity of Jesus is characterized by much teaching and much acceptance on the part of the people (Mk 1, 14.21.38-39; 2, 2.13), in spite of the conflicts with religious authority. What did Jesus teach? Jesus proclaimed the Good News of God (Mk 1, 14). He spoke about God, but he spoke in a new way, different. He spoke starting from his experience, of the experience which he himself had of God and of Life. Jesus lived in God. And surely he had touched the heart of the people who liked to listen to him (Mk 1, 22.27). God, instead of being a severe Jew who threatens from far, at a distance, with punishment and hell, becomes once again, a friendly presence, a Good News for the people.
• Jesus calls a sinner to be a disciple and invites him to eat in his house. Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, and he, immediately, leaves everything and follows Jesus. He begins to be part of the group of the disciples. Immediately, the text says literally: While Jesus was at table in his house. Some think that in his house means the house of Levi. But the most probable translation is that it was a question of the house of Jesus. It is Jesus who invites all to eat in his house: sinners and tax collectors, together with the disciples.
• Jesus has come not for the just, but for sinners. This gesture or act of Jesus causes the religious authority to get very angry. It was forbidden to sit at table with tax collectors and sinners, because to sit at table with someone meant that he was considered a brother! Instead of speaking directly with Jesus, the Scribes of the Pharisees speak with the disciples: How is it that he eats and drinks together with tax collectors and sinners? Jesus responds: “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I came to call not the upright, but sinners! As before with the disciples (Mk 1, 38), now also, it is the conscience of his mission which helps Jesus to find the response and to indicate the way for the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus.
• In yesterday’s Gospel, we have seen the first conflict which arose concerning the forgiveness of sins (Mk 2, 1-12). In today’s Gospel we meditate on the second conflict which arose when Jesus sat at table with the sinners (Mk 2, 13-17). In the years 70’s, the time when Mark wrote, in the communities there was a conflict between Christians who had been converted from Paganism and those from Judaism. Those from Judaism found great difficult to enter into the house of converted Pagans and to sit with them around the same table (cf. Acts 10, 28; 11, 3). In describing how Jesus faces this conflict, Mark orientates the community to solve the problem.
• Jesus taught, and the people were happy to listen to him. Jesus goes out again to go near the sea. People arrive and he begins to teach them. He transmits the Word of God. In Mark’s Gospel, the beginning of the activity of Jesus is characterized by much teaching and much acceptance on the part of the people (Mk 1, 14.21.38-39; 2, 2.13), in spite of the conflicts with religious authority. What did Jesus teach? Jesus proclaimed the Good News of God (Mk 1, 14). He spoke about God, but he spoke in a new way, different. He spoke starting from his experience, of the experience which he himself had of God and of Life. Jesus lived in God. And surely he had touched the heart of the people who liked to listen to him (Mk 1, 22.27). God, instead of being a severe Jew who threatens from far, at a distance, with punishment and hell, becomes once again, a friendly presence, a Good News for the people.
• Jesus calls a sinner to be a disciple and invites him to eat in his house. Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, and he, immediately, leaves everything and follows Jesus. He begins to be part of the group of the disciples. Immediately, the text says literally: While Jesus was at table in his house. Some think that in his house means the house of Levi. But the most probable translation is that it was a question of the house of Jesus. It is Jesus who invites all to eat in his house: sinners and tax collectors, together with the disciples.
• Jesus has come not for the just, but for sinners. This gesture or act of Jesus causes the religious authority to get very angry. It was forbidden to sit at table with tax collectors and sinners, because to sit at table with someone meant that he was considered a brother! Instead of speaking directly with Jesus, the Scribes of the Pharisees speak with the disciples: How is it that he eats and drinks together with tax collectors and sinners? Jesus responds: “It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I came to call not the upright, but sinners! As before with the disciples (Mk 1, 38), now also, it is the conscience of his mission which helps Jesus to find the response and to indicate the way for the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus calls a sinner, a tax collector, a person hated by the people, to be his disciple. Which is the message for us in this act of Jesus, of the Catholic Church?
• Jesus says that he has come to call sinners. Are there laws and customs in our Church which prevent sinners to have access to Jesus? What can we do to change these laws and these customs?
• Jesus calls a sinner, a tax collector, a person hated by the people, to be his disciple. Which is the message for us in this act of Jesus, of the Catholic Church?
• Jesus says that he has come to call sinners. Are there laws and customs in our Church which prevent sinners to have access to Jesus? What can we do to change these laws and these customs?
5) Concluding prayer
May the words of my mouth always find favour,
and the whispering of my heart, in your presence,
Yahweh, my rock, my redeemer. (Ps 19,14)
May the words of my mouth always find favour,
and the whispering of my heart, in your presence,
Yahweh, my rock, my redeemer. (Ps 19,14)
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