Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 314
Lectionary: 314
When David and Saul approached
(on David's return after slaying the Philistine),
women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul,
singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums.
The women played and sang:
"Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his ten thousands."
Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought:
"They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me.
All that remains for him is the kingship."
And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David.
Saul discussed his intention of killing David
with his son Jonathan and with all his servants.
But Saul's son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, told him:
"My father Saul is trying to kill you.
Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning;
get out of sight and remain in hiding.
I, however, will go out and stand beside my father
in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you.
If I learn anything, I will let you know."
Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him:
"Let not your majesty sin against his servant David,
for he has committed no offense against you,
but has helped you very much by his deeds.
When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine,
and the LORD brought about a great victory
for all Israel through him,
you were glad to see it.
Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood
by killing David without cause?"
Saul heeded Jonathan's plea and swore,
"As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed."
So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him.
Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.
(on David's return after slaying the Philistine),
women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul,
singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums.
The women played and sang:
"Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his ten thousands."
Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought:
"They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me.
All that remains for him is the kingship."
And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David.
Saul discussed his intention of killing David
with his son Jonathan and with all his servants.
But Saul's son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, told him:
"My father Saul is trying to kill you.
Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning;
get out of sight and remain in hiding.
I, however, will go out and stand beside my father
in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you.
If I learn anything, I will let you know."
Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him:
"Let not your majesty sin against his servant David,
for he has committed no offense against you,
but has helped you very much by his deeds.
When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine,
and the LORD brought about a great victory
for all Israel through him,
you were glad to see it.
Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood
by killing David without cause?"
Saul heeded Jonathan's plea and swore,
"As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed."
So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him.
Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 56:2-3, 9-10A, 10B-11,
12-13
R. (5b) In God
I trust; I shall not fear.
Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me;
all the day they press their attack against me.
My adversaries trample upon me all the day;
yes, many fight against me.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
My wanderings you have counted;
my tears are stored in your flask;
are they not recorded in your book?
Then do my enemies turn back,
when I call upon you.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
I am bound, O God, by vows to you;
your thank offerings I will fulfill.
For you have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me;
all the day they press their attack against me.
My adversaries trample upon me all the day;
yes, many fight against me.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
My wanderings you have counted;
my tears are stored in your flask;
are they not recorded in your book?
Then do my enemies turn back,
when I call upon you.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
I am bound, O God, by vows to you;
your thank offerings I will fulfill.
For you have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
AlleluiaSEE 2 TM 1:10
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MK 3:7-12
Jesus
withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him
and shout, "You are the Son of God."
He warned them sternly not to make him known.
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him
and shout, "You are the Son of God."
He warned them sternly not to make him known.
Meditation: All pressed upon Jesus to touch him
Is there anything holding you back from giving
yourself to God without fear or reservation? Jesus offered freedom to everyone
who sought him out. Wherever Jesus went the people came to him because they had
heard about all the wonderful deeds and miracles which he performed. They were
hungry for God and desired healing from their afflictions. In faith they
pressed upon Jesus to touch him. As they did so power came from Jesus
and they were healed. Do you seek to lay hold of Jesus' presence in your life
that he may touch and heal you?
Draw near to Jesus with expectant faith and he will
answer
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) remarked:
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) remarked:
"It is by faith that we touch Jesus.
And far better to touch him by faith than to touch or handle him with the hands
only and not by faith. It was no great thing to merely touch him manually. Even
his oppressors doubtless touched him when they apprehended him, bound him, and
crucified him, but by their ill-motivated touch they lost precisely what they
were laying hold of. O worldwide church! It is by touching him faithfully that
your 'faith has made you whole' (Isaiah
1:10-18; Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34; Mark 10:52; Luke 8:48; John 20:29)." (excerpt
from SERMONS, ON EASTER 148)
The Lord Jesus has power to heal, restore, and make us
new
Why did Jesus perform so many countless miracles and signs during his earthly ministry? Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD) wrote that these signs and miracles showed that Jesus was truly God - the eternal Word who was made flesh for our salvation:
Why did Jesus perform so many countless miracles and signs during his earthly ministry? Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD) wrote that these signs and miracles showed that Jesus was truly God - the eternal Word who was made flesh for our salvation:
[Jesus] performed very many wonderful
miracles, rebuking demons, delivering from incurable diseases whoever drew near
to him, and displaying his own most divine power. He did these works so that
both the Jews, who had run together to him, and those from the country of the
Greeks might know that Christ was not some ordinary man of those in our degree
but, on the contrary, God. He honored these chosen disciples with the dignity
of the apostolate. He was the Word that was made man but retained nevertheless
his own glory. "For power went forth from him and healed all." Christ
did not borrow strength from some other person, but being himself God by
nature, even though he had become flesh, he healed them all, by the
demonstration of power over the sick. (COMMENTARY
ON LUKE, HOMILY 25)
Why did the demons
tremble in the presence of Jesus (Mark 3:11)? They recognized that his power
and authority came from heaven and not from earth. But while they confessed
Christ and trembled in his presence, they did not respond in love.
Receive God's word with expectant faith, persevering
hope, and fervent love
When you read God's word and consider all that Jesus said and did, how do you respond? With indifference, hesitation, or skepticism, or with expectant faith, love, and willing obedience? Ask the Lord Jesus to draw you to himself with increasing faith, fervent love, and eager readiness to do his will.
When you read God's word and consider all that Jesus said and did, how do you respond? With indifference, hesitation, or skepticism, or with expectant faith, love, and willing obedience? Ask the Lord Jesus to draw you to himself with increasing faith, fervent love, and eager readiness to do his will.
"Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God and
the Savior of the world. Inflame my heart with a burning love for you and with
an expectant faith in your saving power. Set me free from all that hinders me
from drawing closer to you."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Faith works by love, by Augustine of
Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The 'faith that works by love' (Galatians 5:6),
is not the same faith that demons have. 'For the devils also believe and
tremble' (James 2:19) but
do they love? If they had not believed, they would not have said: 'You are the
holy one of God' or 'You are the Son of God' (Mark 3:11-12; Luke 4:34,41). But if they had loved, they would not have said:
'What have we to do with you?' (Matthew
8:29; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28)" (excerpt from Letter 194, To Sixtus)
THURSDAY,
JANUARY 18, MARK 3:7-12
Weekday
(1 Samuel 18:6-9, 19:1-7; Psalm 56)
Weekday
(1 Samuel 18:6-9, 19:1-7; Psalm 56)
KEY VERSE: "He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him" (v 10).
TO KNOW: After Jesus’ confrontation with the religious leaders in the synagogue, he withdrew to the area around the Sea of Galilee. There he would concentrate on the formation of his disciples. As Jesus taught and healed people, he attracted large crowds from many regions: Jerusalem in the south, Tyre and Sidon in the north, Idumea to the east, and even beyond the Jordan River to the west. Jesus was creating a new people of God made up of all peoples. When he encountered some individuals possessed by "unclean spirits" (v 11), they identified him as the "Son of God" (v 11). Ancient people believed that they could gain mastery over a spirit by naming it, and the demons made the effort to ward off God's power. Jesus silenced the demonic attempt to thwart God's plan. By naming the enemy, Jesus had power over them.
TO LOVE: Have I experienced the power of Jesus’ Name in my life?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to pray in your Holy Name.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN
UNITY -- JANUARY 18-25
A world observance since 1894, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an important expression of ecumenical activity at the local level. It strengthens the cause of ecumenism by gathering ordinary Christians of different churches for common action. The week is marked worldwide with prayer services, Bible studies and other activities, which bring the Christian community together. The week is celebrated each January, usually between the 18th and 25th. Rev. Paul Watson, founder of the Franciscan Society of the Atonement at Graymoor in Garrison, NY, proposed these dates in 1908, to cover the days between the feasts of St. Peter and of St. Paul. Each year, a scripture verse is selected to set the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for 2018 is: "Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power," (Exodus 15:6).
A world observance since 1894, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an important expression of ecumenical activity at the local level. It strengthens the cause of ecumenism by gathering ordinary Christians of different churches for common action. The week is marked worldwide with prayer services, Bible studies and other activities, which bring the Christian community together. The week is celebrated each January, usually between the 18th and 25th. Rev. Paul Watson, founder of the Franciscan Society of the Atonement at Graymoor in Garrison, NY, proposed these dates in 1908, to cover the days between the feasts of St. Peter and of St. Paul. Each year, a scripture verse is selected to set the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for 2018 is: "Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power," (Exodus 15:6).
Thursday 18
January 2018
St Deicolus.
1 Samuel
18:6-9; 19:1-7. Psalm 55(56):2-3, 9-14. Mark 3:7-12.
In God I
trust; I shall not fear—Psalm 55(56):2-3, 9-14.
Who is
Jesus?
Jesus is the healer who cures us
of whatever is afflicting us. We come to him in prayer to be touched by him. He
is the Son of God who casts out from us the unclean spirits of our angers, our
bitterness, our failures to forgive those who have hurt us. He is our priest
who, though sinless, offers the sacrifice of his own life to free us from our
sins. He is the tent, the meeting place with God; in him we are able to call
God our Father.
Like Moses, we are called to
follow a pattern, the one taught us by Jesus. In our prayer, we place ourselves
before him, confident that ‘his power to save is utterly certain’, and knowing
that he is praying and interceding for us with his Father.
Saint Charles of Sezze
Saint of the Day for January 18
(October 19, 1613 – January 6, 1670)
Saint Charles of Sezze’s Story
Charles thought that God was calling him to be a missionary in
India, but he never got there. God had something better for this 17th-century
successor to Brother Juniper.
Born in Sezze, southeast of Rome, Charles was inspired by the
lives of Salvator Horta and Paschal Baylon to become a Franciscan; he did that
in 1635. Charles tells us in his autobiography, “Our Lord put in my heart a
determination to become a lay brother with a great desire to be poor and to beg
alms for his love.”
Charles served as cook, porter, sacristan, gardener and beggar
at various friaries in Italy. In some ways, he was “an accident waiting to
happen.” He once started a huge fire in the kitchen when the oil in which he
was frying onions burst into flames.
One story shows how thoroughly Charles adopted the spirit of
Saint Francis. The superior ordered Charles—then porter—to give food only
to traveling friars who came to the door. Charles obeyed this direction;
simultaneously the alms to the friars decreased. Charles convinced the superior
the two facts were related. When the friars resumed giving goods to all who
asked at the door, alms to the friars increased also.
At the direction of his confessor, Charles wrote his
autobiography, The Grandeurs of the Mercies of God. He also wrote
several other spiritual books. He made good use of his various spiritual
directors throughout the years; they helped him discern which of Charles’ ideas
or ambitions were from God. Charles himself was sought out for spiritual
advice. The dying Pope Clement IX called Charles to his bedside for a blessing.
Charles had a firm sense of God’s providence. Father Severino
Gori has said, “By word and example he recalled in all the need of pursuing
only that which is eternal” (Leonard Perotti, St. Charles of Sezze: An
Autobiography, page 215).
He died at San Francesco a Ripa in Rome and was buried there.
Pope John XXIII canonized him in 1959.
Reflection
The drama in the lives of the saints is mostly interior.
Charles’ life was spectacular only in his cooperation with God’s grace. He was
captivated by God’s majesty and great mercy to all of us.
LECTIO DIVINA: MARK 3,7-12
Lectio Divina:
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of heaven and earth,
hear our prayers,
and show us the way to Your peace in the world.
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.
hear our prayers,
and show us the way to Your peace in the world.
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 3:7-12
Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his
disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from
Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of
Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of
the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a
result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And
whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout,
"You are the Son of God." He warned them sternly not to make him
known.
3) Reflection
• The conclusion reached at the end of
this fifth conflict (Mk 3: 2 to 6) is that the Good News as it was announced by
Jesus said exactly the opposite of the teaching of the religious authority of
the time. This is why, at the end of the last conflict, it is foreseen that Jesus
will not have an easy life and will be put to death. Death is already appearing
on the horizon. They decide to make Him die (Mk 3:6). Without sincere
conversion it is not possible for people to reach a correct understanding of
the Good News.
• A summary of the evangelizing action of Jesus. The verses of today’s Gospel (Mk 3:7-12) are a summary of the activity of Jesus and they highlight an enormous contrast. Earlier, in Mk 2:1 to 3:6, only conflicts were spoken of, including the conflict of life and death between Jesus and the civil and religious authority of Galilee (Mk 3:1-6). Now, in the summary, we have the contrary: an immense popular movement, greater than the movement of John the Baptist, because people come not only from Galilee, but also from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, from Transjordan, and even from the pagan region of Tyre and Sidon to encounter Jesus! (Mk 3:7-12). All want to see Him and to touch Him. The people are so numerous that Jesus Himself is concerned. There is a danger of being crushed by the multitude. This is why He asks the disciples to have a boat ready for Him so that the crowd would not crush Him. And from the boat He spoke to the crowds. Especially the excluded and the marginalized who came to Him with their ailments: the sick and those possessed. Those who were not accepted in the society of the time were accepted by Jesus. Here is the contrast: on the one side the religious and civil leaders decided to put Jesus to death (Mk 3:6), and on the other side there was an immense popular movement seeking salvation in Jesus. Who will win?
• The unclean spirits and Jesus. Mark insists very much on the expulsion of the unclean spirits. The first miracle of Jesus is the expulsion of the unclean spirits (Mk 1:25). The first impact caused by Jesus is due to the expulsion of the devil (Mk 1:27). One of the principal causes of Jesus’ clash with the s is the expulsion of the unclean spirits. (Mk 3:22). The first power which the Apostles received when they were sent out on mission was the power to expel demons (Mk 16:17). What does it mean in Mark’s Gospel to drive out or expel evil spirits?
• At the time of Mark the fear of the devil was increasing. Some religions, instead of liberating the people, increased fear and anguish. One of the objectives of the Good News of Jesus is to help people liberate themselves from this fear. The coming of the Kingdom means the coming of a stronger power. Jesus is “the Stronger Man” Who has come to conquer and overcome Satan, the power of evil, and to take way from Satan those imprisoned by fear (Mk 3:27). This is why Mark insists very much on the victory of Jesus over the power of evil, over the devil, over Satan, sin and death. From the beginning to the end, with similar words, Mark repeats the same message: “And Jesus drove out, expelled the impure spirits!” (Mk 1: 26.27,34,39; 3:11-12,15,22,30; 5:1-20; 6:7.13; 7:25-29; 9:25-27,38; 16:9,17). It seems almost a refrain which is repeated! Today, instead of always using the same words, we prefer to use diverse words. We would say, “The power of evil, Satan, which causes so much fear to people - Jesus overcame him, dominated him, conquered him, threw him off the throne, drove him out or expelled him, eliminated him, annihilated him, knocked him down, destroyed him and killed him!” What Mark wants to tell us is this: “Christians are forbidden to be afraid of Satan!” After Jesus rose from the dead, it is madness and a lack of faith to invoke Satan at every moment, as if he still had any power over us. To insist on the power of the devil in order to persuade people to return to Church means to ignore the Good News of the Kingdom. It is a lack of faith in the Resurrection of Jesus!
• A summary of the evangelizing action of Jesus. The verses of today’s Gospel (Mk 3:7-12) are a summary of the activity of Jesus and they highlight an enormous contrast. Earlier, in Mk 2:1 to 3:6, only conflicts were spoken of, including the conflict of life and death between Jesus and the civil and religious authority of Galilee (Mk 3:1-6). Now, in the summary, we have the contrary: an immense popular movement, greater than the movement of John the Baptist, because people come not only from Galilee, but also from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, from Transjordan, and even from the pagan region of Tyre and Sidon to encounter Jesus! (Mk 3:7-12). All want to see Him and to touch Him. The people are so numerous that Jesus Himself is concerned. There is a danger of being crushed by the multitude. This is why He asks the disciples to have a boat ready for Him so that the crowd would not crush Him. And from the boat He spoke to the crowds. Especially the excluded and the marginalized who came to Him with their ailments: the sick and those possessed. Those who were not accepted in the society of the time were accepted by Jesus. Here is the contrast: on the one side the religious and civil leaders decided to put Jesus to death (Mk 3:6), and on the other side there was an immense popular movement seeking salvation in Jesus. Who will win?
• The unclean spirits and Jesus. Mark insists very much on the expulsion of the unclean spirits. The first miracle of Jesus is the expulsion of the unclean spirits (Mk 1:25). The first impact caused by Jesus is due to the expulsion of the devil (Mk 1:27). One of the principal causes of Jesus’ clash with the s is the expulsion of the unclean spirits. (Mk 3:22). The first power which the Apostles received when they were sent out on mission was the power to expel demons (Mk 16:17). What does it mean in Mark’s Gospel to drive out or expel evil spirits?
• At the time of Mark the fear of the devil was increasing. Some religions, instead of liberating the people, increased fear and anguish. One of the objectives of the Good News of Jesus is to help people liberate themselves from this fear. The coming of the Kingdom means the coming of a stronger power. Jesus is “the Stronger Man” Who has come to conquer and overcome Satan, the power of evil, and to take way from Satan those imprisoned by fear (Mk 3:27). This is why Mark insists very much on the victory of Jesus over the power of evil, over the devil, over Satan, sin and death. From the beginning to the end, with similar words, Mark repeats the same message: “And Jesus drove out, expelled the impure spirits!” (Mk 1: 26.27,34,39; 3:11-12,15,22,30; 5:1-20; 6:7.13; 7:25-29; 9:25-27,38; 16:9,17). It seems almost a refrain which is repeated! Today, instead of always using the same words, we prefer to use diverse words. We would say, “The power of evil, Satan, which causes so much fear to people - Jesus overcame him, dominated him, conquered him, threw him off the throne, drove him out or expelled him, eliminated him, annihilated him, knocked him down, destroyed him and killed him!” What Mark wants to tell us is this: “Christians are forbidden to be afraid of Satan!” After Jesus rose from the dead, it is madness and a lack of faith to invoke Satan at every moment, as if he still had any power over us. To insist on the power of the devil in order to persuade people to return to Church means to ignore the Good News of the Kingdom. It is a lack of faith in the Resurrection of Jesus!
4) Personal questions
• How do you live your faith in the
Resurrection of Jesus? Does your faith in some way help you to overcome fear?
• To drive away or expel the devil! What do you do in order to neutralize this power in your life?
• To drive away or expel the devil! What do you do in order to neutralize this power in your life?
5) Concluding prayer
Joy and happiness in You to all who seek
You!
Let them ceaselessly cry,”'Great is Yahweh”
who love Your saving power. (Ps 40)
Let them ceaselessly cry,”'Great is Yahweh”
who love Your saving power. (Ps 40)
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