Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 321
Lectionary: 321
Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened,
you endured a great contest of suffering.
At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction;
at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.
You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison
and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property,
knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence;
it will have great recompense.
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.
For, after just a brief moment,
he who is to come shall come;
he shall not delay.
But my just one shall live by faith,
and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him.
We are not among those who draw back and perish,
but among those who have faith and will possess life.
you endured a great contest of suffering.
At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction;
at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.
You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison
and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property,
knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence;
it will have great recompense.
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.
For, after just a brief moment,
he who is to come shall come;
he shall not delay.
But my just one shall live by faith,
and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him.
We are not among those who draw back and perish,
but among those who have faith and will possess life.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24,
39-40
R. (39a) The
salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart's requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
AlleluiaSEE MT 11:25
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds:
"This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come."
He said,
"To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade."
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
"This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come."
He said,
"To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade."
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
Meditation:
What the kingdom of God is like
What
can mustard seeds teach us about the kingdom of God? The tiny mustard seed
literally grew to be a tree which attracted numerous birds because they loved
the little black mustard seed it produced. God's kingdom works in a similar
fashion. It starts from the smallest beginnings in the hearts of men and women
who are receptive to God's word. And it works unseen and causes a
transformation from within. Just as a seed has no power to change itself until
it is planted in the ground, so we cannot change our lives to be like God until
God gives us the power of his Holy Spirit.
The
transforming power of the Word of God
The Lord of the Universe is ever ready to transform us by the power of his Spirit. Are you ready to let God change you by his life-giving Word and Spirit? The kingdom of God produces a transformation in those who receive the new life which Jesus Christ offers. When we yield to the Lord Jesus and allow his word to take root in us, our lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Paul the Apostle says, "we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Do you believe in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit?
The Lord of the Universe is ever ready to transform us by the power of his Spirit. Are you ready to let God change you by his life-giving Word and Spirit? The kingdom of God produces a transformation in those who receive the new life which Jesus Christ offers. When we yield to the Lord Jesus and allow his word to take root in us, our lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Paul the Apostle says, "we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Do you believe in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit?
The
cross of Jesus is the Tree of Life
Peter Chrysologous (400-450 AD), an early church father, explained how the " tree of the cross" spread its branches throughout the world and grew into a worldwide community of faith offering its fruit to the whole world:
Peter Chrysologous (400-450 AD), an early church father, explained how the " tree of the cross" spread its branches throughout the world and grew into a worldwide community of faith offering its fruit to the whole world:
It
is up to us to sow this mustard seed in our minds and let it grow within us
into a great tree of understanding reaching up to heaven and elevating all our
faculties; then it will spread out branches of knowledge, the pungent savor of
its fruit will make our mouths burn, its fiery kernel will kindle a blaze
within us inflaming our hearts, and the taste of it will dispel our
unenlightened repugnance. Yes, it is true: a mustard seed is indeed an image of
the kingdom of God. Christ is the kingdom of heaven. Sown like a mustard seed
in the garden of the virgin’s womb, he grew up into the tree of the cross whose
branches stretch across the world. Crushed in the mortar of the passion, its
fruit has produced seasoning enough for the flavoring and preservation of every
living creature with which it comes in contact. As long as a mustard seed
remains intact, its properties lie dormant; but when it is crushed they are
exceedingly evident. So it was with Christ; he chose to have his body crushed,
because he would not have his power concealed….
Christ
became all things in order to restore all of us in himself. The man Christ
received the mustard seed which represents the kingdom of God; as man he
received it, though as God he had always possessed it. He sowed it in his
garden, that is in his bride, the Church. The Church is a garden extending over
the whole world, tilled by the plough of the gospel, fenced in by stakes of
doctrine and discipline, cleared of every harmful weed by the labor of the
apostles, fragrant and lovely with perennial flowers: virgins’ lilies and
martyrs’ roses set amid the pleasant verdure of all who bear witness to Christ
and the tender plants of all who have faith in him. Such then is the mustard
seed which Christ sowed in his garden. When he promised a kingdom to the
patriarchs, the seed took root in them; with the prophets it sprang up; with
the apostles it grew tall; in the Church it became a great tree putting forth
innumerable branches laden with gifts. And now you too must take the wings of
the psalmist’s dove, gleaming gold in the rays of divine sunlight, and fly to
rest for ever among those sturdy, fruitful branches. No snares are set to trap
you there; fly off, then, with confidence and dwell securely in its
shelter. (SERMON 98)
Do
you allow the seed of God's word to take deep root in your life and transform
you into a fruit-bearing disciple of Jesus Christ?
"Lord
Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and transform me into the Christ-like
holiness you desire. Increase my zeal for your kingdom and instill in me a holy
desire to live for your greater glory."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: God gave us what was most precious, by
Isaac of Nineveh (a Syrian monk, teacher, and bishop), 613-700 A.D.
"The
sum of all is God, the Lord of all, who from love of his creatures has
delivered his Son to death on the cross. For God so loved the world that he
gave his only begotten Son for it. Not that he was unable to save us in another
way, but in this way it was possible to show us his abundant love abundantly,
namely, by bringing us near to him by the death of his Son. If he had anything
more dear to him, he would have given it to us, in order that by it our race
might be his. And out of his great love he did not even choose to urge our
freedom by compulsion, though he was able to do so. But his aim was that we
should come near to him by the love of our mind. And our Lord obeyed his Father
out of love for us." (excerpt from ASCETICAL HOMILY 74.28)
www
.daiycsripture.net
February, Black History Month
Carter G. Woodson, (1875-1950) noted Black scholar and historian and son of former slaves, founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, which was later renamed the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). He initiated Black History Week, February 12, 1926. For many years the 2nd week of February (chosen so as to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln) was celebrated by Black people in the United States. In 1976, as part of the nation's Bicentennial, it was expanded and became established as Black History Month, and is now celebrated all over North America.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, MARK 4:26-34
Weekday
(Hebrews 10:32-39; Psalm 37)
Weekday
(Hebrews 10:32-39; Psalm 37)
KEY VERSE: "With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it" (v 33).
TO KNOW: The key point of Jesus' teaching was the coming of God's reign. In his parables, he used examples from everyday life, such as farmers, seeds and grain, to invite his followers to discover the meaning of his message. Jesus explained that the growth and fruitfulness of the kingdom was not solely due to their efforts, but was the work of God. Human inadequacy could not hinder the coming of the reign of God, which would grow imperceptibly until fully established at the final judgment. Jesus compared the irrepressible quality of the kingdom to that of a mustard seed. When the seed was sown, it was very small, but when it matured it attained the height of a tree. In God's kingdom, there would be room for all people, Jew and Gentile, to dwell securely under its lofty branches.
TO LOVE: Do I trust that my work will be fruitful under God's guidance?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to grow and mature in my faith.
Friday 1 February 2019
Hebrews 10:32-39. Psalms 36(37):3-6, 23-24, 39-40. Mark 4:26-34.
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord—Ps 36(37):3-6,
23-24, 39-40.
‘It grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs.’
We may face many adversities in life, but Paul exhorts us to
endure because of our hope for salvation. God is our refuge in time of trouble
and will sustain us in our efforts.
Jesus loved to tell parables, especially about nature, to bring
home his messages. Today he shows us that we have no control after we have
planted the seed until we gather the harvest. The small mustard seed is a
wonderful example of how the power and care of God can bring about a
transformation into a mighty tree which gives shelter to all the birds. So too
our trust and confidence will be rewarded by his promise of eternal life.
Saint Ansgar
Saint of the Day for February 1
(801 – February 3, 865)
Saint Ansgar’s Story
The “apostle of the north” (Scandinavia) had enough frustrations
to become a saint—and he did. He became a Benedictine at Corbie, France, where
he had been educated. Three years later, when the king of Denmark became a
convert, Ansgar went to that country for three years of missionary work,
without noticeable success. Sweden asked for Christian missionaries, and he
went there, suffering capture by pirates and other hardships on the way. Fewer
than two years later, he was recalled, to become abbot of New Corbie (Corvey)
and bishop of Hamburg. The pope made him legate for the Scandinavian missions.
Funds for the northern apostolate stopped with Emperor Louis’s death. After 13
years’ work in Hamburg, Ansgar saw it burned to the ground by invading
Northmen; Sweden and Denmark returned to paganism.
He directed new apostolic activities in the North, traveling to
Denmark and being instrumental in the conversion of another king. By the
strange device of casting lots, the king of Sweden allowed the Christian
missionaries to return.
Ansgar’s biographers remark that he was an extraordinary
preacher, a humble and ascetical priest. He was devoted to the poor and the
sick, imitating the Lord in washing their feet and waiting on them at table. He
died peacefully at Bremen, Germany, without achieving his wish to be a martyr.
Sweden became pagan again after his death, and remained so until
the coming of missionaries two centuries later.
Reflection
History records what people do, rather than what they are. Yet
the courage and perseverance of men and women like Ansgar can only come from a
solid base of union with the original courageous and persevering Missionary.
Ansgar’s life is another reminder that God writes straight with crooked lines.
Christ takes care of the effects of the apostolate in his own way; he is first
concerned about the purity of the apostles themselves.
Saint Ansgar is the Patron Saint of:
Denmark
LECTIO DIVINA: MARK 4:26-34
Lectio Divina:
Friday, February 1, 2019
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 the human race 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.
direct Your love that is within us,
that our efforts in the name of Your Son
may bring the human race 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 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of
God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and
rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its
own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full
grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for
the harvest has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is
sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it
is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large
branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such
parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without
parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything
in private.
3) Reflection
• It is always beautiful to see Jesus, who sought in life and in
events new elements and images which could help people to see and experience
the presence of the Kingdom. In today’s Gospel, once again, He narrates two brief
stories which take place every day in the life of all of us: the story of “the
seed that grows by itself” and the story of “the small mustard seed which grows
into the biggest shrub”.
• The story of the seed which grows alone. The farmer who plants knows the process: seed, the green sprout, leaf, spike, grain. The farmer knows how to wait. He does not cut down the grain before it is time. But he does not know how the soil, the rain, the sun and the seed have this force or strength to make the plant grow from nothing until it bears fruit. This is how the Kingdom of God is. It is a process. There are stages and moments of growth. It takes place in time. It produces fruit at just the right moment, but nobody knows how to explain its mysterious force - nobody, not even the landlord. Only God!
• The story of the small mustard seed which grows and becomes big. The mustard seed is small, but it grows, and at the end the birds make their nests in its branches. This is how the Kingdom is. It begins very small, it grows, and it extends its branches. The parable leaves an open question which will receive a response later on in the Gospel: Who are the birds? The text suggests that it is the pagans, who will not be able to enter the community and participate in the Kingdom.
• Because Jesus teaches by means of parables. Jesus tells many parables. All are taken from the life of the people! In this way He helped people discover the things of God in daily life, a life which becomes transparent because what is extraordinary from God is hidden in the ordinary and common things of daily life. People understood the things of life. In the parables they received the key to open them and to find the signs of God in them.
• The story of the seed which grows alone. The farmer who plants knows the process: seed, the green sprout, leaf, spike, grain. The farmer knows how to wait. He does not cut down the grain before it is time. But he does not know how the soil, the rain, the sun and the seed have this force or strength to make the plant grow from nothing until it bears fruit. This is how the Kingdom of God is. It is a process. There are stages and moments of growth. It takes place in time. It produces fruit at just the right moment, but nobody knows how to explain its mysterious force - nobody, not even the landlord. Only God!
• The story of the small mustard seed which grows and becomes big. The mustard seed is small, but it grows, and at the end the birds make their nests in its branches. This is how the Kingdom is. It begins very small, it grows, and it extends its branches. The parable leaves an open question which will receive a response later on in the Gospel: Who are the birds? The text suggests that it is the pagans, who will not be able to enter the community and participate in the Kingdom.
• Because Jesus teaches by means of parables. Jesus tells many parables. All are taken from the life of the people! In this way He helped people discover the things of God in daily life, a life which becomes transparent because what is extraordinary from God is hidden in the ordinary and common things of daily life. People understood the things of life. In the parables they received the key to open them and to find the signs of God in them.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus does not explain the parables. He tells the stories and
awakens in others the imagination to reflect on the discovery. What have you
discovered in these two parables?
• The purpose of these words is to render life transparent. Has your life become more transparent throughout the years, or has the contrary taken place?
• The purpose of these words is to render life transparent. Has your life become more transparent throughout the years, or has the contrary taken place?
5) Concluding Prayer
Have mercy on me, O God, in Your faithful love,
in Your great tenderness wipe away my offenses;
wash me clean from my guilt,
purify me from my sin. (Ps 51:1-2)
in Your great tenderness wipe away my offenses;
wash me clean from my guilt,
purify me from my sin. (Ps 51:1-2)
