Friday of the First Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 309
Lectionary: 309
Let us be on our guard
while the promise of entering into his rest remains,
that none of you seem to have failed.
For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did.
But the word that they heard did not profit them,
for they were not united in faith with those who listened.
For we who believed enter into that rest,
just as he has said:
As I swore in my wrath,
"They shall not enter into my rest,"
and yet his works were accomplished
at the foundation of the world.
For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner,
And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;
and again, in the previously mentioned place,
They shall not enter into my rest.
Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest,
so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.
while the promise of entering into his rest remains,
that none of you seem to have failed.
For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did.
But the word that they heard did not profit them,
for they were not united in faith with those who listened.
For we who believed enter into that rest,
just as he has said:
As I swore in my wrath,
"They shall not enter into my rest,"
and yet his works were accomplished
at the foundation of the world.
For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner,
And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;
and again, in the previously mentioned place,
They shall not enter into my rest.
Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest,
so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 78:3 AND 4BC, 6C-7, 8
R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord!
What we have heard and know,
and what our fathers have declared to us,
we will declare to the generation to come
The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
That they too may rise and declare to their sons
that they should put their hope in God,
And not forget the deeds of God
but keep his commands.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
And not be like their fathers,
a generation wayward and rebellious,
A generation that kept not its heart steadfast
nor its spirit faithful toward God.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
What we have heard and know,
and what our fathers have declared to us,
we will declare to the generation to come
The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
That they too may rise and declare to their sons
that they should put their hope in God,
And not forget the deeds of God
but keep his commands.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
And not be like their fathers,
a generation wayward and rebellious,
A generation that kept not its heart steadfast
nor its spirit faithful toward God.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
AlleluiaLK 7:16
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MK 2:1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,
"Child, your sins are forgiven."
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what
they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
–he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,
"Child, your sins are forgiven."
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what
they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
–he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."
Meditation: "We never
saw anything like this!"
Do
you know the healing power of forgiveness and compassion? Jesus' treatment of
sinners upset the religious teachers of the day. When a cripple was brought to
Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first
forgave the man his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they
understood that only God had authority to forgive sins and to unbind a man or
woman from their burden of guilt.
Jesus claimed an authority which only God could rightfully give. Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he showed the great power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his body as well. The Lord is every ready to bring us healing of body, mind, and spirit. Is there any area in your life that cripples you from walking in the freedom of Christ's transforming love and forgiveness?
Jesus claimed an authority which only God could rightfully give. Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he showed the great power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his body as well. The Lord is every ready to bring us healing of body, mind, and spirit. Is there any area in your life that cripples you from walking in the freedom of Christ's transforming love and forgiveness?
Bishop
Ambrose of Milan (339-397 AD), an early church father, explains how the healing
of the paralytic points not only to Christ's power to heal the whole person,
but also to raise the body to everlasting life as well:
But
the Lord, wanting to save sinners, shows himself to be God both by his
knowledge of secrets and by the wonder of his actions. He adds, "Which is
easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you'’ or to say, 'Rise and walk?'"
In this passage he shows the full likeness of the resurrection. Alongside of
healing the wounds of body and mind, he also forgives the sins of the spirit,
removes the weakness of the flesh, and thus heals the whole person. It is a great
thing to forgive people's sins - who can forgive sins, but God alone? For God
also forgives through those to whom he has given the power of forgiveness. Yet
it is far more divine to give resurrection to bodies, since the Lord himself is
the resurrection. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
5.12–13.5)
Do
you believe in the healing transforming power of Christ's forgiveness and
merciful love? Ask him to set you free and transform your mind and heart to be
like his heart.
"Lord
Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and
restoration to body, soul, and mind. May your healing power and love touch
every area of my life - my innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and
memories. Pardon my offenses and transform me in the power of your Holy Spirit
that I may walk confidently in your love, truth, and righteousness."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Reverse your relation with sickness,
by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD)
"Take
up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that
what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness.
Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of
the strength that has been restored to you." (excerpt from HOMILY
50.6)
[Peter
Chrysologus was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century]
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, MARK 2:1-12
Weekday
(Hebrews 4:1-5, 11; Psalm 78)
Weekday
(Hebrews 4:1-5, 11; Psalm 78)
KEY VERSE: "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home" (v 11).
TO KNOW: Jesus returned to his mission base in Capernaum (probably Simon Peter's house). When the people learned that he was at home, they came in great numbers to listen to him preach the gospel. Four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus to heal him, but they could not get through the crowds. Undaunted, they carried the man up the outside staircase and opened a hole in the thatched roof. Then they lowered the man on a stretcher to the feet of Jesus below. When Jesus saw the faith of these men, he was moved with pity and healed the paralytic by telling him that his sins were forgiven (In ancient times disease or misfortune was thought to be the penalty for sin (Job 4:7-9). In saying this, Jesus touched off the first of a series of controversies with the religious leaders. The scribes murmured “blasphemy” (v. 7) as only God was capable of forgiving sins. To prove that “the Son of Man” (Jesus’ typical way of speaking of himself, Dan 7:13) had authority to "forgive sins on earth” (v 10) Jesus commanded the man to rise and walk, thus revealing his divine authority over physical and spiritual sickness. The people were astounded and gave glory to God for the healing, the true purpose of any miracle.
TO LOVE: What is the sin in my life that keeps me paralyzed?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to confess my sins so that I might receive spiritual health.
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 2019 is: “Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:18-20).
Friday 18 January 2019
St Margaret Of Hungary.
Hebrews 4:1-5, 11. Psalm 77(78):3-4, 6-8. Mark 2:1-12.
Hebrews 4:1-5, 11. Psalm 77(78):3-4, 6-8. Mark 2:1-12.
Do not forget the works of the Lord! Psalm
77(78):3-4, 6-8.
‘We have never seen anything like this!’
This is one of the great gospel stories. Jesus joins together
healing and forgiveness. He did not mean that the man’s condition was some
punishment for sin. But he showed that healing and forgiveness go hand-in-hand.
The healing that forgiveness brings is not so much a physical
healing, but a healing of the heart and soul. That which weighs us down and
prevents us from walking and standing tall can be lifted from us through the
process of forgiveness. When we experience the love and mercy of God and one
another, we can live our lives again with greater freedom to love and serve
those around us.
Saint Charles of Sezze
Saint of the Day for January 18
(October 19, 1613 – January 6, 1670)
 |
| Saint Charles from Sezze, Immaculate’s church, Latina | Antonio Sicurezza |
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 2:1-12
Lectio Divina:
Friday, January 18, 2019
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.
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 2,1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became
known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer
room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They
came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus
because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken
through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw
their faith, he said to him, "Child, your sins are forgiven." Now some
of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, "Why does this man
speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he
said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier,
to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up
your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to
forgive sins on earth" –he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise,
pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his mat at once, and
went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God,
saying, "We have never seen anything like this."
3) Reflection
• In Mark 1:1-15, Mark shows how the Good News of God should be
prepared and spread. In Mark 1:16-45, he describes the objective of the Good
News and the mission of the community. Now, in Mk 2:1 to 3, 6 there is the
effect of the proclamation of the Good News. A community faithful to the Gospel
lives values which can be in contradiction to the interests of the unjust
society which surrounds it. This is why one of the effects of the proclamation
of the Good News is the conflict with those who defend the interests of the
unjust society. Mark gathers together five conflicts which the proclamation of
the Good News brought to Jesus.
• In the year 70, the time when he wrote his Gospel, there were many conflicts in the life of the communities, but they did not always know how to behave before the accusations which they received from the Roman authorities and from the Jewish leaders. This series of five conflicts found in Mk 2:1 to 3, 6 served as a guide to the communities, those of the past as well as those of today. Conflict is not an incident along the road, it forms part of the journey.
• The following is the outline of the five conflicts which Mark presents in his Gospel:
Texts conflict:
1st conflict: Mk 2:1-12
2nd conflict: Mk 2:13-17
3rd conflict: Mk 2:18-22
4th conflict: Mk 2:23-28
5th conflict: Mk 3:1-6
• In the year 70, the time when he wrote his Gospel, there were many conflicts in the life of the communities, but they did not always know how to behave before the accusations which they received from the Roman authorities and from the Jewish leaders. This series of five conflicts found in Mk 2:1 to 3, 6 served as a guide to the communities, those of the past as well as those of today. Conflict is not an incident along the road, it forms part of the journey.
• The following is the outline of the five conflicts which Mark presents in his Gospel:
Texts conflict:
1st conflict: Mk 2:1-12
2nd conflict: Mk 2:13-17
3rd conflict: Mk 2:18-22
4th conflict: Mk 2:23-28
5th conflict: Mk 3:1-6
Adversaries of Jesus:
The scribes
The scribes of the Pharisees
The disciples of John and the Pharisees
The Pharisees
The Pharisees and the Herodians
The scribes of the Pharisees
The disciples of John and the Pharisees
The Pharisees
The Pharisees and the Herodians
Cause of the conflict:
Forgiveness of sins
To eat with sinners
The practice of fasting
Observance of Saturday
To cure on Saturday
• The solidarity of the friends of the paralytic obtains the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is returning to Capernaum. Many people gather before the door of the house. He accepts everybody and begins to teach them. To teach, to speak of God, was what Jesus did the most. A paralytic, carried by four friends, arrived. Jesus is their only hope. They do not doubt about going up and they make an opening in the roof over the place where Jesus was. It must have been a poor house, with the roof being just mud covered with leaves. They lowered the stretcher with the man to Jesus. Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic: your sins are forgiven you. At that time people thought that physical defects (paralytic) were a punishment from God for any sin that had been committed. The Doctors of the Law taught that the person remained impure and therefore, incapable of getting close to God. For this reason, the sick, the poor, the paralytics, felt that they were rejected by God! But Jesus did not think this way. Such a great faith was a sign that the paralytic was accepted by God. And for this reason, He declares: “Your sins are forgiven you!” With this affirmation Jesus denies that the paralysis was a punishment due to the sin of the man.
• Jesus is accused of blasphemy by those who held power. The affirmation of Jesus was contrary to the catechism of the time. It was not in accordance with the idea that they had of God. And because of this they react against and accuse Jesus: He blasphemes! According to them only God could forgive sins. And only the priest could declare someone forgiven and purified. How could it be that Jesus, a man without studies, a lay person, a simple carpenter, could declare people forgiven and purified of their sins? There was also another reason which pushed them to criticize Jesus. They had thought: “If it is true what Jesus says, we will lose our power! We will lose our source of income”.
• By curing, Jesus shows that He also has the power to forgive sins. Jesus perceives the criticism. This is why He asks: “Which of these is easier to say to the paralytic: Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, get up, pick up your stretcher and walk? It is easier to say: “Your sins are forgiven you”. Because nobody can verify if the sins have truly been forgiven or not. But if I tell him: “Get up and walk!”, there, all can see if I have or don't have the power to heal. In order to show that He had the power to forgive sins, in the name of God, Jesus says to the paralytic: Get up, take up your stretcher and go off home! He cures the man! The leaders were confronted with a dilemma. Either their teaching was wrong and sickness is not related to sin, or Jesus had the power to forgive sins, proven by their own teaching! Thus, through a miracle, He taught that the paralysis of the man was not a punishment from God, and He showed that the faith of the poor is a proof that God accepts them in His love.
• The message of the miracle and the reaction of people. The paralytic gets up, he takes his stretcher, and begins to walk, and all say: “We have never seen anything like this!” This miracle reveals three very important things: a) The sicknesses of people are not a punishment for sins. b) Jesus opens a new way to reach God. What the system called impurity was no more an obstacle for people to get close to God. c) The face of God revealed through the attitude of Jesus was different from the severe face of God revealed by the attitude of the doctors.
• This reminds us of what a drug addict said once he had recovered and who is now a member of a community in Curitiba, Brazil: “I grew up in the Catholic religion. I abandoned it. My parents were good practicing Catholics and wanted us, their children to be like them. People were obliged always to go to Church, every Sunday and every feast day. And when one did not go, they would say: “God will punish you”. I went because this was imposed upon me, and when I became an adult, I no longer went to Mass. I did not like the God of my parents. I could not understand that God, the Creator of the world, could extend over me, a small child, threatening me with the punishment of hell. I liked much more the God of my uncle who never went to Church, but who every day, and I repeat, every day, bought twice as much bread than what he ate, in order to give to the poor!”.
Forgiveness of sins
To eat with sinners
The practice of fasting
Observance of Saturday
To cure on Saturday
• The solidarity of the friends of the paralytic obtains the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is returning to Capernaum. Many people gather before the door of the house. He accepts everybody and begins to teach them. To teach, to speak of God, was what Jesus did the most. A paralytic, carried by four friends, arrived. Jesus is their only hope. They do not doubt about going up and they make an opening in the roof over the place where Jesus was. It must have been a poor house, with the roof being just mud covered with leaves. They lowered the stretcher with the man to Jesus. Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic: your sins are forgiven you. At that time people thought that physical defects (paralytic) were a punishment from God for any sin that had been committed. The Doctors of the Law taught that the person remained impure and therefore, incapable of getting close to God. For this reason, the sick, the poor, the paralytics, felt that they were rejected by God! But Jesus did not think this way. Such a great faith was a sign that the paralytic was accepted by God. And for this reason, He declares: “Your sins are forgiven you!” With this affirmation Jesus denies that the paralysis was a punishment due to the sin of the man.
• Jesus is accused of blasphemy by those who held power. The affirmation of Jesus was contrary to the catechism of the time. It was not in accordance with the idea that they had of God. And because of this they react against and accuse Jesus: He blasphemes! According to them only God could forgive sins. And only the priest could declare someone forgiven and purified. How could it be that Jesus, a man without studies, a lay person, a simple carpenter, could declare people forgiven and purified of their sins? There was also another reason which pushed them to criticize Jesus. They had thought: “If it is true what Jesus says, we will lose our power! We will lose our source of income”.
• By curing, Jesus shows that He also has the power to forgive sins. Jesus perceives the criticism. This is why He asks: “Which of these is easier to say to the paralytic: Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, get up, pick up your stretcher and walk? It is easier to say: “Your sins are forgiven you”. Because nobody can verify if the sins have truly been forgiven or not. But if I tell him: “Get up and walk!”, there, all can see if I have or don't have the power to heal. In order to show that He had the power to forgive sins, in the name of God, Jesus says to the paralytic: Get up, take up your stretcher and go off home! He cures the man! The leaders were confronted with a dilemma. Either their teaching was wrong and sickness is not related to sin, or Jesus had the power to forgive sins, proven by their own teaching! Thus, through a miracle, He taught that the paralysis of the man was not a punishment from God, and He showed that the faith of the poor is a proof that God accepts them in His love.
• The message of the miracle and the reaction of people. The paralytic gets up, he takes his stretcher, and begins to walk, and all say: “We have never seen anything like this!” This miracle reveals three very important things: a) The sicknesses of people are not a punishment for sins. b) Jesus opens a new way to reach God. What the system called impurity was no more an obstacle for people to get close to God. c) The face of God revealed through the attitude of Jesus was different from the severe face of God revealed by the attitude of the doctors.
• This reminds us of what a drug addict said once he had recovered and who is now a member of a community in Curitiba, Brazil: “I grew up in the Catholic religion. I abandoned it. My parents were good practicing Catholics and wanted us, their children to be like them. People were obliged always to go to Church, every Sunday and every feast day. And when one did not go, they would say: “God will punish you”. I went because this was imposed upon me, and when I became an adult, I no longer went to Mass. I did not like the God of my parents. I could not understand that God, the Creator of the world, could extend over me, a small child, threatening me with the punishment of hell. I liked much more the God of my uncle who never went to Church, but who every day, and I repeat, every day, bought twice as much bread than what he ate, in order to give to the poor!”.
4) Personal questions
• Do you like the God of the uncle or the God of the parents of
the ex drug addict?
• Which is the face of God that others discover in my behavior?
• Which is the face of God that others discover in my behavior?
5) Concluding prayer
What we have heard and know,
what our ancestors have told us
we shall not conceal from their descendants,
but will tell to a generation still to come:
the praises of Yahweh, His power,
the wonderful deeds He has done. (Ps 78,3-4)
what our ancestors have told us
we shall not conceal from their descendants,
but will tell to a generation still to come:
the praises of Yahweh, His power,
the wonderful deeds He has done. (Ps 78,3-4)
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