Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 310
Lectionary: 310
The word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit,
joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit,
joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 19:8, 9, 10, 15
R. (see John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
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 19, MARK 2:13-17
Weekday
(Hebrews 4:12-16; Psalm 19)
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, which 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 who 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.
Weekday
(Hebrews 4:12-16; Psalm 19)
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, which 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 who 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 19
January 2019
Hebrews 4:12-16. Psalm 18(19):8-10, 15. Mark 2:13-17.
Your words, Lord, are spirit and life – Psalm
18(19):8-10, 15.
‘Follow me.’
In Caravaggio’s famous painting, ‘The Call of Matthew,’ the
painter’s masterful use of light and shadow lends great drama to the scene of
Mathew sitting at the tax booth. He is depicted bent covetously over his silver
pieces and wedged in by gaudily dressed acquaintances. The image is one of
being entrapped by one’s own comfort zone and attachments.
Jesus’ call, shown as a dramatic pointing of the finger, brings
light into the dark seediness of the room and, by way of allusion, our hearts.
With the psalmist, we can say that Jesus’ call is a call to spirit and life. It
calls us beyond our comfort zones and helps us recognise our attachments and
the way they diminish the life within us.
Saint Fabian
Saint of the Day for January 19
(c. 200 – January 20, 250)
Saint Fabian’s Story
Fabian was a Roman layman who came into the city from his farm
one day as clergy and people were preparing to elect a new pope. Eusebius, a
Church historian, says a dove flew in and settled on the head of Fabian. This sign
united the votes of clergy and laity, and he was chosen unanimously.
He led the Church for 14 years and died a martyr’s death during
the persecution of Decius in 250 A.D. Saint Cyprian wrote to his successor
that Fabian was an “incomparable” man whose glory in death matched the holiness
and purity of his life.
In the catacombs of Saint Callistus, the stone that covered
Fabian’s grave may still be seen, broken into four pieces, bearing the Greek
words, “Fabian, bishop, martyr.” His Liturgical Feast day is January 20.
Reflection
We can go confidently into the future and accept the change that
growth demands only if we have firm roots in the past, in a living tradition. A
few pieces of stone in Rome are a reminder to us that we are bearers of more
than 20 centuries of a living tradition of faith and courage in living the life
of Christ and showing it to the world. We have brothers and sisters who have
“gone before us with the sign of faith,” as the First Eucharistic Prayer puts
it, to light the way for us.
LECTIO DIVINA: MARK 2:13-17
Lectio Divina:
Saturday, January 19, 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 2:13-17
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."
3) Reflection
• In yesterday’s Gospel, we saw 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, there was a conflict in
the communities between Christians who had been converted from paganism and
those from Judaism. Those from Judaism found it difficult to enter into the
house of converted pagans and sit with them around the same table (cf. Acts
10:28; 11:3). In describing how Jesus faces this conflict, Mark directs 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 teaching and by acceptance on the part of the people (Mk 1:14,21,38-39; 2:2,13) in spite of the conflict 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. He spoke from His experience, of the experience which He himself had of God and life. Jesus lived in God. 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 afar with punishment and hell, becomes a friendly presence and 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 disciples. 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), it is the conscience of His mission which helps Jesus to find the response and to point the way for the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus.
• 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 teaching and by acceptance on the part of the people (Mk 1:14,21,38-39; 2:2,13) in spite of the conflict 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. He spoke from His experience, of the experience which He himself had of God and life. Jesus lived in God. 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 afar with punishment and hell, becomes a friendly presence and 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 disciples. 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), it is the conscience of His mission which helps Jesus to find the response and to point 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. What is the message for us in this act of Jesus?
• Jesus says that He has come to call sinners. He provides a path to forgiveness. How do we act once we have His forgiveness? Do we consciously try to avoid sin?
• Jesus says that He has come to call sinners. He provides a path to forgiveness. How do we act once we have His forgiveness? Do we consciously try to avoid sin?
5) Concluding prayer
May the words of my mouth always find favor,
and the whispering of my heart, in Your presence,
Yahweh, my rock, my redeemer. (Ps 19:14)
and the whispering of my heart, in Your presence,
Yahweh, my rock, my redeemer. (Ps 19:14)
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