Saturday after Epiphany
Lectionary: 217
Lectionary: 217
Beloved:
We have this confidence in him
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask,
we know that what we have asked him for is ours.
If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly,
he should pray to God and he will give him life.
This is only for those whose sin is not deadly.
There is such a thing as deadly sin,
about which I do not say that you should pray.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.
We have this confidence in him
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask,
we know that what we have asked him for is ours.
If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly,
he should pray to God and he will give him life.
This is only for those whose sin is not deadly.
There is such a thing as deadly sin,
about which I do not say that you should pray.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.
We know that anyone begotten by
God does not sin;
but the one begotten by God he protects,
and the Evil One cannot touch him.
We know that we belong to God,
and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One.
We also know that the Son of God has come
and has given us discernment to know the one who is true.
And we are in the one who is true,
in his Son Jesus Christ.
He is the true God and eternal life.
Children, be on your guard against idols.
but the one begotten by God he protects,
and the Evil One cannot touch him.
We know that we belong to God,
and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One.
We also know that the Son of God has come
and has given us discernment to know the one who is true.
And we are in the one who is true,
in his Son Jesus Christ.
He is the true God and eternal life.
Children, be on your guard against idols.
R. (see
4a) The
Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus and his disciples went into
the region of Judea,
where he spent some time with them baptizing.
John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim,
because there was an abundance of water there,
and people came to be baptized,
for John had not yet been imprisoned.
Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew
about ceremonial washings.
So they came to John and said to him,
“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan,
to whom you testified,
here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”
John answered and said,
“No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.
You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,
but that I was sent before him.
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;
the best man, who stands and listens for him,
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.
So this joy of mine has been made complete.
He must increase; I must decrease.”
where he spent some time with them baptizing.
John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim,
because there was an abundance of water there,
and people came to be baptized,
for John had not yet been imprisoned.
Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew
about ceremonial washings.
So they came to John and said to him,
“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan,
to whom you testified,
here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”
John answered and said,
“No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.
You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,
but that I was sent before him.
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;
the best man, who stands and listens for him,
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.
So this joy of mine has been made complete.
He must increase; I must decrease.”
Meditation: "This joy of mine is now
full"
Do you know the joy of the Lord? When some friends of John the
Baptist complain that all the people are now going to Jesus, John in his
characteristic humility exclaimed that he was not the Messiah but only the
messenger sent to prepare his way. John describes the Messiah as the Bridegroom
and himself as the friend of the Bridegroom. The image of the groom delighting
in his bride and the joy of the wedding feast is used in the Bible as a sign or
symbol of God's covenant love and joy in being united with his people, whom he
calls his bride. As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall
your God rejoice over you (Isaiah 62:5).
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit John recognized that Jesus
was the anointed Messiah, sent from the Father in heaven to reunite his people
to himself. John acted as the groom's best man in arranging the marriage and in
making preparations for the marriage feast. John and his disciples now rejoice
that the Bridegroom has come to make his bride, the people of God, ready for
the marriage feast. The New Testament tells us that Christ's blood which was
shed upon the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, seals us in a new
covenant between God and his people. The Book of Revelation depicts
the final fulfillment and consummation of this new covenant relationship at the
marriage feast of the "Lamb and his Bride" in the New Jerusalem
(see Revelations 21-22). Do you look with joyful anticipation to the
consummation of God's plan for his people at the end of the ages?
"Lord Jesus, may I never forget the love you have poured
out for me when you shed your blood upon the Cross of Calvary for my sins and
for my salvation. May your love always grow in me and your hope fill me with
joy as I wait for your return in glory when all of your people will be fully
united with you at your heavenly banquet feast in the New Jerusalem."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Christ
is the husband of the church his bride, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397
A.D.
"This means he alone is the husband of the church (John 3:29),
he is the expectation of the nations, and the prophets removed their sandals
while offering to him a union of nuptial grace. He is the bridegroom; I am the
friend of the bridegroom. I rejoice because he is coming, because I hear the
nuptial chant, because now we do not hear the harsh penalties for sinners, the
harsh torments of the law, but the forgiveness of offenses, the cry of joy, the
sound of cheerfulness, the rejoicing of the nuptial feast." (excerpt
from ON THE PATRIARCHS 4.22)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, JOHN 3:22-30
Christmas Weekday
(1 John 5:14-21; Psalm 149)
Christmas Weekday
(1 John 5:14-21; Psalm 149)
KEY VERSE: "He must increase; I must decrease" (v.30).
TO KNOW: With the close of the ministry of John the Baptist, the age of promise was at an end, and the time of fulfillment was at hand. After Jesus was baptized by John, he spent time with his disciples who immersed those who chose to follow Jesus (John explained that Jesus did not baptize; only his disciples baptized, Jn 4:2). John the Baptist's disciples objected to the baptisms performed by Jesus' disciples. They complained that everyone was following Jesus instead of John. But the Baptist explained that “No one could receive anything, unless it had been given to them from heaven” (Jn 3:27). He reminded his jealous followers that he was simply the best man at the wedding, and it was Jesus who was the bridegroom. John's role was complete, and as his ministry decreased, he must step aside for Jesus whose role would now increase.
TO LOVE: Does my ministry draw more attention to myself than to Jesus?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to serve with humility like John.
Saturday 11 January 2020
1 John 5:14-21. Psalm 149:1-6, 9. John 3:22-30.
The Lord takes delight in his people – Psalm 149:1-6, 9
The Lord takes delight in his people – Psalm 149:1-6, 9
“We also know that the Son of God has come.”
Once upon a time a monastery got tired and jaded, and the monks
became rude both to themselves and to visitors. One day, a wise old Jewish rabbi
who lived nearby came to the Abbott with a suggestion: one among the monks was
actually the Messiah! The monks suddenly changed in their behaviour to one
another; they wanted to offer their best to the Messiah whoever he was. None of
them ever found out, but from then on the monastery was a peaceful and
welcoming place, full of service and love. Today’s reading says that ‘anyone
begotten by God does not sin,’ but perhaps we could read that as ‘anyone who
truly knows they are begotten by God will act accordingly.’ When we believe
that Christ has come among us then our faith will grow and will become clearer
in our actions. Like John the Baptist we ourselves will look like Christ and
will be able to step aside to rejoice in his coming.
Blessed William Carter
Saint of the Day for January 11
(c. 1548 – January 11, 1584)
 |
| St. Andrew’s and Blessed George Haydock’s Catholic Church, Cottam, Lancashire, UK | photo by Skodoway (Blessed William Carter was one of their companions.) |
Blessed William Carter’s Story
Born in London, William Carter entered the printing business at
an early age. For many years he served as apprentice to well-known Catholic
printers, one of whom served a prison sentence for persisting in the Catholic
faith. William himself served time in prison following his arrest for “printing
lewd [i.e., Catholic] pamphlets” as well as possessing books upholding
Catholicism.
But even more, he offended public officials by publishing works
that aimed to keep Catholics firm in their faith. Officials who searched his
house found various vestments and suspect books, and even managed to extract
information from William’s distraught wife. Over the next 18 months, William
remained in prison, suffering torture and learning of his wife’s death.
He was eventually charged with printing and publishing the Treatise
of Schisme, which allegedly incited violence by Catholics and which was
said to have been written by a traitor and addressed to traitors. While William
calmly placed his trust in God, the jury met for only 15 minutes before
reaching a verdict of guilty. William, who made his final confession to a
priest who was being tried alongside him, was hanged, drawn, and quartered the
following day: January 11, 1584.
He was beatified in 1987.
Reflection
It didn’t pay to be Catholic in Elizabeth I’s realm. In an age
when religious diversity did not yet seem possible, it was high treason, and
practicing the faith was dangerous. William gave his life for his efforts to
encourage his brothers and sisters to keep up the struggle. These days, our
brothers and sisters also need encouragement—not because their lives are at
risk, but because many other factors besiege their faith. They look to us.
Lectio Divina: John 3:22-30
Lectio Divina
Saturday, January 11, 2020
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
through Your Son You made us a new creation.
He shared our nature and became one of us;
with His help, may we become more like Him,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
through Your Son You made us a new creation.
He shared our nature and became one of us;
with His help, may we become more like Him,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - John 3:22-30
Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he
spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near
Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be
baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the
disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and
said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom
you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him." John
answered and said, "No one can receive anything except what has been given
from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,
but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;
the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the
bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must
increase; I must decrease."
3) Reflection
• Both John the Baptist and Jesus indicated a new way to the
crowds. But Jesus, after having adhered to the movement of John the Baptist,
and after having been baptized by him, advanced a step ahead and created His
own movement. He baptized people in the Jordan River when John the
Baptist was also doing it. Both of them attracted the poor and abandoned people
of Palestine by announcing the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
• Jesus, the new preacher, had a certain advantage over John the Baptist. He baptized more people and attracted more disciples. Thus, a tension arose between the disciples of John and those of Jesus, concerning the “purification,” that is, concerning the value of baptism. The disciples of John the Baptist experienced a certain envy and went to John to speak to him and informed him about the movement of Jesus.
• John’s response to his disciples is a beautiful response, which reveals his great spirit. John helps his disciples to see things more objectively. He uses three arguments: a) Nobody receives anything which is not given by God. If Jesus does such beautiful things, it is because he receives them from God (Jn 3:27). Instead of having envy, the disciples should feel joy. b) John reaffirms once again that he, John, is not the Messiah but only the precursor (Jn 3:28). c) In the end, he uses a comparison taken from the wedding feast. At that time, in Palestine, on the day of the wedding, in the house of the bride, the so called “friends of the bridegroom” waited for the arrival of the bridegroom to present him to the bride. In this case, Jesus is the bridegroom, the crowd is the bride, John the friend of the bridegroom. John the Baptist says that, in the voice of Jesus, he recognizes the voice of the bridegroom and can present him to the bride, to the crowds. At this moment, the bridegroom, the people, leave the friend of the bridegroom and follow Jesus, because they recognize in Him the voice of their bridegroom! And for this reason the joy of John is great, “complete joy”. John wants nothing for himself! His mission is to present the bridegroom to the bride! The last sentence summarizes everything: “He must increase, I must decrease!” This statement is also the program for anyone who follows Jesus.
• At the end of the first century, in Palestine as well as in Asia Minor, where there were some communities of Jews, there were also people who had been in contact with John the Baptist or who had been baptized by him (Acts 19:3). Seen from outside, the movement of John the Baptist and that of Jesus were very similar to one another. Both of them announced the coming of the Kingdom (cf. Mt 3:1-2; 4:17). There must have been some confusion between the followers of John and those of Jesus. And because of this, the witness of John about Jesus was very important. The four Gospels are concerned about transmitting the words of John the Baptist saying that he is not the Messiah. For the Christian communities, the Christian response, John’s response, “He must increase but I must decrease” was valid not only for the disciples of John at the time of Jesus, but also for the disciples of the Batiste or Cambric community of the end of the first century.
• Jesus, the new preacher, had a certain advantage over John the Baptist. He baptized more people and attracted more disciples. Thus, a tension arose between the disciples of John and those of Jesus, concerning the “purification,” that is, concerning the value of baptism. The disciples of John the Baptist experienced a certain envy and went to John to speak to him and informed him about the movement of Jesus.
• John’s response to his disciples is a beautiful response, which reveals his great spirit. John helps his disciples to see things more objectively. He uses three arguments: a) Nobody receives anything which is not given by God. If Jesus does such beautiful things, it is because he receives them from God (Jn 3:27). Instead of having envy, the disciples should feel joy. b) John reaffirms once again that he, John, is not the Messiah but only the precursor (Jn 3:28). c) In the end, he uses a comparison taken from the wedding feast. At that time, in Palestine, on the day of the wedding, in the house of the bride, the so called “friends of the bridegroom” waited for the arrival of the bridegroom to present him to the bride. In this case, Jesus is the bridegroom, the crowd is the bride, John the friend of the bridegroom. John the Baptist says that, in the voice of Jesus, he recognizes the voice of the bridegroom and can present him to the bride, to the crowds. At this moment, the bridegroom, the people, leave the friend of the bridegroom and follow Jesus, because they recognize in Him the voice of their bridegroom! And for this reason the joy of John is great, “complete joy”. John wants nothing for himself! His mission is to present the bridegroom to the bride! The last sentence summarizes everything: “He must increase, I must decrease!” This statement is also the program for anyone who follows Jesus.
• At the end of the first century, in Palestine as well as in Asia Minor, where there were some communities of Jews, there were also people who had been in contact with John the Baptist or who had been baptized by him (Acts 19:3). Seen from outside, the movement of John the Baptist and that of Jesus were very similar to one another. Both of them announced the coming of the Kingdom (cf. Mt 3:1-2; 4:17). There must have been some confusion between the followers of John and those of Jesus. And because of this, the witness of John about Jesus was very important. The four Gospels are concerned about transmitting the words of John the Baptist saying that he is not the Messiah. For the Christian communities, the Christian response, John’s response, “He must increase but I must decrease” was valid not only for the disciples of John at the time of Jesus, but also for the disciples of the Batiste or Cambric community of the end of the first century.
4) Personal questions
• “He must increase, I must decrease”. This is John’s agenda. Is
this also my agenda?
• What is important is that the bride finds the bridegroom. We are only spokespersons, nothing more. Am I this?
• Here John shows the essence of humility, which has many forms. In what ways do I exemplify humility?
• What is important is that the bride finds the bridegroom. We are only spokespersons, nothing more. Am I this?
• Here John shows the essence of humility, which has many forms. In what ways do I exemplify humility?
5) Concluding prayer
They shall dance in praise of His name,
play to Him on tambourines and harp!
For Yahweh loves His people,
He will crown the humble with salvation. (Ps 149:3-4)
play to Him on tambourines and harp!
For Yahweh loves His people,
He will crown the humble with salvation. (Ps 149:3-4)
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