Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 307
Lectionary: 307
During the time young Samuel was
minister to the LORD under Eli,
a revelation of the LORD was uncommon and vision infrequent.
One day Eli was asleep in his usual place.
His eyes had lately grown so weak that he could not see.
The lamp of God was not yet extinguished,
and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD
where the ark of God was.
The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”
a revelation of the LORD was uncommon and vision infrequent.
One day Eli was asleep in his usual place.
His eyes had lately grown so weak that he could not see.
The lamp of God was not yet extinguished,
and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD
where the ark of God was.
The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”
Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here
I am. You called me.”
“I did not call you,” Eli said. “Go back to sleep.”
So he went back to sleep.
Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.
“Here I am,” he said. “You called me.”
But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.”
At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD,
because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.
The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time.
Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am.
You called me.”
Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So Eli said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’”
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
“I did not call you,” Eli said. “Go back to sleep.”
So he went back to sleep.
Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.
“Here I am,” he said. “You called me.”
But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.”
At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD,
because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.
The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time.
Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am.
You called me.”
Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So Eli said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’”
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Samuel grew up, and the LORD was
with him,
not permitting any word of his to be without effect.
Thus all Israel from Dan to Beersheba
came to know that Samuel was an accredited prophet of the LORD.
not permitting any word of his to be without effect.
Thus all Israel from Dan to Beersheba
came to know that Samuel was an accredited prophet of the LORD.
Responsorial
Psalm40:2 AND 5, 7-8A, 8B-9, 10
R. (8a and
9a) Here am
I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
Blessed the man who makes the LORD his trust;
who turns not to idolatry
or to those who stray after falsehood.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me.
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
Blessed the man who makes the LORD his trust;
who turns not to idolatry
or to those who stray after falsehood.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me.
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
AlleluiaJN 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
Meditation: Jesus healed
many who were sick
Who
do you take your troubles to? Jesus' disciples freely brought their troubles to
him because they found him ready and able to deal with any difficulty,
affliction, or sickness which they encountered. When Simon brought Jesus to his
home, his mother-in-law was instantly healed because Jesus heard Simon's
prayer. Jerome, an early church bible scholar and translator (c. 347-420),
reflects on this passage:
“Can
you imagine Jesus standing before your bed and you continue sleeping? It is
absurd that you would remain in bed in his presence. Where is Jesus? He is
already here offering himself to us. 'In the middle,' he says, 'among you he
stands, whom you do not recognize' (Cf. John 1:26) 'The kingdom of God is in
your midst' (Mark 1:15). Faith beholds Jesus among us. If we are unable to
seize his hand, let us prostrate ourselves at his feet. If we are unable to
reach his head, let us wash his feet with our tears. Our repentance is the
perfume of the Savior. See how costly is the compassion of the Savior."
Do
you allow Jesus to be the Lord and healer in your personal life, family, and
community? Approach the Lord with expectant faith. God's healing power restores
us not only to health but to active service and care of others. There is no
trouble he does not want to help us with and there is no bondage he can't set
us free from. Do you take your troubles to him with expectant faith that he
will help you?
"Lord
Jesus Christ, you have all power to heal and to deliver from harm. There is no
trouble nor bondage you cannot overcome. Set me free to serve you joyfully and
to love and serve others generously. May nothing hinder me from giving myself
wholly to you and to your service."
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, MARK 1:29-39
Weekday
(1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20; Psalm 40)
Weekday
(1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20; Psalm 40)
KEY VERSE: "He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons" (v 34).
TO KNOW: Mark presents Jesus as a healer, soter, which just means "the bearer of salus" or health. After the Sabbath service in Capernaum, Jesus went with his disciples James and John to Simon Peter’s home. When Simon informed Jesus that his mother-in-law was gravely ill, Jesus simply took her by the hand and helped her to get up. The woman was immediately healed by his touch, and in gratitude, she waited on all in the house. When the Sabbath ended at sundown, the people were free to bring their sick to Jesus. The whole town gathered at Jesus' door and he cured many of their illnesses. The miracles that Jesus worked, combined with his authoritative teaching, were signs pointing to the coming of God's reign, which he announced at the beginning of his ministry (Mk 1:15). Rising early the next morning, Jesus went to a deserted place for prayer, but even there his disciples sought him, pressing him to return to Capernaum. Jesus told them that he must take his message to other villages throughout Galilee to reveal God's kingdom of compassion and mercy.
TO LOVE: Do I run after signs and wonders or do I seek Jesus?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, teach me so that I might better serve others.
Wednesday 15 January 2020
1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20. Psalm 39 (40):2, 5, 7-10. Mark 1:29-39.
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will – Psalm 39 (40):2, 5, 7-10
‘What happens when we give our fill attention to God.’
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will – Psalm 39 (40):2, 5, 7-10
‘What happens when we give our fill attention to God.’
Today’s readings are about what happens when we give our full
attention to God. In the first reading, Samuel hears a voice that he believes
was his father’s. He learns it is God speaking to him, and says, ‘Speak, for
your servant is listening.’ God remains with Samuel, and he becomes a great and
wise prophet.
In the Gospel, people come to Jesus asking him to drive out
their demons. Again, in giving their attention to Christ, they are liberated
from what besets them.
What can we achieve if we give our attention to God? What will
happen if we attune ourselves to God’s voice as it calls us? What would happen
if we bring our sufferings to God and ask for them to be healed? God, help me
to better attune myself to your presence in my daily life so that I might better
follow you.
Saint Paul the Hermit
Saint of the Day for January 15
(c. 233 – c. 345)
 |
| Saint Paul the Hermit | Jusepe de Ribera |
Saint Paul the Hermit’s Story
It is unclear what we really know of Paul’s life, how much is
fable, how much is fact.
Paul was reportedly born in Egypt, where he was orphaned by age
15. He was also a learned and devout young man. During the persecution of
Decius in Egypt in the year 250, Paul was forced to hide in the home of a
friend. Fearing a brother-in-law would betray him, he fled in a cave in the
desert. His plan was to return once the persecution ended, but the sweetness of
solitude and heavenly contemplation convinced him to stay.
He went on to live in that cave for the next 90 years. A nearby
spring gave him drink, a palm tree furnished him clothing and nourishment.
After 21 years of solitude, a bird began bringing him half of a loaf of bread
each day. Without knowing what was happening in the world, Paul prayed that the
world would become a better place.
Saint Anthony of Egypt attests to his holy life and death.
Tempted by the thought that no one had served God in the wilderness longer than
he, Anthony was led by God to find Paul and acknowledge him as a man more
perfect than himself. The raven that day brought a whole loaf of bread instead
of the usual half. As Paul predicted, Anthony would return to bury his new
friend.
Thought to have been about 112 when he died, Paul is known as
the “First Hermit.” His feast day is celebrated in the East; he is also
commemorated in the Coptic and Armenian rites of the Mass.
Reflection
The will and direction of God are seen in the circumstances of
our lives. Led by the grace of God, we are free to respond with choices that
bring us closer to and make us more dependent upon the God who created us.
Those choices might at times seem to lead us away from our neighbor. But
ultimately they lead us back both in prayer and in fellowship to one another.
Lectio Divina: Mark 1:29-39
Lectio Divina
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
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 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and
Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They
immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her
up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after
sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole
town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various
diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because
they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a
deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them,
"Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For
this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and
driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
3) Reflection
• Jesus restores life for the service. After having participated
in the celebration of Saturday in the Synagogue, Jesus went to Peter’s house
and cured his mother-in-law. Once healed, she gets up, with her health restored
and having recovered her dignity, and she begins to serve. Jesus does not only
heal the person, but He does it in such a way that she begins to serve life.
• Jesus accepts the marginalized. When it begins to get dark, in the afternoon, at the end of Saturday when the first star shines in the sky, Jesus accepts and cures the sick and those possessed whom people had brought to Him. The sick and those possessed were the most marginalized people of that time. They had nobody to whom they had recourse. They depended on public charity. Besides this, religion considered them impure. They could not participate in the community. It was as if God rejected and excluded them. Therefore, the Good News of God consists of what He wants to do in the life of people: to accept the marginalized and the excluded, and to insert them again to live together in the community.
• To remain united to the Father, in prayer. Jesus is presented to us while He prays. He makes a great effort to have the time and the adequate environment to pray. He rises before the others and goes to a deserted place, to be able to be alone with God. Many times the Gospels speak to us about the prayer of Jesus, in silence (Mt 14:22-23); Mk 1:35; Lk 5:15-16; 3:21-22). Through prayer He maintains the awareness of His mission.
• To maintain the awareness of the mission and not to close oneself up in what is already obtained. Jesus is known. Everybody follows Him. This publicity pleases the disciples. They go to look for Jesus to take Him back to the people who were seeking for Him, and they tell Him: “All are looking for You.” They thought that Jesus would go to the banquet. They were disillusioned! Jesus does not pay attention and tells them: “Let us go elsewhere. It is precisely for this that I have come!” Surely, they must have been surprised! Jesus was not like what they had imagined Him to be. Jesus had a very clear conscience of the mission and wants to transmit this to the disciples. He does not want them to close themselves up in the results already obtained. They should not look back. But, like Jesus, they should maintain conscious of their mission. It is the mission received from the Father, which has to orientate their decisions.
• It is precisely for this that I have come! This was the first misunderstanding between Jesus and His disciples. At present, it is only a question of a small difference. Later on, in the Gospel of Mark, this misunderstanding will grow and will practically become a break between Jesus and the disciples (cf. Mk 8:14-21,32-33; 9:32; 14:27). Today, there are some misunderstandings along the way in the proclaiming the Good News. Mark helps one to be attentive to the differences.
• Jesus accepts the marginalized. When it begins to get dark, in the afternoon, at the end of Saturday when the first star shines in the sky, Jesus accepts and cures the sick and those possessed whom people had brought to Him. The sick and those possessed were the most marginalized people of that time. They had nobody to whom they had recourse. They depended on public charity. Besides this, religion considered them impure. They could not participate in the community. It was as if God rejected and excluded them. Therefore, the Good News of God consists of what He wants to do in the life of people: to accept the marginalized and the excluded, and to insert them again to live together in the community.
• To remain united to the Father, in prayer. Jesus is presented to us while He prays. He makes a great effort to have the time and the adequate environment to pray. He rises before the others and goes to a deserted place, to be able to be alone with God. Many times the Gospels speak to us about the prayer of Jesus, in silence (Mt 14:22-23); Mk 1:35; Lk 5:15-16; 3:21-22). Through prayer He maintains the awareness of His mission.
• To maintain the awareness of the mission and not to close oneself up in what is already obtained. Jesus is known. Everybody follows Him. This publicity pleases the disciples. They go to look for Jesus to take Him back to the people who were seeking for Him, and they tell Him: “All are looking for You.” They thought that Jesus would go to the banquet. They were disillusioned! Jesus does not pay attention and tells them: “Let us go elsewhere. It is precisely for this that I have come!” Surely, they must have been surprised! Jesus was not like what they had imagined Him to be. Jesus had a very clear conscience of the mission and wants to transmit this to the disciples. He does not want them to close themselves up in the results already obtained. They should not look back. But, like Jesus, they should maintain conscious of their mission. It is the mission received from the Father, which has to orientate their decisions.
• It is precisely for this that I have come! This was the first misunderstanding between Jesus and His disciples. At present, it is only a question of a small difference. Later on, in the Gospel of Mark, this misunderstanding will grow and will practically become a break between Jesus and the disciples (cf. Mk 8:14-21,32-33; 9:32; 14:27). Today, there are some misunderstandings along the way in the proclaiming the Good News. Mark helps one to be attentive to the differences.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve. Peter’s
mother-in-law began to serve. Do I act in such a way that my life is a service
to God and to my brothers and sisters?
• Jesus is conscious and aware of His mission through prayer. Am I?
• Jesus is conscious and aware of His mission through prayer. Am I?
5) Concluding prayer
Sing to Yahweh, bless His name!
Proclaim His salvation day after day,
declare His glory among the nations,
His marvels to every people! (Ps 96:2-3)
Proclaim His salvation day after day,
declare His glory among the nations,
His marvels to every people! (Ps 96:2-3)
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