January 11

January 11, 2014:  Saturday after Epiphany

Readings

• 1 Jn 5:14-21  We're confident that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us and it's ours.  If you see your brother sinning, pray and he will give him life.  God protects those begotten by him.  We belong to God, but the world is under the Evil One.  God's Son has given us discernment to know who is true.  We are in Jesus Christ, true God and eternal life.  Be on your guard against idols.

• Ps 149:1-6a, 9b  "The Lord takes delight in his people."  Sing to God a song of praise.  The Lord loves his people and adorns the lowly with victory.

• Jn 3:22-30  Jesus, his disciples, and John were baptizing.  “John, [Jesus] to whom you testified is baptizing.”  John:  “We can only receive what has been given from heaven.   I said I am not the Christ but was sent before him.  My joy has been made complete.  He must increase; I must decrease.”

Pope Francis

• Gospel Joy (Evangelii Gaudium drill-down), resuming Chapter 3 (a series):

Personalizing the Word:  Develop personal familiarity with God’s word beyond language and exegesis; desire to hear it, and approach it prayerfully so it may resonate in you and give you a new outlook.  Your holiness affects your proclamation.  Let God’s word move you and take flesh in your daily life. People prefer a witness speaking of a God he’s familiar with.

Keep growing; don’t grow slack. Know God loves you, Jesus saved you, and his love has the last word.  Acknowledge your poverty, desire to respond to such great love, open your heart to God’s word, pray with it, and allow it to touch, challenge, and impel you.  Abandon yourself to Christ.  If you let the Holy Spirit possess and lead you, the Spirit will act in you.  (3.III, 149-151, pp. 118-121) 

Reflections

• Creighton:  Discernment is a commitment to follow Jesus.  Decisions take time, prayer, attention, and silence.

• RC.net:   John describes Jesus as the Bridegroom and himself as his friend; he rejoiced that the Bridegroom has come to make his bride, God's people, ready for the feast. Do I look forward to the consummation of God's plan?

• Sacred Space

Music for Epiphany (subseason), thanks to Cardiphonia

• Break forth, O beauteous heavenly Light (sheet music, about)

• Jesus came, the heavens adoring, about Jesus' multiple comings (sheet music)

• Alleluia (Jesus came, the heavens adore him), also about multiple comings (sheet music)

• Jesus, the Light of the World (borrows from Hark...) (sheet music)

• They came bearing gifts (sheet music)

• When Christ’s appearing was made known (sheet music)

Roamin' Catholic report

I attended a memorial; my heart goes out to the family and other loved ones.  As for the Mass, the homily (thanks, Deacon) was about the readings and the dearly departed, and the eulogy after Communion (thanks, daughter) was wonderful.  There was an opening song, sung ressponsorial psalm, Alleluia, Holy, Mystery of Faith, Amen, and Lamb of God, solos at Preparation of the Gifts and Communion, and bagpipes at the end.  Though assembly singing was not strong, kudos to the family and planners for having a participative Mass.

Apparel

• "Star" tie pin:  star guiding the magi (Epiphany gospel)

• Christmas sweater and pin (under sweater):  It's Christmas till tomorrow!

Dress your life!

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