January 9

January 9, 2014:  Thursday after Epiphany

Readings

• 1 Jn 4:19-5:4  One who claims to love God but hates his brother is a liar.  Loving God is keeping his commandments.  Whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.

• Ps 72:1-2, 14, 15bc, 17  "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."

• Lk 4:14-22  Jesus went into the synagogue, stood to read, was handed a scroll of Isaiah, and read "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor...."  He handed it back and told them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  All were amazed.

Pope Francis

• Homily:  Christian love is concrete:  when Jesus spoke of love, he spoke about concrete things like feeding the hungry and visiting the sick.  Love with deeds, not words, and giving is more important than receiving.  The one who loves, gives—gives things, gives life, gives oneself to God and to others.  Keep your heart open, remaining in God and God remaining in us; remaining in love.

• World Day of Peace message (conclusion):  

Only love enables fraternity to be discovered, loved, experienced, proclaimed and witnessed to.  Politics and the economy must be based on fraternal charity and help human development and peace.  Our relationships must be marked by reciprocity, forgiveness, and self-giving, listening to others' suffering, and walking the path of self-giving love.

Jesus Christ embraces all and wants everyone saved; he came as one who serves.  Our activities must be in service to persons, especially those furthest away.   Service is the soul of fraternity and builds peace.  May Mary, Mother of Jesus, help us understand and live the fraternity that springs up from her Son, and so bring peace to all. 

Reflections

• Creighton:  The commandments sometimes present challenges for us.  We may fail to love someone because we can't see beyond what bothers us.  We need God to return us to love and calibrate our sight.

• RC.net:   Jesus proclamation fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah brought wonder; he awakened hope in God's promises.  Their hearts were hungry for God's word.  Are ours?

• Universalis:  St. Adrian of Canterbury, Benedictine abbot, missionary

• Sacred Space

Music

• How suddenly a baby cries/ Getty & Getty:  lyrics and composers' story, analysis; tune is upbeat arrangement of Kingsfold (also used for "I heard the voice of Jesus say" and "O sing a song of Bethlehem"); Vox Dilecti works too (Epiphany season)

• We've a story to tell to the nations/ Nichol (at the Crystal Cathedral, now being remodeled as Christ Cathedral) (season)

• Brightest and best of the sons of the morning/ Heber (lyrics) (season)

• Three kings from Persian lands afar/ Cornelius (lyrics and sheet music)

• Psalm 72: Every nation on earth will adore You/ Haas (the one you're likely to hear in church) (psalm)

Apparel

• "Hearts" suspenders:  love one another (1st reading)

• "Books" tie:  Jesus read from scroll (gospel)

• Keyboard tie pin with dove:  Spirit of the Lord (gospel)

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

• "Peace sign" tie bar:  peace shall flourish (Epiphany psalm); Pope's peace message

• Christmas pin:  It's Christmas till Jan. 12!

Dress your life!

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