February 28

February 28, 2014:  Friday, 7th week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Jas 5:9-12  Don't complain about one another.  Take the prophets as examples of hardship and patience.  Those who have persevered are blessed.  Don't swear; let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” “No.” 

• Ps 103:1-4, 8-12  "The Lord is kind and merciful."  Bless the Lord who pardons, heals, redeems, and crowns you.  He shows surpassing kindness and has put our transgressions far from us.

• Mk 10:1-12  Pharisees / Jesus:  “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?  Moses permitted it.”  “A man shall leave his parents and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one.  What God has joined, no one must separate.”

Pope Francis

• Homily:  Jesus explained why Moses framed the Law as he did but didn't stop there; he went to the masterpiece of Creation:  ‘God made them male and female, so a man shall... be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’  God didn't want the man to be alone but to be with his companion; God blessed Creation with love in Christian marriage.  How beautiful are love, marriage, the family, and the journey, and how much love must we have, how close must we be to those who've had a failure in love.  When love fails, don't condemn; feel the pain and walk with the people.

The Lord chose marriage to explain his love:  when the people is unfaithful, God speaks to them with love.  Paul explains the mystery of Christ as a relationship:  as the Father married the People of Israel, Christ married His people, the Church.  This is the love story.

Reflections

• Creighton:  The sacrament of marriage bestows grace throughout married life.  Sacramental married love is characterized by loyalty, fidelity, and commitment.  Marriage reflects, represents, and realizes God’s constant, faithful, unconditional, everlasting love.  By living out the sacrament, the couple gives witness to God's love. 

• One Bread One Body:  Jesus hates divorce but loves the divorced.

• Passionist:  Stop grumbling and show more tolerance.  We can forget God is kind and merciful and Giver of all good gifts.

• Universalis:   St. Oswald, monk, bishop, lover of the poor

• Sacred Space

Music

• The Lord is kind and merciful/El Senor es compasivo/ Haugen (psalm)
• Bless the Lord (psalm)
• More Psalm 103 settings:  Feb. 23
• Patience, People/ Foley (1st reading, including "grumbling" verse, though usually for Advent)
• Patience/ Guns 'n' Roses (1st reading)
• When love is found/ Cotter (gospel) (to O Waly Waly tune)

Apparel

• "Grandfather clock" tie bar:  prophets' example of patience (1st reading)

• Black and white (in suspenders, shirt, slacks):  let your "Yes" mean yes and "No" no (1st reading)

• "Crowns" tie:  The Lord crowns you with kindness and compassion (psalm)

• "Two linked jewels" tie bar:  "the two shall become one" (gospel)

Dress your life!

Please comment below

February 27

February 27, 2014:  Thursday, 7th week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Jas 5:1-6  You rich, wail over your impending miseries.  The wages you withheld are crying out; the cries  have reached the Lord.  You've murdered the righteous one.

• Ps 49:14-20  "Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!"  Fear not when one grows rich; when he dies, he'll take none of it.  God will redeem me.

• Mk 9:41-50  Anyone who gives you water because you belong to me won't lose his reward.  If your hand, foot, or eye causes you to sin, cut it off; better to live without it than be thrown into the fire.  Keep salt in yourselves and you'll have peace with each other.

Pope Francis

• Homily at today's Confirmation Mass:  The confirmed manifest desire to be Christian, to bear witness to Christ, to think, feel, and act Christian.  If one of these things is missing, it's wrong; Christians living in inconsistency/incoherence do harm.  James says, ‘The wages you withheld are crying out.’  Inconsistency gives scandal, and scandal kills.  When people say, ‘I don't believe in the Church; you say one thing and do another,’ it's about inconsistency.  When in atheists' presence you bear witness of Christian life (vs. arguing for God's existence), something works in their hearts, a restlessness on which the Spirit works.  Consistency is a grace; pray for it.  When we fall, let's humbly ask for forgiveness; he never tires of forgiving!  Live in Christian coherence, the witness of believers who know they're sinners and ask for forgiveness.

• To Focolare bishops:  Society needs witness of life showing love of one another.  Reciprocal love among Christians is a powerful evangelizing tool; people who realize it's possible and can transform relationships feel drawn to [re]discover Christ and to be involved in the Church.  Make the Church the home and school of communion.

Reflections

• Creighton:  What do we love?  Works of justice are a harder sell than works of mercy.

• One Bread One Body:  Go to extremes to resist temptation.

• Sacred Space

Music

• Doers of the word/ Peek (1st reading, homily) 
• The Beatitudes/ Pärt (psalm)
• Beatitudes Orthodox chant (psalm)
• You are blessed/ Collins, Hoffman (psalm)
• See yesterday for more "beatitunes"

Apparel

• Gold- and silver-colored accessories:  "your gold and silver are corroded" (1st reading)

• Scales pin:  your injustice cries out to God (1st reading)

• Sheep tie bar:  "like sheep they're herded into the nether world" (psalm)

• Stone tie pin:  it would be better if a millstone were put around the neck of one who causes others to sin (gospel)

• "Eyeball" tie pin:  if your eye causes you to sin... (gospel)

• "Hands" tie:  if your hand causes you to sin... (gospel)

• Shot-putter (bowler?) tie pin (feet visible):  if your foot causes you to sin... (gospel)

• "Peace sign" tie bar:  keep salt... and you'll have peace (gospel)

• Blue shirt:  whoever gives you water will be rewarded (gospel)

• Green in suspenders:  Ordinary Time (season)

Dress your life!

Please comment below

February 26

February 26, 2014:  Wednesday, 7th week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Jas 4:13-17  You're a puff of smoke; you have no idea about tomorrow.  Say, “if God wills, we'll live...”  It's a sin to know the right thing to do and not do it.

• Ps 49:2-3, 6-11  "Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!"  Nobody can redeem himself; the wise and stupid all die.

• Mk 9:38-40  John / Jesus, “We tried to prevent someone from driving out demons in your name because he doesn't follow us.” / “Don't; whoever isn't against us is for us.”

Pope Francis

• Angelus:  Anointing of the Sick expresses God’s merciful presence to the sick, suffering, and aged.  Our Lord has tender concern for those who suffer; through this anointing, the Church brings them God’s healing presence and accompanies us in facing suffering and death.  In a culture that often refuses to speak of these realities, recognize the beauty of this sacrament and appreciate the presence of the Lord Jesus, who strengthens us in faith and hope, and reminds us that nothing can separate us from his saving love.

Reflections

• Creighton:  Trust in Jesus’ presence and care; don't worry about control.

• One Bread One Body:  Life is a gift; live in/for the present. 

• Passionist:  Let's not choose sides or judge but rather work together for justice and peace. 

• Universalis:  St. Alexander of Alexandria, bishop, catechist, fought Arianism.

• Sacred Space

Music for psalm/beatitudes; note the variety

• The Beatitudes/ Pärt
• The Beatitudes/ Martynov
• Blest are they/ Haas
• Beatitudes/ Ducote, 1973 (sample sheet music)
• Beatitudes (Russian Orthodox chant)
• You are blessed/ Collins, Hoffman
• Beatitudes Song/ Rachap

Apparel

• Car tie pin:  "driving" out demons (gospel)

• "Catcher's mitt" tie pin: "Throw your cares on the Lord" (Tuesday psalm) [debuted yesterday; I still need the reminder]

Dress your life!

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February 25

February 25, 2014:  Tuesday, 7th week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Jas 4:1-10  Loving the world means enmity with God.  God gives grace to the humble.  Submit yourselves to God; draw near.  Cleanse your hands and hearts.  Humble yourselves before God, and he will exalt you.

• Ps 55:7-11a, 23  "Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you."  If I had wings, I'd fly far away and wait for him.

• Mk 9:30-37  They didn't understand “The Son of Man is to be handed over, be killed, and rise.”  As they discussed who was the greatest, Jesus told the Twelve, “To be first, be the last and servant of all....  Whoever receives a child in my name, receives me and the One who sent me.”

Pope Francis

• Homily:  We read so much about war, we can be dulled to its victims.  Contrast starving children in refugee camps with the parties of those who control the arms industry.  There are wars everywhere; entire peoples are divided, killing each other over land, racial hatred, or ambition.  But war, hatred, and hostility, drawing us away from God, are right here, in our own hearts.  “Draw near to God and He'll draw near to you.”  “Recognize your misery” that breeds war within families, neighborhoods, and everywhere.  Weep and mourn when we read of war and see the dead on TV.  Pray for peace.

• To families about October Synod on Family in context of evangelization:  The Church is called to confront pastoral needs facing the family.  The meeting will involve all People of God; your support is significant and necessary.  The assembly is dedicated to you and your mission; to the challenges of marriage, family, and education.  Pray that the Holy Spirit may guide us and that the Church will help families with Gospel light and strength; your prayer will be a treasure and enrich the Church.

The Presentation brought Jesus' young parents and elderly Simeon and Anna together to acknowledge Jesus.  Jesus brings together and unites generations, overcoming self-absorption, solitude, and sadness.  He offers authentic love, joy, his word to light our path, and the Bread of life to sustain us.

• To SIGNIS World Congress 2014, "Media for a Culture of peace: Creating Images with the New Generation":  In a world in which new cultures, languages, and symbols, are constantly being born, and new imagination is emerging, present the wisdom, truth, and beauty of the Gospel to touch minds and hearts thirsting for meaning and direction.

Reflections

• Creighton:  People still disregard big issues and squabble over who's most important and other details.  To love God, love people, especially the poor.

• Passionist:  In the gospel the apostles show the "jealousy and selfish ambition" of the first reading.  May our ambition be for the Kingdom, following Jesus in the Holy Spirit.

• Universalis:  St. Ethelbert, king, convert; Bl. Maria Adeodata Pisani, religious

• Sacred Space

Music

• Fly like a bird/ Canedo (psalm) [Vietnamese; English lyrics]
• Cast your cares/ Seeds Family Worship (psalm)
• Cast your cares/ Oliver (psalm)

Apparel

• Question mark tie pin:  "You ask wrongly" (1st reading)

• "Hands" tie:  "Cleanse your hands" (1st reading); "Son is to be handed over" (gospel)

• "Keyboard with dove" tie pin:  “Had I but wings like a dove..." (psalm)

• "Catcher's mitt" tie pin:  "Throw your cares on the Lord" (psalm)

• "Children" pin:  "Whoever receives a child receives me" (gospel)

Dress your life!

Please comment below

February 24

February 24, 2014:  Monday, 7th week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Jas 3:13-18  If you're wise, show your works by a good life, but if you're jealous and ambitious, don't boast.  True wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, sincere, and full of mercy and good fruits.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who sow peace.

• Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15  "The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart."  God's law is perfect, just, true, refreshing, giving wisdom, enlightening, enduring.

• Mk 9:14-29  “Teacher, here's my son, foaming at the mouth, possessed by a spirit your disciples couldn't drive out.” / “Everything is possible to one with faith.” / “I believe; help my unbelief!”  He drove the spirit out and raised the boy.  To disciples:  “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

Pope Francis

• Homily:  Jesus lowered himself and took up the boy.  When Jesus heals, he never leaves you alone; he makes sure you get home safely.  Jesus is the Son of a People; every healing, every pardon, helps us return to our People, the Church.  We can't understand Jesus without the People of God; we can't love, feel, or follow Christ without the Church.  Christ and the Church are united; when he calls, he brings to the Church.  Jesus’ tenderness make us realize our discipleship is constant abiding at home, and though we leave home for sin, we return home with Jesus in the Church.

Reflections

• Creighton:  Make time for what matters; building and keeping important relationships takes time and trust. 

• One Bread One Body:  We need to have faith for ourselves, and often for our families and others.

• Passionist:  Life's problems can only be dealt with in prayer.  'Prayer' (προσευχή) and 'pray' (προσεύχομαι) are used 129 times in the New Testament; their origin is 'desire'.  To pray, I must desire God and God me.  God made the first move; I must respond.  Prayer is the embrace of two desires.

• Sacred Space

Music

• The harvest of justice/ Marchionda (includes audio sample) (1st reading)

Apparel

• "Owl" tie pin:  wisdom (1st reading)

• "Fruit" pin:  wisdom is full of good fruits (1st reading)

Oops; forgot to put this on

• "Scales of justice" tie, "peace sign" tie bar:  the fruit of justice is sown in peace (1st reading)

• "Kneeling person" tie bar:  this kind can only be driven out through prayer (gospel)

Dress your life!

Please comment below

7th Sunday Ordinary

February 23, 2014:  7th Sunday, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Lv 19:1-2, 17-18  Be holy, for I, the Lord, am holy.  Don't bear hatred in your heart.  Cherish no grudge.  Love your neighbor as yourself.

• Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13  "The Lord is kind and merciful."  Bless the Lord who pardons, redeems, heals, shows compassion and mercy.

• 1 Cor 3:16-23  You're God's holy temple; the Spirit dwells in you.  If you consider yourself wise, become a fool; the world's wisdom is foolishness to God.  Don't boast about people; we belong to you, you to Christ, and Christ to God.

• Mt 5:38-48  You've  heard, Eye for eye and tooth for tooth, but I tell you, Offer the wicked no resistance.  Turn the other cheek.  Hand over your cloak. Go an extra mile.  Give and lend.  You've heard, Love your neighbor, but I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors, that you may be your Father's children.  Be perfect like your Father.

Pope Francis

• Homily:  God calls us to “be holy” and “be perfect.”  Holiness is the fruit of docility to the Spirit who can transform us and support our witness.  Don't repay others the evil they've done us, and seek to do good to them.  Love those who don't deserve it, and fill the emptiness in hearts, relationships, families, communities, and the world.  Mercy is the only way out of sin.  You are God’s holy temple; celebrate in it the liturgy of goodness, forgiveness, service, and love.  When the least of our brothers and sisters find a place in our hearts, God finds a place there.  A heart without love is like a church withdrawn from God’s service.

• Angelus:  Work for Christian unity; communities belong to Christ, not preachers.  Through baptism we all have the dignity of God's children.  Unity in Christ is more important than conflict.

• Yesterday's homily with new Cardinals:  Jesus is walking ahead of us, leading the way; our joy is to follow him.  In the gospel Jesus is often walking, teaching along the way.   He didn't teach philosophy but a way; we learn by walking with Jesus.  It's not comfortable because he chose the way of the Cross.  We know the Cross is our hope, but as humans we can fear it and become indignant like Peter.  Along the way, Jesus stops and calls the apostles to himself.  Allow Jesus to call us to himself; listen and become more of one heart and soul, gathered around him.

Reflections

• Creighton:  It’s the little things.  Pay attention to details; God is in them.  I can turn the other cheek and love my enemies every day.

• One Bread One Body:  Don't think the Sermon on the Mount as symbolic; Jesus literally turned the other cheek, handing over his garments and walking the extra mile to be crucified.  Will I imitate the crucified Christ?

• Passionist:  I need grace and the Spirit to live all this out.

• Universalis:  St. Polycarp, bishop, martyr. patristic writer

• Sacred Space

Music

• The Lord is kind and merciful/ Haas (psalm)
• The Lord is kind and merciful/El Senor es compasivo/ Haugen (psalm)
• Bless the Lord, from Godspell/ Schwartz (movie version) (psalm)
• Bless the Lord (psalm)
• Know ye not (ye are the Temple) (search for title) (2nd reading)
• It's the small things/ Troccoli

Apparel

• "Keyboard with dove" tie pin: the Spirit dwells in you (2nd reading)

• Owl tie pin:  the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God (2nd reading)

• Eyeball tie pin: no longer "an eye for an eye" (gospel)

• Suns tie:  Father makes sun rise on the bad and the good (gospel)

• Red shirt (and suspenders) in honor of the new Cardinals (though they no longer receive "red hats")

Dress your life!

Please comment below

Chair of Peter

February 22, 2014:  Chair of Peter, Apostle

Readings

• 1 Pt 5:1-4  Presbyters, tend God's flock in your midst, overseeing willingly and eagerly.  Be examples.  When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you'll receive the crown of glory.

• Ps 23:1-3a, 4-6  "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want."  I fear no evil; you give me courage.  Goodness and kindness follow me; I shall dwell in the Lord's house.

• Mt 16:13-19  Jesus / disciples:  “Who do they say the Son of Man is?” / “John the Baptist, Elijah,... a prophet.” / “Who do you say I am?”  Peter:  “The Christ.” / “My Father revealed this.  You are Peter; upon this rock I'll build my Church.  I'll give you the keys to the Kingdom.  What you bind/loose on earth shall be bound/loosed in heaven.”

Pope Francis

• At end of symposium on Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (12-4-1963):   We're grateful for the deep and wide renewal of liturgical life and inspired to implement it more fully.  We understand liturgy better as Christ's work in which his body (head and members) worships.  This action, in the power of the Holy Spirit, can attract every person and all Creation.  True worship is offering oneself as a living sacrifice to God; liturgy detached from that becomes hollow.  Liturgy wants to be transformed in Christ and so transfigure all reality.  Our daily life must be action with God, inspired by and immersed in God.  The reality of God must penetrate us so our life may be a liturgy, adoration.  Much remains for correct and complete assimilation of the Constitution, especially commitment to solid liturgical formation of laypeople, religious, and clergy.

• To Pentecostal conference:  The heart's language is simple and authentic; its grammar has two rules:  love God above all, and love the other.  Your conference brings me joy in knowing you came together to worship Christ our Lord, and longing for Christian unity.  I'm your brother; let's encounter each other as brothers and allow our longing to grow.  Pray for me.

• To new cardinals:  Your office is one of service and sacrifice.  Proclaim the Gospel; bear witness to truth.  Pray for Christ’s flock; prayer, with proclamation of the Word, is your primary task.  Pray especially for suffering peoples, and express their closeness to the Church and to all suffering from discrimination and persecution.  Be peacemakers, building peace by word, hope, and prayer.

Reflections

• Creighton:  This feast celebrates the spiritual authority of the one called to exercise Peter's role in the church—from Peter through Pope Francis.  Jesus told his apostles, “Be a servant, slave of all.  The Son came to serve and give his life.”  We who exercise authority in a community—as pastoral ministers, parents, teachers, clergy, religious...—are called to exercise authority in the same way, to guide, nurture, and serve.

• One Bread One Body:  When we renew our baptismal promises, we acknowledge we were baptized into one body, the Church. In baptism, we committed to remain faithful.  We must pray for, support, serve, and obey the Church.  Do I love the Church, even when it seems unlovable?  Am I willing to lay down my life for her?

• Passionist:  You have a flock to tend right here, in your home, workplace, neighborhood, parish...

• Universalis:  St. Peter's Chair, signifying the unity of the Church founded upon the Apostles.

• About "binding and loosing" (gospel, original in future perfect despite English translations), linked to Sacrament of Reconciliation, see my August 14 post, including exegetical links, related speculations [Bonus:  links to online resources for comparing and exploring original and translated Bible texts]

• Sacred Space

Music

• The Lord is my Shepherd/ Rutter (psalm)
• Shepherd me, O God/ Haugen (psalm)
• Psalm 23 (Byzantine chant in English) (psalm)
• Who do you say that I am?/ Boosahda (gospel)

Apparel

• "Knot with two jewels" tie bar:  jewels for earth and heaven, knot for bind/loose "syncing" (gospel)

• White shirt:  color of the feastday

• Music tie and suspenders, [faint] keyboard T-shirt:  Huffington Ecumenical Institute with liturgical music sessions (music in today's Church, inculturation, Byzantine chant in English), Panikhida service, and Cappella Romana concert

Dress your life!

Please comment below

February 21

February 21, 2014:  Friday, 6th week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Jas 2:14-24, 26  What good is it if you say you have faith but don't have works?  Faith without works is dead.

• Ps 112:1-6  "Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands."

• Mk 8:34-9:1  “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  Whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel's will save it.  What profit is there for you to gain the world and forfeit your life?”

Pope Francis

• Homily:  Faith without fruit in works is not faith; commandments, prophecies, and truths of faith not put into practice/work are useless.  Faith and witness are inseparable; faith is an encounter with God, and it brings you to witness.  A faith without works—that doesn't involve one’s whole self and lead to witness—is just words, not faith.

Reflections

• Creighton:  Faith fuels good works.  Good works are the manifestation of our belief in and love for God.  Loving others is the way to love God and to live faith.  Our mission should involve doing good for those who need it most.  Go forth in love and sacrifice.

• Passionist:  We can witness faith spelled out in works, including James's own martyrdom.  Faith becomes evident in works, and works can be indicative of faith.  Salvation comes by the way I live.

• Universalis:  St. Peter Damian, teacher, hermit, reformer, cardinal.  St. Robert Southwell, Jesuit priest, poet, martyr at 33.  Read his poems here. 

• Sacred Space

Music

• If you belong to me/ Hurd (gospel)

Apparel

• Crucifix:  deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me (gospel)

• Music tie:  Huffington Ecumenical Institute with sessions on liturgical music composition, performance, and evaluation

• Green shirt and suspenders:  Ordinary Time (season)

Dress your life!

Please comment below

February 20

February 20, 2014:  Thursday, 6th week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Jas 2:1-9  Show no partiality; don't treat the rich better than the poor.  God chose the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom!  If you love your neighbor as yourself, you're doing well.

• Ps 34:2-7  "The Lord hears the cry of the poor."  Glorify the Lord with me.  Look to him and be radiant.

• Mk 8:27-33  Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” then “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter replied, “The Christ.”  Jesus then taught that the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected and killed, and rise.  Peter rebuked him, and he rebuked Peter:  “Get behind me; you're thinking not as God but as a human being.”

Pope Francis

• Message to Pontifical Academy for Life:  Aging and disability is an issue dear to the Church.  Our society promotes a throwaway culture; we exclude and kill, and the elderly, sick, disabled, and vulnerable can be targets/victims.  The excluded are considered waste or leftovers.  Health is important but shouldn't determine a person's value or be grounds for exclusion/elimination.  The worst deprivation the elderly suffer is abandonment, exclusion, and deprivation of love.  In the family we learn to care for others and that health is no reason to discriminate.  Advocate for the elderly, and recognize that life is valuable even in old age, disability, disease, and near death, and that suffering is a gift that calls us to solidarity and responsibility.  [Dr. Haas (US National Catholic Bioethics Center, Pontifical Council for Life):  The pope's theology of compassion and accompaniment is fundamental when facing these grave problems, questions about treatment and end-of-life decisions.  The Church is concerned about protecting, preserving, and promoting the person.  In a society not supporting the elderly enough, life can be compromised, even discarded, but we bring uncompromising commitment to human dignity.]

• Today's homily:  Peter showed courage in responding “You are the Christ” but then rebuked Jesus.  When Jesus asks us, “Who am I for you?,” study and understanding aren't enough; we need to take the journey Peter took, then go forward with Jesus, seeing his miracles and power, perhaps betraying him, weeping, asking forgiveness, and returning.  “Who am I for you?” is only understood on a disciple's path of grace and sin.  Jesus said, “Follow me”, not “Know me”; following Jesus makes us know him.  It takes daily encounter with God, in triumph and weakness.  We can't make the journey on our own; we need the Holy Spirit to work in us and explain the mystery.  Ask the Father for the grace to know Christ.

• Wednesday audience:  Through the Sacraments of Initiation, we receive new life in Christ.  We can lose this new life through sin, but Jesus willed that the Church continue his work of salvation through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Forgiveness is not from our efforts but is the gift of the Spirit reconciling us to God and each other.  The Sacrament is both personal and rooted in the Church community.  The priest represents not only God but also the Church accompanying us on the path of conversion.  We may be tempted to dismiss this Sacrament, maybe from a diminishing sense of sin and its effects.  When we see ourselves at the center, our lives go adrift, but Reconciliation calls us back to God and embraces us with his mercy and joy.  

• Tuesday homily:  Temptation—from our passions, our weakness, the wounds of original sin—seems harmless but becomes a cage.  It grows and is contagious, looking for company and so closing us into an environment we can’t easily escape; we don't hear God or see ahead.  It closes horizons and so leads to sin.  Only God's Word can save us:  he shows us how to escape and gives us confidence; he trusts and waits for us and opens horizons, while the devil closes.  Heeding God's Word will save us from giving in:  ‘Stop; look at the horizon.  Don't close in on yourself; go forward.’

Reflections

• Creighton:  How do I answer “Who do you say I am?”  Do I show partiality based on appearance, perceived intelligence, or charm and so miss seeing God?

• One Bread One Body:  Peter wanted a cross-free Christianity but eventually repented and was himself crucified.

• Passionist:  As Peter's model didn't accommodate Jesus, we too think as human beings. Our suffering can teach us about our world, ourselves, and God.

• Sacred Space

Music

• Who do you say that I am?/ Boosahda

• The cry of the poor/ Foley

Apparel

• "Scales" pin:  don't make distinctions (1st reading)

• "Question mark" tie pin:  Jesus' two questions (gospel), James's rhetorical questions (1st reading)

• Crucifix:  "the Son must... be killed" (gospel)

Dress your life!

Please comment below

February 19

February 19, 2014:  Wednesday, 6th week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Jas 1:19-27  Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.  Put away filth and excess and welcome the word that can save you.  Be doers of the word.  Bridle your tongue.  Care for orphans and widows; stay unstained.

• Ps 15:2-3-4ab, 5  "Who shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord?"  He who walks blamelessly and does justice...

• Mk 8:22-26  People begged Jesus to touch a blind man.  He put spittle on his eyes, laid his hands on him, and asked what he saw.  “People like walking trees.” He laid hands on him again and restored his sight.

Pope Francis

• Gospel Joy (Evangelii Gaudium drill-down), concluding the series:

Mary, star of the new evangelization:  There is a Marian style to the Church’s work of evangelization.  love, justice, tenderness, humility, contemplation, prayer, work recognizing God’s Spirit, service.  May the Church may become a home and mother for all peoples and so be opened to a new world.  Christ makes all things new.  We pray:

Mary, who welcomed and gave yourself to God, help us to say “yes” to the call to proclaim the good news.  You brought joy to John the Baptist, sang of God's great deeds, stood at the cross, received comfort at the resurrection, and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit so the evangelizing Church might be born.  Obtain for us a new ardor, that we may bring to all the Gospel of life.  Give us courage to seek new paths.  Pray that the Church may never be closed in or lose passion for establishing God’s kingdom.  Help us bear witness to communion, service, faith, justice, and love of the poor, that Gospel joy may reach to the ends of the earth.  Mother of the living Gospel, pray for us.  Amen.  Alleluia!  (5.II, 288, pp. 215-19)

Reflections

• Creighton:  Be quick to hear; noise can keep us out of touch with God.  Then do.

• One Bread One Body:  Let Jesus lay hands on us again to restore our spiritual sight.

• Passionist:  Anger can overtake us.  How do I relate/interact with others and resolve conflicts?

• Sacred Space

Music

• Doers of the word/ Peek [also on Horse with no name...] (1st reading) 
• They who do justice/ Haas (psalm)
• They who do justice/ Hurd audio sample (psalm)
• Open my eyes/ Manibusan (gospel)
• Amazing grace/ Newton (gospel) [the top YouTube results have some 195 million views]

Apparel

• Roadrunner tie pin:  "be quick to hear" (1st reading)

• "People working" tie:  "be doers of the word" (1st reading)

• Eyeball tie pin:  "he put spittle on his eyes" (gospel)

• Tree pin:   "I see people looking like trees walking" (gospel)

• "Blessed Mother blue" shirt:  Mary, Star of the New Evangelization (Gospel Joy excerpt)

Dress your life!

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