February 9, 2014

5th Sunday Ordinary

February 9, 2014:  5th Sunday, Ordinary Time

Readings

 Wordle: Readings 2-9-14
  • Is 58:7-10  Share your bread, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, and help your own.  Your light shall break forth.  God will help you; you'll be healed and vindicated.
  • Ps 112:4-9  "The just man is a light in darkness to the upright."  The just and steadfast who are gracious, lend, and give to the poor need not fear and will be remembered.
  • 1 Cor 2:1-5  I came in weakness and trembling, knowing only Jesus Christ and him crucified.  I demonstrated Spirit and power so your faith might rest on God's power.
  • Mt 5:13-16  “You are the salt of the earth.  But if salt loses its taste, what good is it?  You are the light of the world.  Shine your light, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father.”
Pope Francis
  • Angelus:  Jesus said “You are the salt of the earth... the light of the world” to simple fishermen; he saw them with God's eyes.  The words are right after the Beatitudes and are a consequence:  If we're poor in spirit, meek, pure of heart, merciful..., we'll be that salt and light and with faith and love make humanity fruitful.  We're missionary disciples, called to be a living Gospel.  If we lose our savor, if our light goes out, our presence loses its efficacy.  Do you want to be burning lamps, bearing Christ's light, or spent lamps?
Tuesday is the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick.  Put the sick at the center of the community, pray for and with them, and be close to them, imitating Jesus who cared for all, shared their sufferings, and opened hearts to hope.  A person's dignity can't be reduced to capabilities and isn't lessened by weakness, disability, or need.  Help one another with love, and feel God's consolation.  The generous attitude toward the sick is the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  Go forward with the light of Jesus!
Social dialogue in a context of religious freedom:  Religious freedom is a fundamental human right.  Healthy pluralism respects and values differences; it doesn’t privatize religions to reduce them to the obscurity of individual conscience or to relegate them to buildings.  Agnostics and non-believers should be respected, but so should believers. 
Religion is practiced in different ways.  Some generalize crudely about shortcomings, not realizing believers differ; some justify discrimination from the confusion.  Some show contempt for writings reflecting religious convictions, but religious classics have proved meaningful in every age.  Writings that arise in a context of belief include humanistic principles of great value. 
We feel close to those who don’t consider themselves part of any religious tradition, yet seek truth, goodness, and beauty; they’re allies in defending human dignity, building peace, and protecting creation.  Demonstrate the social dimension of the Gospel in word, attitude, and deed. (4.IV, 255-58, pp. 190-92)
Reflections
    • Creighton:  Paul's weakness is Jesus’ weakness. What's my weakness that in faith is strength?
    • One Bread One Body:  Disciples are salt of the earth, good taste for those hungry for God.  Don't go flat!
    • Passionist:   The Beatitudes, building on Isaiah, tell us how to live, looking to a future of energy, hope, and suffering.  Disciples living them bring Christ the Light to the world. / Paul, discouraged after his unsuccessful preaching in Athens, says human wisdom isn't enough. 
    Music
    Apparel
    • All clothing:  clothe the naked (1st reading)
    • Wheat pin:  share your bread with the hungry (1st reading)
    •  "Penny" pin:  give lavishly to the poor (psalm)
    • "Keyboard with dove" tie pin:  the Spirit and power (2nd reading)
    • Crucifix:  Paul only knew Christ crucified (2nd reading)
    • "Suns" tie:  "You are the light of the world" (gospel)
      Green in socks:  Ordinary Time (season)




    Dress your life!


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