February 1
February 1, 2014: Saturday, 3rd Week, Ordinary Time
Readings
- 2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17 Nathan / David: “A rich man took a poor man's ewe to cook for his guest.” / “He deserves to die.” / “You are the man! God says the sword shall never depart from you because you took Uriah's wife.” / “I have sinned.” / “The Lord has forgiven you, but the child must die.” The child became desperately ill, and David begged God for him.
- Ps 51:12-17 "Create a clean heart in me, O God." Give me back the joy of your salvation. Open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
- Mk 4:35-41 A squall filled a boat with water while Jesus was asleep. The disciples woke him, he rebuked the wind, calm ensued, and he asked, “Why are you terrified? Where's your faith?” They wondered, “Who is he whom even wind and sea obey?”
Pope Francis
- To Neocatechumenal Way: Build and preserve communion within the particular Churches where you'll work, walking together under their pastors' guidance to enhance their riches. Remember the Spirit gets there before you. Pay attention to cultural context; learn the culture, recognize the Spirit's action in their history and their need for the Gospel. Care for each other, especially the weakest, showing patience and mercy. Bring the Gospel everywhere: with love, bring everyone God's love; tell them God loves them as they are and sent his Son to take all our sins upon himself. Be messengers and witnesses of God's goodness and mercy. Learn from Mary our Mother to be zealous, joyful missionaries; may she inspire and sustain you.
Unity prevails over conflict: Face conflict; don’t overlook it or let it trap you lest you lose grip on reality. Make peace amid disagreement by going beyond the surface and seeing others in their deepest dignity, acknowledging that unity is greater than conflict. Solidarity can turn tension and opposition to diversified and lifegiving unity, not absorption into the other but rather resolution on a higher plane preserving what’s valid and useful on both sides.
Christ our peace has made all things one in himself; peace, the sign of this unity and reconciliation, is possible now because he overcame the world and its conflict by making peace through the cross. If hearts are shattered, it’s hard to create authentic peace, but reconciliation needs to come from within ourselves. Peace isn’t about negotiation but rather conviction that the Spirit can overcome conflict and harmonize diversity. Diversity is beautiful when it enters into reconciliation. (4.III, 226-30, pp. 172-74)
Reflections
- Creighton: David recognizes the rich man's sin but was blind to his own but then confesses, repents, and is forgiven. You’ll Get Through This asks “Is God good when life isn't?”
- One Bread One Body: Jesus is in control. The Lord calls us to cry to him with confidence; he's faithful, he conquered the world, and he won't leave us.
- Passionist: Like David, we allow our vices and desires to overcome our goodness, make bad choices, and live with the consequences. Let's listen to our conscience and acknowledge our sin, repent, and be forgiven and reconciled. If we turn to Jesus in a storm, he'll rebuke it (but may also rebuke us for our lack of faith).
- Universalis: St. Brigid, foundress. St. Henry Morse, convert, priest, martyr.
Named after 1st reading
Music for the psalm
Apparel
- "Ewe lamb" tie bar: poor man's ewe; "that man is 'you'" (1st reading, 2 Sm 12:7)
- T-shirt with open-mouthed man playing guitar (barely visible beneath shirt): "Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise." (psalm)
- "Peace sign" tie bar: be peacemakers (Gospel Joy excerpt)
Dress your life!
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