February 18

February 18, 2014:  Tuesday, 6th week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• Jas 1:12-18  Those who persevere in temptation will receive the crown of life.  Each is tempted when lured by desire, which conceives and brings forth sin, which when grown gives birth to death.  Every perfect gift is from the Father who willed to give us birth by the word of truth.

• Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 18-19  "Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord."  When cares abound in me, your comfort gladdens my soul. 

• Mk 8:14-21  Jesus:  Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.  Don't you understand?  Don't you remember the twelve baskets left after I broke the loaves for the 5,000 or the seven left after I broke the seven loaves for the 4,000?  Do you still not understand?

Pope Francis

• 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 (as the disciples in today's gospel); 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.’

• Gospel Joy (Evangelii Gaudium drill-down), continuing Chapter 5 (a series):

Mary, star of the new evangelization:  We ask the Mother of the living Gospel to intercede that the whole Church will accept the invitation to a new evangelization. Mary lives and advances in faith; she let herself be guided by the Holy Spirit on a journey of service and fruitfulness.  Look to her and ask her to help us proclaim the message of salvation. 

Along the journey we'll have moments of aridity, darkness, and fatigue.  Mary experienced them during Jesus’ childhood:  heaviness of heart, linked with a night of faith, a veil through which one has to draw near to the Invisible One and live with the mystery.  Mary lived in intimacy with the mystery of her Son, and went forward in faith.”  (5.II, 287, pp. 214-15)

Reflections

• Creighton:  Jesus invites me to be human, acknowledge my fear, and share God's salvation with all we meet.  Am I a gloomy Christian with hard heart and limited sight?  Do I hear the cry of the poor and listen to God speaking through them?  Respond with love and respect for all.  Jesus calls us individually and as community.  In community I've learned and experienced love, mercy, forgiveness, hope, understanding, and shared wisdom.  Our community can help us recognize and transform our temptations, in the Spirit.  Choose the leaven of hope, faith, and love, and we'll share bread in worship, witness, service, and communities.

• One Bread One Body:  When worldly cares invade us and choke the Word, focus on God and the comfort He offers, not the cares.

• Passionist:  Jesus didn't leave his heart behind with the 4,000. He will provide; just stay in the boat with Him.

• Sacred Space

Apparel

• "Crowns" tie:  reward for perseverance (1st reading)

• Wheat pin:  Disciples had only one loaf of bread (gospel)

• Abacus tie pin: don't you understand about the 5(7) loaves, 5,000(4,000) people, and 12(7) baskets?? (gospel)

• Green in suspenders, shirt, and socks:  Ordinary Time (season)

Dress your life!

Please comment below