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!

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