February 8

February 8, 2014:  Saturday, 4th Week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• 1 Kgs 3:4-13  After Solomon offered sacrifice, the Lord offered to grant a request.  Solomon:  “Give me understanding to judge your people and distinguish right from wrong.”  God:  “Because you have asked for this instead of long life or riches, I give you unsurpassed wisdom, plus riches and glory you didn't ask for.”

• Ps 119:9-14  "Lord, teach me your statutes."

• Mk 6:30-34  The Apostles reported what they'd done and taught.  Jesus:  “Come away and rest.”  They went off, but people followed them.  Jesus, moved with pity at the shepherdless sheep, began to teach them.

Pope Francis

• Gospel Joy (Evangelii Gaudium drill-down), continuing Chapter 4 (a series):

Interreligious dialogue:  Dialogue with non-Christians in truth and love; it’s necessary for world peace and so is a duty for Christians and other communities.  Be open to them, sharing their joys and sorrows, and accept them and their ways of living, thinking, and speaking.  We can join one another in serving justice and peace.  Mutual listening can purify and enrich us all. 

The bond between dialogue and proclamation leads us to intensify our relationship with non-Christians.  Remain steadfast in your deepest convictions, clear and joyful in your identity, and open to understanding others; don’t just say yes to avoid problems.  Evangelization and interreligious dialogue are mutually nourishing. 

Muslims profess the faith of Abraham, adore the one, merciful God, venerate Jesus and Mary, retain some Christian teaching in their writings, pray daily, worship together, and acknowledge the need for values and for mercy to those in need.  Our relationship with them is very important.  Authentic Islam is opposed to violence. 

Non-Christians faithful to their consciences can live justified by God’s grace.  God’s work in them produces signs and rites, sacred expressions that move others towards God.  Though they don’t have the efficacy of Christ-instituted sacraments, the Spirit can use them to liberate non-Christians from atheism or purely individual religious experiences.  The Spirit brings forth wisdom that helps people bear suffering and live in harmony.  These treasures can help us better to live our own beliefs.  (4.IV, 250-54, pp. 186-90)

Reflections

• Creighton:  Solomon puts his people ahead of himself.  God, grant us understanding hearts.  Jesus, give me strength to let you take over.

• One Bread One Body:  Instead of focusing on himself, Jesus loved others; he died to himself for years before Calvary.  May we.

• Passionist:   Let's imitate Solomon's humble plea for a compassionate heart, Jesus' care for the multitudes, and the disciples' gathering together with Jesus and reporting all they'd done and taught." 

• Universalis:  St. Teilo, monk

• Sacred Space

Music

• Thy word/ Grant (psalm-inspired)

• You have called us/ Farrell (for today's 1st reconciliation at St. Bede) (sample sheet music)

• You have called us, alternate tune/ Celoni (lyrics) (brighter, for 2nd graders; links to audio, sheet music, and MusicXML)

Apparel

• Owl tie pin:  Solomon asked for and received wisdom (1st reading)

• Tie with books:  "Teach me your ways."  (psalm)

• Sheep tie bar:  crowds were like sheep without a shepherd (gospel)

Dress your life!

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