Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": St. Blase

February 3, 2014: Monday, 4th Week, Ordinary Time

Readings

2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13 David, informed Israel is now loyal to his son Absalom, takes flight and weeps. His kinsman Shimei curses and throws stones at him. “God told him to curse; leave him alone. Maybe God will make it up to me.”

Ps 3:2-7 "Lord, rise up and save me." You, my shield, answer and sustain me.

Mk 5:1-20 Jesus / Gerasene with unclean spirit: “Come out of the man!” / “What have you to do with me, Son of the Most High? Don't torment me!” / “What is your name?” / “Legion; we are many. Send us into the swine.” They entered the swine and drowned all 2,000. All saw the man cured and were amazed. “Announce all the Lord has done for you.”

Pope Francis

Homily: David, sad because the people support his son against him, knows many would die in war so flees to ensure the safety of the people and the city. A desperate person may try to use God or people, but David reacts differently. He repents, acknowledging his sins, instead of trying to justify his actions. He and his servants meet a man who hurls insults and stones; he chooses faith over having him killed. David loves God. loves his people, recognizes his sins, repents; trusts God, and entrusts himself to Him.

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

The whole is greater than the part: We need to pay attention to both the global to avoid narrowness and the local to keep our feet on the ground—but getting caught up neither in the abstract nor a rut.

Polyhedron

Broaden your horizons; see the greater good, without uprooting. Sink roots into local soil: work in your neighborhood, but with a larger perspective. Our model is the polyhedron, where all parts converge but each is distinct. Don't overlook anyone; they all have something to offer.

The Gospel embraces and illumines everyone; each receives it in its own way and embodies it in prayer, fraternity, justice, struggle, and celebration. It's the joy of the Father who wants no one lost, the joy of the Good Shepherd who finds and brings back the lost sheep. The Gospel has a principle of totality, seeking to be proclaimed to all, to heal and strengthen every aspect of humanity, to bring everyone together in God’s kingdom. (4.III, 234-37, pp. 176-79)

Reflections

Creighton: David bears Shimei, realizing God alone can judge him. What healing do we need?

One Bread One Body: We can believe the worst about our family as David did. We may want to avoid their rejection, but Jesus sends us to them as he did the Gerasene.

Passionist: David accepts Shimei's cursing, attributing it to Providence. God governs our affairs creatively. Trust and cooperate with God's will and guidance.

Sacred Space

Today's Saints, from Universalis

St. Blase, bishop, missionary, martyr. “Through the intercession of St. Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil.”
St. Ansgar/Oscar, bishop, apostle of the North
St. Dunstan of Canterbury, abbot, bishop, reformer
St. Theodore of Canterbury, bishop, unifier
St. Werburg, religious

Music from Sunday readings