January 15, 2015: Thursday, 1st week, Ordinary Time
- 'Hearts' suspenders: "harden not your hearts" (1st reading, psalm)
- 'Kneeling person' tie bar: "Kneel before the Lord who made us (psalm); a leper knelt and begged Jesus (gospel)
- 'Sheep' tie bar: "We're the flock he guides" (psalm)
- 'Hand' tie pin: Jesus stretched out his hand (gospel)
- Green shirt: Ordinary Time
- Be not afraid/ Dufford (1st reading, re rest)
- If today you hear God's voice/ Haas (psalm)
Pope Francis
On freedom of expression: There are limits to freedom of expression, especially when it insults or ridicules someone’s faith. Both freedom of religion and freedom of expression are fundamental rights, and killing in God's name is an aberration. If my friend curses his mother, he can expect a punch. You can't provoke; you can't insult or make fun of others' faith.
On climate change: I don’t know whether human activity is the only cause, but we've slapped nature in the face. We've overexploited nature; I hope my upcoming ecology encyclical will encourage courageous decision making to protect God’s creation.Read
- Heb 3:7-14 The Spirit says: “Harden not your hearts as in the day of testing, where your ancestors tested me. Provoked, I said, ‘They're of erring heart and don't know my ways.’ I swore, ‘They won't enter into my rest.’” Don't have an unfaithful heart and forsake God. Encourage yourselves so you don't grow hardened by sin's deceit. We've become Christ's partners if we hold firm.
- Ps 95:6-7c, 8-11 "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." Worship, kneeling before the Lord our God who guides us. Hear him: “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, where your fathers tested me though they had seen my works.” Wearied, I said: “They go astray, not knowing my ways; they'll never enter my rest.”
- Mk 1:40-45 A leper knelt and begged Jesus, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus, stretching out his hand to touch him: “I do; be made clean,” and he was cleansed. “Don't tell anyone.” But he publicized the matter...
- Creighton: Do I listen for God and give him my attention? The cleansed leper doesn't 'hear' Jesus tell him to tell no one. Make time to listen...
- One Bread One Body: "Give encouragement a chance": Without encouragement, it's easy to grow hardened. Don't miss chances to receive or give encouragement.
- Passionist: Do I believe God speaks to me every day?
- DailyScripture.net: Do I seek the Lord with faith? It's remarkable Jesus touched the leper because lepers were outcasts regarded as dead, and it's remarkable the leper approached him expectantly since he could have been stoned. Jesus' touch, putting him at risk of infection, demonstrated God's tenderness. Do I show kindness to hard-to-love people?
- Universalis: St. Ita; see Wikipedia.
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