Jan. 7

January 7, 2015:  Wednesday after Epiphany

• 'Holy Spirit' chain:  we know he and we remain in each other by the Spirit he's given (1st reading)

• 'Car' tie pin:  Perfect love 'drives' out fear (1st reading)

• 'Christmas lights' tie, white shirt:  Epiphanytide

• 'Olympics' tie pin:  "Every nation will adore you" (psalm)

• Gold-colored accessories:  The kings shall offer gifts (psalm)

• 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  Jesus went off to pray (gospel)

• 'Sea World' pin:  Jesus calmed the sea and got in with them (gospel)

• 'Heart' tie bar:  Their hearts were hardened (gospel)

Listen

"Epiphany carols":

• Five Epiphany Hymns
• Five Carols to Commemorate the Adoration of the Magi at Epiphany/ McCabe
• Oremus Hymnal:  Epiphany:  80 hymns on the related themes of Epiphany, Jesus' Baptism, Missions, and the Transfiguration

• As with gladness men of old/ Dix:  lyrics+
• I am the light of the world/ Hayakawa
• We are the light of the world/ Grief: standard, contemporary
• Love one another/ Dufford
• The Light of Christ/ Fishel

For the psalm, see Monday and Tuesday.

Pope Francis audience

The Church is our mother, and no believer is an orphan.  Mothers' contribution to society and daily sacrifices are underappreciated; we need to pay more attention to them and support them better.   They're an antidote to self-centeredness and the decline in openness, generosity, and concern for others.  Motherhood is a life choice entailing sacrifice, respect for life, and commitment to passing on values.

Mothers are witnesses of tenderness, dedication, and moral strength; they transmit practice of religion, prayers, gestures of devotion, and the value of faith.  Without mothers, faith would lose much of its warmth.  Archbishop Oscar Romero spoke of a “martyrdom of mothers,” whose sensitivity to what threatens life and welfare enriches both society and Church.

Read

'Boat' from words of the readings
(Animate)

• 1 Jn 4:11-18  God loved us; love one another.  If we love, God remains in us, and his love is perfected in us.  When we acknowledge Jesus as God's Son, God remains in us and we in God.  God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in them.   Perfect love drives out fear.

• Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13  "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."  The king shall have pity for the lowly and the poor.

• Mk 6:45-52  The disciples proceeded by boat toward Bethsaida.  Jesus went off to pray, walked on the sea toward them, calmed their fear, and got in with them, but their hearts were hardened.

Reflect

• Creighton:  How do you respond to "Don't be afraid" when terrified?  John says:  love.  Serve others....

• One Bread One Body:  "Love's multiplier effect":  When we love and give all we have, we'll receive what we need to accomplish Christ's objectives.  Christ will multiply our faith and works.

• Passionist:  The apostles were in the boat but  "missed the boat," not having understood the miracle of the loaves.  Lord, help me see and hear your work in my life.

• DailyScripture.net:  The Lake of Galilee was known for its storms and strong winds.  Jesus always intercedes for us.  Do I recognize God's presence and trust him for strength and help? 

• Saints, per Universalis:  
• Raymond of Peñafort, Dominican priest worked on canon law, wrote Summa casuum on how best to administer the sacrament of Reconciliation; see Catholic Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

• André Bessette, of Congregation of the Holy Cross, acclaimed as miracle worker; see Wikipedia.

• Sacred Space

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