February 16, 2015: Monday, 6th week, Ordinary Time
- 'Sheep' tie bar: Abel kept flocks (1st reading)
- 'Blood drop' pin: "Your brother’s blood cries out to me!" (1st reading)
- 'Eyeball' pin: "I'll correct you by drawing these things up before your eyes" (psalm)
- 'Signs' tie: The Pharisees sought a sign; “Why? None will be given.” (gospel)
- 'Boat' tie bar: Jesus got into the boat again (gospel)
- Green shirt: Ordinary Time season (to go on hold Wednesday)
Listen
- When Cain killed Abel/ Keithahn: lyrics+ (1st reading)
- Psalm 50: To the upright I will show the saving power of God/ Celoni (psalm)
ReadThe leper, once cured, became a messenger of God’s love. This is the ‘logic’ of Jesus and the way of the Church: not only to welcome and reinstate with courage all who knock, but to go out and to seek, fearlessly and without prejudice, those who are distant, sharing what we've freely received. God's mercy overcomes all barriers. Christ does not act from a safe distance or by proxy but is exposed directly to our evil. Look the afflicted in the eye, and show tenderness and compassion to the suffering.
- Gn 4:1-15, 25 Eve bore Cain, then Abel; Abel became a keeper of flocks, Cain a tiller of soil. Lord to Cain: “Why are you so resentful? If you don't do well, sin is lurking, but you can be his master.” Cain killed his brother. Lord/Cain: “Where's your brother?” / “Am I my brother’s keeper?” / “His blood cries out to me! You'll be banned from the soil: it won't produce for you. You'll become a restless wanderer.” / “Then anyone may kill me.” / “No!” He put a mark on him, lest anyone kill him. Adam and Eve again had relations, and she bore Seth....
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| Give us a sign! (animate) |
- Ps 50:1, 8, 16bc-17, 20-21 "Offer to God a sacrifice of praise." “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; you profess my covenant with your mouth but hate discipline, speak against your brother, and spread rumors. I'll correct you....”
- Mk 8:11-13 The Pharisees argued with Jesus, seeking a sign to test him. Jesus, sighing: “Why do you seek a sign? None will be given to you.” He left by boat....
- Creighton: “Compare and despair.” Jealousy destroys our heart, our being, and relationships. It can take the form of bitterness, resentment, gossip, malicious actions, and we can feel helpless to it. God tells Cain sin is ready to attack, control, and consume, and we must rule over it. The Pharisees were jealous in today's gospel, and jealousy remains a top killer. Love can free us, showing us God wants us and we don't need to compete....
- One Bread One Body: "The best or the rest?" Abel brought to the Lord his "best"; Cain merely brought "an offering." May we give our best to the Lord....
- Passionist: Most of us want something: love, health, money, control, assurance, affirmation, God's smile, signs of God's love. People may be given signs then left to grope in spiritual darkness; saints cling to faith and remain true to God's work....
- DailyScripture.net: People of Jesus' time expected signs would announce the Messiah's coming; leaders tested Jesus to see whether he had a true sign. False messiahs had made extraordinary claims to attract followers. Jesus knew the Pharisees were more interested in signs than God's word. Simeon prophesied Jesus was "to be a sign to be opposed so that thoughts of many will be revealed." Jesus himself was the sign. If we seek the Lord, we can be confident he'll give us what we need to understand and do his will....
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