January 16, 2016

Jan. 16

January 16, 2016:  Saturday, 1st Week, Ordinary Time




  • 'Phone' tie bar:  Jesus 'called' Levi/Matthew; he came to 'call' sinners.
  • 'Crown' tie bar:  Samuel anointed Saul king (1st reading); In Your strength the king is glad (psalm)
  • 'Coin' button:  Levi/Matthew, tax collector
  • 'Silverware' tie bar:  "Why does Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners?" (gospel)
  • 'Doctor's office' tie:  sick people need a doctor (gospel)
  • Gold-colored accessories:  You placed a gold crown on his head (psalm)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
Listen

Pope Francis homily
Educate, ‘to draw out,’ is the capacity to extract the best from one’s heart.  It means making ourselves and reality more human.  In the world of work, form people for ‘a new humanism of work’ in which the human being is at the center, and the economy serves people.  Nor is education merely theoretical; it helps people resist the falsehood that work, effort, self-giving, and study have no intrinsic value. Teach people the way of honesty, avoiding favoritism’ networks.  Corruption and lawlessness are like a giant sea creature that ensnares and poisons its victims and drags them into the depths.
Share:  recognize the work day as an opportunity to foster unity among co-workers.
Witness:  Many desire to work and have good training but can't find appropriate employment.  Justice requires that everyone have access to work.  Communicate hope, comfort with presence, and sustain with help, those who can't find work.  Bear witness starting with your lifestyle.  Witness the free gift of self, a spirit of service.  Disciples of Christ, transparent in heart and sensible in life, bring the light of Christ to where they live and work.
Read
  • 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1  The Lord assured Samuel, “Saul is to govern my people.”  Saul met Samuel who anointed him:  “The Lord anoints you commander.  Govern his people and save them from their enemies.”
  • Ps 21:2-7  "Lord, in your strength the king is glad."  You welcomed, blessed, and crowned him and gave him life, majesty, and joy.
  • Mk 2:13-17  As Jesus was teaching, he saw Levi and said, “Follow me.”  He got up and followed Jesus.  Tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples.  Pharisees asked, “Why does he eat with them?”  Jesus said, “The well don't need a physician; the sick do.  I came to call sinners, not the righteous.
Reflect
    • Creighton:  When Jesus called him, Levi got up, left, and followed without hesitation.  Jesus dined with tax collectors and the sinners, the lowest of the low.  Life brings many opportunities to be present for people who otherwise don't have a voice, those struggling to find joy and redemption in the wrong places. God leads us to open our home to people who would never receive an invitation, as Jesus led Levi.  It's easy to ignore those stricken with shame, feel lost, and make wrong decisions.  The ultimate physician is there for all the sick and weary if we call.  Imagine a world where each of us helps those who are sick, struggling, or need comfort.  God’s wants us to be light to the world....
    • One Bread, One Body:  "As I am, but not as I will be":  Saul, first king of Israel, was outwitted by asses before he was anointed king.  Saul had trouble doing things right.  He hid to get out of being made king, but they found him.  The Lord accepted him as he was and anointed him.  The Lord accepts us as we are, then doesn't accept us staying as we are; he calls us to repent and grow....
    • Passionist:  Jesus sensed the faith of those bringing him the paralytic....
    • DailyScripture.net:  "Many sinners were sitting with Jesus":  Many were drawn to Jesus, including the unwanted, the unlovable, such as the lame, the blind, lepers, and the homeless such as widows and orphans.  Public sinners were also drawn to Jesus. In calling Levi, Jesus picked one of the unlikeliest, a tax collector the people despised.  Orthodox Jews divided people into two groups:  those who kept the Law and and those who didn't.  They treated the latter like second-class citizens, avoiding their company, not doing business with them, not giving them anything, and avoiding entertainment with them, including table fellowship.  Jesus' association with sinners shocked them.  When the Pharisees challenged him, his defense was simple.  A doctor visits the sick, not the healthy.  He sought out those in the greatest need.  Jesus came to care for his people and restore them to life.  The orthodox Jews were so preoccupied with their practice of religion that they didn't help those who needed care.  Ironically, the orthodox were as needy as those they despised.  The Lord wants us to seek our neighbors' good....
      • Joseph Vaz, Oratorian priest, missionary to Sri Lanka
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