January 23, 2016

Jan. 23

January 23, 2016:  Saturday, 2nd week, Ordinary Time

  • 'Sword' tie pin:  "They had fallen by the sword." (1st reading)
  • 'Lion' pin:  "Saul and Jonathan,... stronger than lions!" (1st reading)
  • Gold-colored accessories:  Saul... decked your attire with ornaments of gold. (1st reading)
  • 'Sheep' tie bar:  "Shepherd of Israel, guide of Joseph's flock..." (psalm)
  • 'People holding hands around the world' tie:  Respect each human life; pray for Christian unity
  • Green in tie:  Ordinary Time season
Listen

For psalm

Pope Francis
Communication and Mercy: A Fruitful Encounter (World Communications Day message):  The Holy Year of Mercy invites us to reflect on the relationship between communication and mercy.   We're called to practice mercy in all we say and do; it ought to express God’s compassion, tenderness, and forgiveness.  Love is communication; it leads to openness and sharing.  If it inspires our hearts and actions, then our communication will be touched by God’s power.
We're called to communicate with everyone, to convey mercy, touch people, and sustain them on their journey to the life the Father sent Jesus to bring.  We must accept the warmth of Mother Church and share it with others, so that Jesus may be known and loved.  That warmth gives substance to the word of faith; our preaching and witness ignite the spark that gives life. [to be continued]
Read
  • 2 Sm 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27  A man from Saul’s camp went to David to tell him soldiers fell in battle, including Saul and Jonathan.  David and his men rent their garments, mourned, wept, and fasted....

  • Ps 80:2-3, 5-7  "Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved."  Shepherd of Israel, rouse your power, and save us.

  • Mk 3:20-21  The crowd gathered around Jesus and his disciples, making it impossible for them even to eat.  His relatives set out to seize him, saying, “He's out of his mind.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  We feel the anguish of a nation who has lost soldiers and leaders in battle.  David and his army don't call on God; they consider the next round of violence and summoning courage....
    • One Bread, One Body:  "Masquerading jealousy?"  Were Jesus' relatives jealous of his popularity?  The religious leaders of Jesus' day said Jesus was possessed.  Were they jealous?  Jealousy can masquerade as concern for others.  When Joshua had problems with two people's use of prophecy, Moses asked, "Are you jealous for my sake?"  The writer of Wisdom said, "Neither shall I admit consuming jealousy, because that can have no fellowship with Wisdom."  When John the Baptist was tempted to become jealous of Jesus, he resisted:  "he must increase, while I must decrease."
    • Passionist:  Jesus’ family's reaction to the news of crowds coming to see him is taking him home because he's crazy.  All of us have been misunderstood at some time, and we don't take time to understand each other.  May understanding bring acceptance, then love, and the kingdom....
    • DailyScripture.net:  "People were saying of Jesus, 'He is beside himself' ":  Why would Jesus' relatives be upset with him when he began his ministry?  In their mind, he'd thrown away the safety of a respectable life close to his family.  Jesus probably expected opposition from the religious authorities, but opposition from relatives must have been harder.  When we choose to follow Jesus, we can expect opposition from those opposed to the Gospel and Christian life, but the hardest opposition may come from a family member or close friend.  Jesus met opposition with grace and determination to fulfill his Father's will.
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