January 6, 2016: 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 and socks, '3 stick figures' tie pin: Epiphanytide (3 magi)
- 'Olympics' tie pin: "Every nation will adore you" (psalm)
- Gold-colored accessories: The kings shall offer gifts (psalm)
- 'Boat' tie bar: Disciples in boat; Jesus walked towards them (gospel)
- 'Sea World' pin: Jesus calmed the sea and got in with them (gospel)
- 'Heart' tie bar: Their hearts were hardened (gospel)
- 'Peace sign' tie bar: Pope's Peace Day message
"Epiphany carols":
- Five Epiphany Hymns
- Oremus Hymnal: Epiphany: 80 hymns on the related themes of Epiphany, Jesus' Baptism, Missions, and the Transfiguration
- 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 yesterday.Pope Francis
Epiphany* homily: Isaiah's words to Jerusalem are also meant for us, calling us to go out from ourselves, leave behind what keeps us self-enclosed, and recognize the splendor of the light that illumines our lives. That “light” is the glory of the Lord. The Church can't delude herself into thinking she shines with her own light. “The moon is in fact the Church, [shining] not with her own light but with Christ's, drawing her brightness from the Sun of Justice, saying, ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me’” (Ambrose Hexaemeron IV, 8, 32). Christ is the light shining in the darkness. To the extent the Church remains anchored in him and lets him illumine her, she can bring people light, so the Church Fathers saw in her the mysterium lunae. We need this light to respond to our call. Proclaiming the Gospel is not simply an option or a profession. To be missionary does not mean to proselytize: it's giving expression to her nature, which is to receive and reflect God’s light. People look to us for this because they need Christ, the face of the Father.
The Magi are witnesses to the presence of seeds of truth everywhere; the Creator calls everyone to acknowledge him as good and faithful Father. The Magi represent all who are welcomed into the house of God. All divisions disappear before Jesus; humanity discovers its unity. We must see and show the desire for God present in every person. Like the Magi, people today have “restless hearts” that seek without finding answers; they're looking for a star to show them the path. Of all the stars in the sky, the Magi followed a new and different one that shone brightly for them. They had long peered into the heavens, and at last the light appeared. That star changed them, making them leave their daily concerns and set out. They listened to a voice within that led them to the light. The star guided them to the King in a humble dwelling in Bethlehem.
Repeat the Magi's question: “Where's the child born as King of the Jews? We observed his star and have come to pay him homage.” Seek the signs God offers, realizing the effort needed to interpret them and so understand his will. Go to Bethlehem and find the Child and his Mother. Follow the light God offers, the light streaming from the face of Christ, full of mercy and fidelity. Then worship him and present him with your gifts: freedom, understanding, and love. Recognize the wisdom concealed in the Child's face. The life of the Church is summed up in the simplicity of Bethlehem, where we find the light that draws to itself each person and guides us along the path of peace.
Angelus: Through this Epiphany feast the Church wishes to guide everyone towards the Child Jesus who was born to save us all. The Magi and the shepherds who came to pay homage to Jesus teach us that to meet Jesus we need to raise our eyes, open to God's horizon, not be bent over ourselves. Just as the Magi experienced joy when seeing the star, it's great for us to feel we're being guided. The experience of the Magi is an appeal for us not to settle for mediocrity and scrape a living but instead to examine with passion the mystery of life. It teaches us not to let smallness and poverty scandalize us but to recognize the majesty in humility and learn how to kneel in front of it.
Epiphany is also World Day of Missionary Childhood, the feast for children who with their prayers and sacrifice help their more needy peers by becoming missionaries and witnesses of brotherhood and sharing.
World Day of Peace message: Overcome indifference and win peace, concluded, continued from yesterday
Peace in the sign of the Jubilee of Mercy
Realize how indifference can manifest itself in our lives, and improve the world, beginning with family, neighbors, and work. Society is called to act with courage for the vulnerable, e.g. prisoners, migrants, the unemployed, and the infirm. We need practical measures to improve living conditions of prisoners and those awaiting trial. Penal sanctions aim to rehabilitate; nations should consider establishing penalties other than incarceration. I again appeal for the abolition of the death penalty.
I ask that migration legislation be reviewed, so that it respects rights and responsibilities and also reflects readiness to welcome migrants and facilitate their integration. Special concern should be paid to the conditions for legal residency. I appeal for action in favor of those who lack labor, land, or lodging, so dignified jobs will be available; unemployment takes a heavy toll on people’s sense of dignity and hope. Women need special attention; people still discriminate against them.... I hope effective steps will be taken to improve the living conditions of the sick by ensuring that all have access to essential treatment, medicine, and home care. National leaders are called to renew their relations with other peoples and enable their participation and inclusion in the life of the international community. I appeal to leaders: don't draw other peoples into conflicts; forgive or sustainably manage the debt of poorer nations; and adopt policies of cooperation that respect values of local populations and respect the right to life of the unborn.
Mary, you care for the needs of our human family; intercede for us and obtain from your Son, Prince of Peace, blessing of our efforts for a fraternal and united world.Read
 |
| Jesus walking on the sea/ Lautermilch |
- 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.
- Creighton: "God is love" says it all. Let's carry kindness forward throughout the year. "It's Christmas every time you let God love others through you" (misattributed to Mother Teresa)
 |
| Adoration of the Magi/ Da Fabriano (*most of the world celebrates Epiphany today) |
- One Bread, One Body: "Fear prevention": In today's readings, love is contrasted with fear, not hate, and the antidote is prayer.
- Passionist: The test of whether we're returning God’s love is our loving others; we prove our love for God by loving others as God loves us. If we love. then God is present in us. People are visible, sometimes uneasy to be with; we're called to share God's love with them. Our Christian life is about loving people, and God is the source of that love. Our loving acts express God’s love working in and through us. We see this working in Jesus; Jesus on the cross is the most dramatic sign of God’s love for us, freely given and never earned by any action of ours.
- DailyScripture.net: The Lake of Galilee was known for its sudden storms, and though Jesus' disciples were experienced fishermen, this one scared them. They were further scared when they thought they saw a ghost (Jesus' coming to them walking on the sea). Jesus calmed both their fears and the storm. The Lord keeps watch over us always and will see us through any trial....
No comments:
Post a Comment