January 5, 2016

John Neumann

January 5, 2016:  St. John Neumann, Bishop



  • Suspenders with 'LOVE' sticker:  Love one another; love is of God (1st reading)
  • 'Girl with heart' pin:  Jesus' heart was moved with pity... (gospel)
  • 'Sheep' tie bar:  ...for they were like sheep without a shepherd (gospel)
  • 'Star' tie pin:  star guiding the magi (Epiphany gospel)
  • 'Olympics' tie pin:  Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (psalm)
  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  Peace shall flourish (psalm)
  • 'Wheat' and 'fish' pins:  "We only have five loaves and two fish" (gospel)
  • 'Abacus' tie pin:  Jesus 'multiplied' the loaves and fish (gospel)
  • Shirt:  white for Epiphany/light, green for Christmas
  • 'Christmas lights' tie:  Jesus, Light of the World (Epiphanytide)
Listen

Pope Francis
World Day of Peace message:  Overcome indifference and win peace, continued from yesterday
From Building a culture of solidarity and mercy to overcome indifference

 Solidarity calls for commitment on the part of those responsible for education and formation:  Families are the first place love, fraternity, togetherness, sharing, concern, and care for others are lived out and handed on.  Teachers, whose responsibility includes the moral, spiritual, and social aspects of life, should hand on the values of freedom, respect, and solidarity.  Communicators should serve the truth; education and communication are very close. 
Peace:  fruit of a culture of solidarity, mercy and compassion 
Though globalization of indifference poses a threat, remember the positive initiatives testifying to the compassion, mercy, and solidarity we're capable of:  Members of many non-governmental and charitable organizations brave difficulties and dangers in caring for the injured and sick and burying the dead.  Many assist migrants in search of a better life.  These are works of mercy we'll be judged on.  Many journalists and photographers are devoted to the defense of human rights, especially those of the vulnerable.  Many priests and missionaries support their flock heedless of danger and hardship. 
Many families make sacrifices to provide their children a “counter-cultural” education in solidarity, compassion, and fraternity.  Many families open their hearts and homes to those in need.  Many young people undertake works of solidarity and help those need.  I thank and encourage all engaged in such efforts; their hunger for justice will be satisfied, their mercy will lead them to find mercy and, as peacemakers, they'll be called God's children.  [to be continued]
    Read
    "Loaves and fish" (animate)
    • 1 Jn 4:7-10  Love one another, because love is of God.  God sent his Son so we might have life through him.  Love isn't that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
    • Ps 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8  "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."  The mountains shall yield peace and the hills justice.  The king shall defend the afflicted and save the poor.
    • Mk 6:34-44  Jesus, moved with pity for the crowd, taught them, then multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed the crowd of >5000; twelve baskets remained.
    Reflect
      • Creighton:  When Jesus saw the crowd, he was ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, moved in his guts; he didn't just meet, understand, or feel sorry for them.  He experienced them as lost and wandering persons.  Jesus knew their hearts were hungry and was moved to offer them the food of his truth to nourish them more than bread and fish.  Jesus’ taught his disciples they're as poor as having just five loaves and two fish and a crowd to feed.  They wanted to avoid their poverty by having Jesus send the crowd away.  Faith begins with accepting our poverty and leads to letting him do much with our little.
        St. John Neumann
      • One Bread, One Body:  "Facts it to me":  Christmas is about God's Word becoming flesh; Jesus' birth is a fact.  Today's gospel recounts another miracle-fact, the multiplication of the loaves and the fish.  The apostles knew the people didn't have food.  Believe in miracles....
      • Passionist:  The first reading is about our greatest gift:  God’s love for us in Jesus Christ.  Don't forget about it or put it away.  The gift is useful (lifegiving), costly (to the Father and Jesus), and effective (life-changing)....
      • DailyScripture.net:  "They all ate and were satisfied":  Only God can satisfy our deepest longings.  In today's gospel, Jesus fed everyone till they were satisfied.  The miracle pointed to the manna in the wilderness and foreshadowed the Eucharist.  Jesus is the true bread of heaven.  The miracle shows God's generosity and kindness.  God gives abundantly so we may share with others.  God takes the little we have and multiplies it for others' good.
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