June 28, 2016

Irenaeus

June 28, 2016:  St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

  • 'Lion' pin:  Does a lion roar in the forest when it has no prey?  Does a young lion cry out from its den unless it has seized something?  The lion roars—who won't be afraid!  (1st reading)
  • 'Bird' tie pin:  Is a bird brought to earth by a snare when there is no lure for it?  (1st reading)
  • 'Angel with trumpet' pin:  If the trumpet sounds in a city, will the people not be frightened?  (1st reading)
  • 'Boats' tie:  As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.  (gospel)
  • Red and blue in shirt:  Red for martyrdom of St. Irenaeus, blue for storm at sea (gospel)
  • 'Blood drop' pin:  Martyrdom of St. Irenaeus
Listen


 From the Vatican
Communications reform, 1 year post Motu Proprio:  The Motu Proprio puts today's digital culture at the center of the reform, makes the perspective a “user first” one, challenging us to stop assuming others are listening and looking at us.  The reform is of all Vatican media outlets.  85% of people connect to media via mobile devices.  The Pope invited us to leave unidirectional communication behind and bring the gospel message to people immersed in new media.  In the past year, 400 people have been at work; some have invested in professional training including MBAs and master's degrees in communications.
Prefect Msgr. Viganò
It’s fine to have more advanced technology, but real reform takes place behind the scenes.  We're working on a system where everything will be produced by team effort.  We need to learn and approach the reform with humility.  The new portal will feature videos, podcasts, images, articles, and radio.  People will no longer be confused or “cannibalized” by turning to us.  We've been nonexistent in the public eye; we have much to do regarding web reputation and positioning.  We must become an important source for Vatican and papal news.
We've analyzed our organizations and concluded that people's work is ultimately penalized; it's like a motor that has everything but doesn't work efficiently, overheating instead of producing energy.  We want our motor to function properly so it can go fast, brake, or pass when needed.  A ‘repositioning’ and ‘empowerment’ of Vatican Radio’s local broadcasts will come soon; it's important that radio remain and people continue to listen to Vatican Radio in Italian, but it may feature broadcasts in other languages too.  Vatican Radio is no longer a radio station.  There will be many multi-linguistic and multi-cultural programs with text content and audio offered via podcasts.
Read

  • Am 3:1-8; 4:11-12  Children of Israel, I favored you alone, so I'll punish you for your crimes.  Does a lion with no prey roar?  When the trumpet sounds, won't people be frightened?  I brought upheaval upon you, but you didn't return to me, so I'll deal with you; prepare to meet me!
  • Ps 5:4b-8  "Lead me in your justice, Lord."  At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.  You hate evildoers and destroy all who speak falsehood.  But I, because of your mercy, will enter your house and worship in fear of you.
  • Mt 8:23-27  As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed.  When a storm came up, they woke him:  “Lord, save us!” / “Why are you terrified, you of little faith?”  He rebuked the winds and sea, there was calm, and they were amazed:  “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and sea obey?”

Reflect
    • Creighton:  The 1st reading talks about how God told the Israelites that he'd punish them because he favored them; then follows questions asking us to think about how and why God acts, then says we may endure hardships we can't understand but must remember God has things figured out.  The gospel has the same message of faith.  When the disciples were afraid as their boat was being storm-tossed, they asked Jesus to save them; he asked them why they didn't have faith, then calmed the seas.  Amazed, they wondered what sort of man could command the wind and sea.  We're all called to faith and trust in the Lord, even when we ask, “Why would God do this?”
      St. Irenaeus
    • One Bread, One Body:  "Seek prophecy":  Prophecy is speaking or writing what God wants said when he wants it said.  The Spirit knows the right word for the right moment to penetrate us.  God's word cuts to the depths of the heart, bringing change, life, and conversion, or rebellion.  A prophet must listen attentively, discern what God wants said, and say it at the proper time.  Ask for the gift of prophecy.
    • Passionist:  “Why are you terrified, you of little faith?”  We lack faith and trust like the disciples did.  We may know Jesus is in charge, present, trustworthy, and faithful but still forget, jump to conclusions, judge, and mess up!  But Jesus is all about love, goodness, and forgiveness.  It’s easy to trust him when things are going our way, but when a little storm comes, we can cry “Why?” and despair.  Faith is caught, not taught:  caught up in how live, serve, and celebrate.  Events like the Orlando massacre can test us...  We must challenge church leaders who remain silent, who refuse to speak out for human dignity...  May we walk in faith and hope.
    • DailyScripture.net:  "Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?"  The disciples' faith was asleep; they feared even though their Lord was with them.  When we're tested, Jesus asks us too, Have you no faith?  Recognize the Lord's presence, even in adversity, sorrow, and temptation:  "It is I; don't be afraid."  Believing is only possible through the Holy Spirit, who moves us and opens our mind to truth.  Faith enables us to relate to God with reliance, believing and adhering to his trustworthy word.  Faith must be nourished with the word of God.  Fear doesn't need to cripple us.  Courage with faith enables us to embrace God's word confidently and act on it with hope.  God's love strengthens us and enables us to act with justice and kindness....
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