January 22, 2017

3rd Sun., Ordinary Time

January 22, 2017:  Third Sunday in Ordinary Time


  • 'Street lamp' tie bar / 'Lights' tie:  The people... have seen a great light (1st reading, gospel); the Lord is my light (psalm)
  • 'Clock' pin:  Wait for the Lord (psalm)
  • Crucifix:  Christ sent me to preach the gospel so his cross might not be emptied of its meaning (2nd reading)
  • 'Fishing pole' tie bar:  Jesus called fishermen Simon Peter and Andrew (gospel)
  • 'Boat' tie bar:  James and John left their boat to follow Jesus (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
Listen

For 1st reading and gospel
For Psalm 27
For 2nd reading and week of prayer for Christian unity
For next Sunday
Check out Ed Bolduc's blog post for more related music! 
Pope Francis
Angelus:  Galilee was a crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Mesopotamian hinterlands.  Jews saw it as a geographical periphery and expected little from it, but it was precisely here that gospel light began to be diffused.  Here Jesus preached the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven, choosing the a wandering prophet's life, going out to meet the people.  He didn't simply proclaim the gospel; he sought companions in his saving mission. He called simple fisherman in the routine of their daily lives, and they responded immediately.  Today we have the joy of proclaiming and bearing witness to our faith because of that first announcement, because of those humble, courageous men who responded generously to Jesus' call.
Our awareness of the beginnings of the Christian mission raises in us the desire to bring Jesus' word, love, and tenderness into every context, even the most resistant, to sow gospel seed into all spaces of human life, that it might bear the fruits of salvation.


Pray for Christian unity:  The theme of this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is “Reconciliation:  The love of Christ compels us.”  The week will conclude Wednesday with ecumenical Vespers at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.  Persevere in prayer, so that the desire of Christ, "that they all might be one," may be accomplished.

Read

    Wordle: Readings 1-26-14
  • Is 8:23-9:3 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. You smashed the yoke that burdened them and brought them joy.
  • Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 "The Lord is my light and my salvation."  Whom should I fear?  I ask to dwell in God's house forever.  Wait for the Lord. 
  • 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 Be united in mind and purpose; no divisions!  Is Christ divided?
  • Mt 4:12-23 Jesus went to Capernaum, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy, "The people in darkness have seen a great light."  He preached:  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  He told fishermen Simon and Andrew, “Come; I'll make you fishers of men,” and they followed him.  He called James and John in a boat; they followed him.  He proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom and cured people.
Reflect
    • Creighton:  The today's gospel Jesus asks for volunteers to be with him, to leave home, community, way of life for something greater.  They went immediately!  As people, they must have had fears or questions, but their soul must have told them it's good and would be OK.  Jesus talked to them in their language and lived among them, but they witnessed miracles. My best decisions/moments were when I handed God my decision, my moment, and my soul, not trying to control, replacing my fear, anxiety, and anger with prayer and calm.  Lord, be with me, make me aware of “ordinary” graces, and help me hand myself over and be in the moment with others.
      The calling of Apostles Peter and Andrew
      Duccio
    • One Bread, One Body:  "Do drops":  Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow him.  We still appeal for workers for the harvest.  Busy people who answer become busier, taking on more work and responsibilities; their sacrificial love is beautiful.  Jesus keeps calling people to become workers and gives them time to follow and work for him by changing their jobs, habits, and lives.  Lord, what should I drop out of my life so I can better answer your call?
    • Passionist:  Nome, Alaska has six months without sunlight; the darkness magnifies people's personal problems.  Today's readings focus on light dispelling darkness.  Isaiah prophesied that light would dispel the darkness of oppression and hopelessness; the gospel tells us Jesus' arrival and starting his public ministry fulfilled Isaiah’s prophesy.  With Jesus, light came to dispel the darkness.  Paul focuses on the darkness of disunity and divisions within the community and tells them that Jesus came to dispel the darkness of jealousy, elitism, and divisiveness and gather all into the unity only he can illumine.
    When we're in darkness, we need to deal with it from outside ourselves.  In the face of anger, resentment, inability to forgive, pride, elitism, factionalism, intolerance, self-centeredness, or refusal to to accompany others in need, Jesus, who rejected the darkness of revenge and brought the light of reconciliation, invites us to follow him more closely.  He brought sinners out of darkness into the light of God’s love.  He called outcasts out of the darkness of rejection into the light of acceptance.  He brought the sick out of the darkness of pain into the light of healing.  He brought Martha and Mary out of the darkness of grief into the light of hope.  As Jesus brought light to all, so we as his disciples, are invited to be messengers of the light to all in our lives.  We are called to be children of the light, living in and with his light, dispelling all darkness that might keep us or others from a closer walk with God.  We're commissioned disciples of the Light....
    • DailyScripture.net:  "From darkness and death to light and life":  John the Baptist's enemies had sought to silence him, but the good news can't be silenced.  As soon as John finished his testimony, Jesus began his.  Isaiah foretold the good news would reach Jews and Gentiles in Galilee. Jesus began there to fulfill God's word. Prophets spoke of God’s promise to send a Redeemer to establish God's rule; Jesus brings gospel light and truth to the world, good news of peace, hope, truth, promise, immortality, and salvation.  The gospel is God's power and wisdom to transform us and show us how to live as God's children.  Through the gift of the Spirit, the Lord makes it possible for us to receive and act on his word.
    Jesus makes two demands:  repent and believe!  Repentance requires change:  turning from sin towards the Lord with faith and obedience.  God's grace helps us turn away from all that would keep us from his love.  Faith is a gift God makes to us; we can believe only when the Spirit moves and converts our heart; the Spirit opens our eyes so we may know God personally and accept and grow in our understanding of the truth.  To believe Jesus is Lord and Savior is to accept God's revelation.  The Father, out of his love for us, made the sacrifice of his Son to bring us back to himself.  Holy Spirit, renew in us the gift of faith, the love of wisdom, and a disciple's heart....
      • Publius, honored as Bishop of Malta, welcomed Paul and his companions
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