January 11, 2017

Jan. 11

January 11, 2017:  Wednesday, 1st week, Ordinary Time
  • 'Blood drop' pin:  Jesus and the children shared in blood and flesh (1st reading)
  • 'Angel' pin:  Jesus helped Abraham's descendants, not angels (1st reading)
  • 'Musical note' pin:  "Sing the Lord's praise" (psalm)
  • 'Heart' pin:  Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! (psalm)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  Jesus grasped the sick woman's hand (gospel)
  • 'Cars' tie:  Jesus 'drove' out many demons (gospel)
  • Green shirt, suspenders:  Ordinary Time season
Listen

  • Fever/ Cooley, Blackwell (gospel-inspired :-)
For Psalm 105
Pope Francis Audience:  True vs. False Hope
Hope is one of our primary needs, but we can get lost in our search for security by trusting in the false hopes idols offer.  Authentic hope is born of trust in God’s word, but false hopes and worldly idols, like money, power, or physical beauty, can tempt us.  Idols confuse the mind and heart; they lead to death.
Faith is trusting God, but when confronted with difficulty, we experience the fragility of that trust and feel the need for more tangible certainties.  Idols and the hope they offer are fleeting.  If you hope in idols, you become like them:  empty, with hands that don’t touch, feet that don’t walk, mouths that can't speak.  You can't help, change things, smile, give of oneself, or love.  But God is always greater, so we can't reduce him to our size, image, or desires.  God's grandeur allows us to trust and hope in the Lord and become like him, transformed into his children, sharing his life.  Hope in God makes us enter the range of God’s action and memory that bless and save us.
Read
Wordle: Readings 1-14-15
  • Heb 2:14-18  Jesus shared in blood and Flesh so he might destroy the Devil and free slaves.  He had to become like us to be a merciful, faithful high priest; tested through suffering, he can help those being tested.
  • Ps 105:1-4, 6-9  "The Lord remembers his covenant for ever."  Sing to, proclaim, and serve the Lord!
  • Mk 1:29-39  Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick; Jesus took her hand and the fever left her.  He cured many of the sick and drove out demons, left for a deserted place to pray, then went to nearby villages to preach and expel demons.
Reflect

      • Creighton:  "I came for this":  God so loved the world that he sent his son.  Love has consequences, drawing us in deeper.  Jesus reveals the truth of God and humanity.  His power arises from embracing humanity; he ate with friends, talked with strangers, healed the sick, preached the word, and prayed in quiet.  We are known and find God in prayer, community, living simply, struggling for justice, encountering those at the margins, surrendering to our humanity.  When her fever subsides, Peter’s mother-in-law cooks; as our eyes open, we see what needs to be done.  The messiness of things doesn't negate the world's goodness.  We find God in the poor and join with those working for justice.  “For this have I come.”
        Healing of Peter's mother-in-law/ Bahuet
      • One Bread, One Body:  "Make a covenant with God":  A covenant involves total self-giving, pledging yourself; it takes faith, hope, and love. It's not a business contract, but it's binding.  The Lord remembers his covenant forever.  May we live our part in God's covenant and help others to learn of and live theirs.  God's covenant with us resembles the marriage covenant.  Jesus sealed the New Covenant with his blood:  "This cup is the new covenant in my blood.  Do this... in remembrance of me."  Martyrs for Jesus spilled their blood as a seal to witness their part in the new covenant.
        It's National Migration Week
      • Passionist:  After preaching, expelling spirits, and healing, Jesus simply, humbly rises to pray in solitude, while others ran around looking for him.  Jesus understood his mission and didn't care about popularity or others' expectations.  All he does and is is in harmony with the Good News.  “Let us go” draws us into his mission too.  May we imitate him by praying in solitude, listening for God's voice, and conforming to his will.
      • DailyScripture.net:  "Jesus healed many who were sick":  Jesus' disciples brought their troubles to him because he was ready to deal with them.  "Can you imagine Jesus standing before your bed and you continue sleeping?  It's absurd that you'd stay in bed.  Jesus is already among you offering himself.  God's kingdom is in your midst.  If you can't seize his hand, prostrate yourself at his feet.  If you can't reach his head, wash his feet with your tears. Our repentance is his perfume" (Jerome, paraphrased).  Let Jesus be Lord and healer in your life, family, and community; approach him with faith. His healing restores us to health and to active service.
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