February 1, 2017

Feb. 1

February 1, 2017:  Wednesday, 4th week, Ordinary Time

See 15 connections with today?
Legend below

Listen
For the gospel

For Psalm 103
Pope Francis Audience
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul confirms a young Christian community in its faith and speaks of the meaning of Jesus' cross and resurrection for each believer.  Christ is the firstfruits of the future resurrection.  Before the mystery of death, and the loss of loved ones, we're challenged to hope in the Lord’s promise of eternal life.  Paul tells the Thessalonians to wear the hope of salvation like a helmet, knowing that, because Christ is risen, the object of our hope is certain.  Christian hope is the expectation of something that's already been accomplished and that will be realized for each of us, as a pregnant woman waits every day for her baby's arrival.  Hope is a way of life:  living daily in expectation of the resurrection.  Jesus died for us so that whether we wake or sleep, we may live together with him.  We pray that those who have gone before us live forever in Christ.  May the Lord strengthen us in the expectation that we'll be united with him, and our loved ones, in the joy of the resurrection.  More
Read
    Wordle: Readings 2-4-15
  • Heb 12:4-7, 11-15  You've forgotten the exhortation:  Son, don't disdain the Lord's discipline or lose heart when he reproves you; he disciplines the ones he loves.  Endure your trials.  What father doesn't discipline his children?  Discipline seems a cause for pain but brings righteousness.  Strengthen your hands and knees.  Make straight paths, so what's lame may be healed.  Strive for peace and holiness, and let no one be deprived of God's grace.
  • Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a  "The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him."  Bless the Lord!  Don't forget his compassion, kindness, and justice....
  • Mk 6:1-6  Jesus came to his native place and taught in the synagogue.  They said, “Where did he get all this wisdom?  What mighty deeds he works!  Isn't he Mary's son, the carpenter?  They took offense.  Jesus:  “A prophet has no honor in his native place or among his kin.”  He couldn't perform mighty deeds there, except for curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them....
Reflect
    • Creighton:  We need God's discipline to form us into his stewards, but our own voice can drown his out.  When we know we need to change, the "old" and "new" persons can be in conflict.  The change doesn't feel natural, so it's easy to go back to our old ways.  Invite God in and let him take control.  God brings us things that drop us to our knees so we can see his love for us.  God puts people in our lives who understand his discipline and have lived through journeys of refinement.  When we let God be pilot, he'll steer us the right way.  Discipline requires mental and sometimes physical shift, changing how we think.  God wants to transform us into a new, Christ-like creation.  When we let God's discipline transform us, we can truly believe we're his children....
    • One Bread, One Body:  "The discipline of true love":  To fight sin, we need to be willing to die rather than sin.  The Lord often gives us this grace through discipline.  If we truly love people, we'll hate sin because it harms them.  To resist sin, we need the Lord's discipline.  There can be no true love without discipline.  "Discipline... is not accessible to many," but "discover and seek her and you will find her." "Wear her as your robe of glory; bear her as your crown."
      Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth/ Olsen
    • Passionist:  When Jesus returned to his hometown and began to teach, his neighbors took offense at him ("found him an obstacle"), offended that one they thought they knew pretended to be greater and more mysterious.  Jesus lamented their reaction.  Elsewhere in Mark those close to Jesus couldn't recognize his depth and beauty.  His own family thought he was “out of his mind.”  Jesus’ own disciples seemed baffled by him, not understanding who he was.  On one level, today's gospel reminds us of the mystery and depth of Jesus’ human and transcendent identity.  So it's not surprising his family and neighbors struggled to understand; we share that struggle of faith.  But on another level, the failure of the locals to accept Jesus reveals how our preconceptions can keep us from appreciating the people and events that surround us.  We can fail to recognize the dignity and talents of those we live and work with.  We can be deaf to the sufferings and joys of those close to us.  How sad if we take our family for granted or become indifferent to others.
    • DailyScripture.net:  "Jesus marveled because of their unbelief":  People familiar to us can be our worst critics:  family, neighbors, co-workers....  Jesus was severely tested when he returned home as a rabbi with disciples.  He startled his audience with a seeming rebuke that no prophet can receive honor among his own.  The locals took offense at him and didn't listen; he was a mere workman, a carpenter, a layman with neither formal training nor distinguished family background.  Familiarity can breed contempt.  If people come together to hate and don't understand, all they'll see is their own point of view, and they won't love and accept others.  How do I treat those disagreeable to me?
    Dress legend
    • 'Blood drop' pin:  You haven't struggled to the point of shedding blood (1st reading)
    • 'Heart' pin:  Don't lose heart when reproved (1st reading)
    • 'Classroom' tie with children:  Don't forget the exhortation addressed to you as children (1st reading); the Lord is just toward children's children (psalm); Jesus taught in the synagogue (gospel); Catholic Schools Week
    • 'Owl' tie pin:  "What kind of wisdom has been given him?" (gospel)
    • 'Hammer' and 'nail' tie pins:  "Isn't he the carpenter?"  (gospel)
    • 'Hands' pin:  Strengthen your drooping hands (1st reading); Jesus cured a few sick people by laying hands on them. (gospel)
    • 'Feet' pin:  Make straight paths for your feet (1st reading)
    • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  Strive for peace with everyone (1st reading)
    • 'Helmet' tie pin:  Wear hope like a helmet (Pope's audience)
    • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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