Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": March 27

OneLife LA sign button: "Unless you see signs... you won't believe"; "This was the 2nd sign" (gospel)

Rose-colored shirt for Laetare Sunday (yesterday); Jesus made the water wine in Cana (gospel) [we know the wine was good don't know what kind it was]

Listen

No need and The Isaiah Song/ Ward: about (1st reading)

Read

Is 65:17-21 I'll create new heavens and earth. There shall be rejoicing and happiness; I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people a delight. No longer shall there be weeping; they'll live in their houses and eat the fruit of their vineyards...

Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me." Sing praise and give thanks: his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will.

Jn 4:43-54 When a royal official heard Jesus had arrived in Galilee, he went and asked him to come heal his son. Jesus / official: “Unless you see signs, you won't believe.” / “Sir, come down before my child dies.” / “Go; he'll live.” He believed and left. The boy began to recover at that time; he and his household came to believe.

Reflect

Creighton: From today's 1st reading we get a sense of the extraordinary life our Lord promises us, and the gospel provides insight about getting there. Isaiah's prophecy provides insight into what life could be here and what awaits us when we die. God provides us the means to minimize suffering and sadness and to maximize the well-being of all. During Lent we do what we can to address our shortcomings and become the best we can, to follow Jesus' teachings and example, knowing he'll accompany us along the way. The gospel both highlights Jesus' healing power and addresses the value of faith. The official wanted Jesus to visit his dying son to save him. Jesus healed him but chastised the man for seeking “signs and wonders” to believe. John reminds us of the importance of faith in God's word, daily conversation with God, and trust that he'll answer us. If we're open to God’s words, seek good in all we do, and have faith, we'll have a long, beautiful, joyous life with God.

One Bread, One Body: "Let your voice rejoice": God creates people anew in Baptism and conversion, but people don't always rejoice over it. God's creation isn't flawed. All creation reflects God's glory and love, but many of us have warped values. If we're not rejoicing over creation, we're listening to the wrong voices. God is creating new heavens and earth and a new kingdom of newly recreated people; there will be no more weeping or grumbling. May we rejoice in the Lord and his creation, not linger in scoffers, repent, and believe....

Passionist: In today's gospel, Jesus doesn't seem happy about the search for signs, but today we still look for signs. People look for cute stories, cruel jabs, or sad relationship episodes; they want constant stimulation via signs, tweets, messages, and breaking news. Instead of seeking signs, let's create them, e.g. by hugging someone suffering a loss, standing up for peace and justice in my community, caring for those in need, asking a server how her day is going and actively listening....

DailyScripture.net: "Jesus, Divine Physician": Isaiah prophesied God would restore his people and re-create heaven and earth. Jesus' miracles manifest God's presence and kingdom. When an official heard of Jesus’ preaching and miracles, he sought him out for an extraordinary favor; it took courage for him to travel twenty miles to find this carpenter; he had to swallow his pride and put up with ridicule. Then Jesus seemed to put him off, likely to test his faith, then sent him home with the assurance his prayer had been heard. It was probably hard for him to return with only that assurance. Couldn't Jesus have come to his house and laid his hands on the child? But the official believed and started home with faith and hope. Before he could even make it back, he heard his son had recovered. Jesus' healings show his kindness and love. How/where do I need healing, pardon, change, and restoration?

Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"