Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": 2nd Sun., Ordinary Time

Mass for Migrants and Refugees homily: Jesus' response to the disciples in today's gospel, “Come and see,” is for us too; it's an invitation to overcome our fears so as to encounter, welcome, know, and acknowledge others. Authentic encounter doesn’t end with welcome; we also need to protect, promote and integrate.

New arrivals need to learn and respect the laws, culture, and traditions of the countries that take them in, but the local communities need to understand the hopes and potential of the newly arrived, as well as their fears and vulnerabilities. It's not easy to enter into another culture, to understand different people's thoughts and experiences. Local communities are sometimes afraid the newly arrived will disturb the established order, and the newly arrived are afraid of confrontation, judgment, discrimination, and failure.

Having doubts and fears is no sin; the sin is allowing fear to determine our responses, limit our choices, compromise respect and generosity, feed hostility and rejection. The sin is refusing to encounter, because every encounter is an opportunity to encounter the Lord. May we all learn to love others, strangers, as ourselves.

Angelus: Today's gospel introduces us into Ordinary Time perfectly because it reminds us of our call to follow Jesus in everyday life. Ordinary Time animates and confirms our journey of faith in daily life, moving between epiphany and discipleship, manifestation and vocation. A guide is essential for this journey towards Jesus. John the Baptist plays this role for Andrew and the other disciple, pointing out for them the Lamb of God. When they ask Jesus where he lives, he tells them, “Come and see,” and their lives are never the same.

We can have experiences, accomplish things, and establish relationships, but only Jesus can give our lives full meaning and make our efforts fruitful. Hearsay is never enough to find and encounter Jesus; we must search for the Master ourselves and discover where he lives. The disciples’ question, “Where do you live?,” expresses the desire to be with Jesus. The life of faith consists in a desire to be with him and always search for where he lives. The Sacraments, prayer, and meditation on God's Word are the keys to living your faith well.

Every stranger who knocks on our door is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ, who identifies himself with the foreigner. Our response to migration should be welcoming, protecting, promoting, and integrating.

Read

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19 Lord called sleeping Samuel, who answered, “Here I am” and ran to Eli, who said, "I didn't call you.".... 4th answer: “Speak; your servant is listening.” Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him.

Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10 "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will." I've waited for the Lord, and he heard my cry. You gave me ears open to obedience. You didn't want holocausts; I said, "I come." and announced your justice.

1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20 The body is for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. Your bodies are members of Christ; you're one with him. Avoid immorality. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you; you're not your own. Glorify God in your body.

Jn 1:35-42 John with two disciples: “Behold, the Lamb of God.” They heard and followed Jesus. Jesus/disciples: “What are you looking for?” / “Where are you staying?” / “Come and you'll see.” They went, saw, and stayed with him. Andrew to Simon: “We've found the Messiah” and brought him to Jesus who said, “You're Simon; you'll be called Cephas” (Peter).

Reflect

Creighton: Today's readings feature powerful mentors. Samuel didn't understand the Lord was calling to him, but Eli helped him understand; then Samuel responded to God. Paul mentored the Corinthians, saying, “Your body is a temple of the Spirit.... You are not your own.... Glorify God in your body.” John the Baptist was a spiritual mentor: he told two disciples to “Behold the Lamb of God” in Jesus. Trust is essential to a mentor/mentee relationship. John’s disciples had great trust in him: open to his guidance, they willingly followed Jesus as Messiah. The trust also extended among family as Andrew brought his brother to follow Jesus.

How can I be a spiritual mentor to others? When can I invite someone to hear God’s call? How can I challenge someone making a bad choice? How can I support other believers? How can I be open to the mentors in my life who point me to the Lamb of God?

One Bread, One Body: "Our only hope" is Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is 'Messiah' ('Anointed One'), 'Rabbi' ('Teacher'), "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He'll call and change our names. bring good news to the poor, "proclaim liberty, recovery of sight, and release, and announce a year of favor from the Lord." Jesus is replacing our culture of death with a civilization of love and life. There is certain hope in Jesus alone.

The boy Samuel

Passionist: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will”: Listen, hear, then respond. Samuel heard the Lord's call, even though at first he was confused about it; John, Andrew, and Simon heard it too. The Lord calls us too, and, if we listen and aren't distracted, we'll hear him. May we listen, hear, and respond to God's daily call. Sometimes it's clear; sometimes like Samuel we need others to help us know what God is asking of us. But if we listening and are willing, we'll be able to respond joyfully and without hesitation....

DailyScripture.net: "We've found the Messiah!" In calling Jesus the Lamb of God, John the Baptist signifies Jesus' mission as Redeemer. As the blood of the Passover Lamb delivered the Israelites, Jesus freely offered his life for us; his blood frees us from our slavery to sin, its wages, and destruction of body and soul. The Holy Spirit revealed Jesus' nature to John, who bore witness to it. God gives us his Spirit who makes the Christ known to us through the gift of faith.

Humble John pointed beyond himself to the Christ. When two of John's disciples began to seek Jesus, Jesus invited them into his company, meeting them halfway, asking them what they were looking for. Jesus asks the same of each of us, but only God make us know our purpose. As we draw near to the Lord, we learn....

Dress legend

'Runner' tie pin: Samuel ran to Eli (1st reading)

'Car with mouth' pin, 'musical note' tie pin: The Lord put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to God; I didn't restrain my lips (psalm)

'Scroll' pin: "In the written scroll it is prescribed for me" (psalm)

Heart: your law is within my heart! (psalm)

'Dove': Whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him; your body is a temple of the Spirit (2nd reading)

'Money bag' pin: You have been purchased at a price (2nd reading)

'?': Don't you know...? (×2) (2nd reading); What are you looking for? Where are you staying? (gospel)

'Phone' tie bar: "Here I am; you called me" (1st reading)

'Clocks' suspenders: I've waited for the Lord (psalm); "it was about 4" (gospel)

Tie with people: Your bodies are members of Christ (2nd reading)

'Lamb' tie bar: John: "Behold the Lamb of God" (gospel)

'Eyeball' tie pin: "Come and see" (gospel)

'Rock' tie pin: “Simon, you'll be called Cephas” (Peter, rock) (gospel)

Green shirt: Ordinary Time season

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Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"

January 14, 2018

2nd Sun., Ordinary Time

January 14, 2018: Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

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