January 10, 2018

Jan. 10

January 10, 2018:  Wednesday, 1st week, Ordinary Time

  • 'Phone' tie bar:  The Lord 'called' Samuel (1st reading) and the psalmist
  • 'Clocks' suspenders:  I've waited, waited for the Lord (psalm)
  • 'Scroll' pin:  In the scroll it's prescribed for me to do your will (psalm)
  • 'Heart' pin:  Your law is within my heart (psalm)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  Jesus grasped Simon's mother-in-law's hand and helped her up (gospel)
  • 'Doctor's office' tie:  Jesus healed Simon's mother-in-law and many who were sick... (gospel)
  • 'Car' tie pin:  ...and 'drove' out many demons (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
Listen


  • Fever/ Cooley, Blackwell (gospel-inspired :-)
Gloria settings (in honor of today's General Audience*)
* I realize my selection of these (mainly) classical settings is ironic since Pope Francis is talking about our echoing the angels' song, and most folks don't actually sing these settings themselves.
Pope Francis General Audience
As we pray the Gloria at Mass, we echo the angels' song at Jesus' birth and praise the mercy of the Father in sending his Son to take away the sins of the world.
The Opening Prayer is also called the 'Collect' because it gathers up and presents our individual prayers to God.  Without silence after the priest's "Let us pray," we risk neglecting the recollection of the soul; silence is being ready to listen to your heart and the Holy Spirit's voice.
By reflecting on these rich prayers and uniting ourselves with the Church in lifting them to God, the liturgy becomes for each Christian a school of prayer.
Read
  • 1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20  While Samuel and Eli were asleep. the Lord called Samuel, who answered, “Here I am” and ran to Eli:  “You called. ”  Eli answered, “I didn't; go back to sleep.”  Again God called Samuel, who went to Eli, who answered, “No; go to sleep.”  The Lord called Samuel a third time, and he again went to Eli, who now understood God was calling him and said, “If you're called again, reply, ‘Speak, Lord; your servant is listening.’”  The Lord called again, and Samuel so answered.  Samuel grew; the Lord was with him.  Israel came to know Samuel as a prophet.
  • Ps 40:2, 5, 7-10  "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will."  I have waited for the Lord, and he heard my cry.  Blessed those who trust the Lord.  You didn't want oblation but gave me ears open to obedience.  To do your will is my delight.
  • Mk 1:29-39 Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick; Jesus took her hand; the fever left her.  He cured many of the sick, drove out demons, left for a deserted place to pray, then went to nearby villages to preach and heal.
Reflect
  • Msgr. Jim Halley homily video:  Jesus had compassion on the marginalized and chose to heal them.  May we choose to contact and help the needy.
  • Creighton:  Samuel, sleeping, believes he hears Eli calling, but once Eli tells him to say "Speak, Lord; your servant is listening" if he's called again, he did, and the Lord gave him insight, wisdom, and strength as a prophet.  Listening is so important!  Chatter bombards us and drowns out our thoughts and opportunities for reflection, but we need to listen and be open to what we hear.  Today's gospel shows Jesus as a contemplative in action, working wonders and seeking out time for prayer, which I expect re-energized and further empowered him.  May we turn off the chatter, or tune it out, and use the opportunity to pray, reflect, listen, and allow God to guide us.
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Seek wisdom":  Eli wisely provided Samuel the right direction by leading him to the Lord.  "If you see a man of prudence, seek him out."  Look for prudent, Spirit-led individuals.  Absalom sought counsel from Ahithophel and Hushai on how to kill King David, his father; Hushai's advice led to Absalom's death.  Judas' counsel from the Jewish leaders led to his death, and Jesus'.  Timothy sought out Paul's advice and prospered; Cornelius sought Peter's advice and was blessed with the Spirit.  Seek wisdom by seeking the godly.
    Christ healing the mother of Simon Peter's wife/ Bridges
  • Passionist:  Evil in the world can seem to drown out God's voice.  Where's the voice of justice?  Where are the beatitudes, compassion, care, and Jesus' teachings being lived out?  God’s voice can still be heard.  God keeps calling, working to heal, spread truth and his reign, but even wise prophets can fail to recognize it.  Sometimes it takes “little people” like boy Samuel to get us to wake up.  Just as Jesus needed to go into the desert, I need to take time to pray, listen, surrender my perspectives and longings to God, and answer God's call to be more present to people in need, work for justice, and fight for gospel principles....
    Healing of Peter's mother-in-law/ Bahuet
  • 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."
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)