Feb. 9

February 9, 2018:  Friday, 5th week, Ordinary Time

See about a dozen connections with today?Legend below

Listen

For gospel

• O Son of God in Galilee (O Thou who once in Galilee)/ Hoppe:  lyrics+

• By nature deaf to things divine/ Hoppe

• A wretched man, both dumb and deaf

• Psalm 81/ Silver

• When you say nothing at all/ Overstreet, Schlitz  (homily)

Pope Francis on human trafficking

To the Santa Marta Group:  Thank you for your essential contribution to addressing the causes and effects of the scourge of human trafficking.  I hope your conference has brought into clearer light the interplay between the global and local aspects of trafficking.  This modern slavery is so widespread, even in prosperous societies.

God’s cry to Cain, “Where is your brother?,” challenges us to examine how society tolerates and encourages exploitation of the vulnerable.  Initiatives to combat human trafficking must go beyond dismantling criminal structures to consider the broader issues such as responsible use of technology and media, and the ethical implications of models of economic growth that place profit over persons.  May your discussions raise awareness of the need to support victims by helping them reintegrate into society and recover their dignity.  Bringing God’s mercy to the suffering is essential to the healing and renewal of society.

Read

"the hardness of their hearts"
(animate)

• 1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19  Ahijah met Jeroboam, took off his new cloak, tore it into twelve pieces, and said:  “Take ten pieces; the Lord says: ‘I'll tear away the kingdom from Solomon and give you ten tribes.  One shall remain for the sake of David and Jerusalem.’”  Israel went into rebellion.

• Ps 81:10-11ab, 12-15  "I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice."  Have no strange god.  I led you from Egypt.  My people didn't obey, so I gave them up an ;they walked on their own.  If they would hear me, I'd humble their enemies.

• Mk 7:31-37  People brought Jesus a deaf-mute.  Jesus put his finger into the man's ears, spat, touched the man's tongue, prayed, and the man was healed.  “He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”

Reflect

• Fr. Reynaldo Matunog homily video:  Open your mind and heart.  Speak with care and compassion, or not at all.

• Creighton:  How is Jesus is calling me to be open?  I can't solve the world's problems but can do small things, my part, and bring some portion of human misery to an end.  

• One Bread, One Body:  "When something isn't better than nothing":  Solomon was the wisest person ever.  He settled a dispute between two harlots claiming to be mother of the same baby by starting to cut the baby in half; the woman who volunteered to give up her baby was recognized as the true mother.  When his kingdom was divided, people reasoned that some was better than none, but "every divided kingdom is laid waste."  The body of Christ, and the world, have been torn.  Churches, marriages, and families are divided, broken.  Many think they at least have something, but our disunity is destructive....

Healing of a deaf-mute

• Passionist:  "Two views of prophets":  Prophets announce important events among God’s people. History is written through prophecies and their fulfillment.  When we hear of Jesus healing the deaf-mute, we come at the prophets the opposite way:  the Old Testament prepares us for what will happen, but in Jesus we see fulfillment.  Jesus' miracles are God’s power at work among us.  At Baptism we became prophets, priests, and kings/queens.  We bear a permanent fragrance.  Our ears, eyes, and mouth were touched with the prayer of prophecy fulfilled.  We were anointed with chrism and our dignity proclaimed.  The prayer speaks of how God opens our ears to hear God, opens our eyes to see God's wonders in people and events; and opens our lips to laugh, learn, praise God, and do Jesus' work. As prophets we announce what will become history, we proclaim the victory of the cross, we proclaim God’s wisdom though some see it as foolishness.  We're prophets of hope and mercy....

• DailyScripture.net:  "He's done all things well":  Whatever Jesus did, he did well, demonstrating God's beauty and goodness.  Jesus showed consideration for the deaf-mute's predicament, taking him aside (to remove him from embarrassment) and putting his fingers into the man's ears to identify with his infirmity and awaken faith).  "The Spirit is called the finger of God. When the Lord puts his fingers into the deaf-mute's ears, he was opening the man's soul to faith through the gifts of the Spirit" (Gregory the Great).  The people's response testifies to Jesus' care for others.  The Lord treats each of us, and calls us to treat others, with kindness and compassion. The Spirit enables us to love as Jesus loves.  Do I?

• Universalis:  St. Teilo, monk; see also New Advent.

Dress legend

• 'Roads' tie:  Ahijah met Jeroboam on the road (1st reading); Jesus went by way of Sidon into the Decapolis (gospel)

• 'Heart' pin:  "I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts" (psalm)

• 'Walker' tie pin:  They walked according to their own counsels (psalm)

• 'Hand' tie pin:  Jesus puts his finger into the deaf-mute's ears... (gospel); "if they'd walk in my ways, I'd turn my hand against their foes" (psalm)

• 'Car with mouth' pin:  Jesus touched the deaf-mute's tongue (gospel)

• 'Phone' tie bar:  "Hear my voice" (psalm); deaf man's hearing restored (gospel)

• 'OneLife LA' button:  Help human trafficking victims [and all the vulnerable] to recover [/preserve] their dignity (Pope's address)

• Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season

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