February 12, 2018: Monday, 6th week, Ordinary Time
- 'Roses' pin: The rich will pass away like the flower of the field (1st reading)
- 'Sun' pin: The rich will fade away as the sun dries up the grass (1st reading)
- 'Owl' pin: Ask God in faith for wisdom (1st reading)
- 'Car with mouth' pin: The law of your mouth...
- Gold- and silver-colored accessories: ...is more precious than gold and silver (psalm)
- 'Signs' tie: The Pharisees sought a sign; “Why? None will be given.” (gospel)
- 'Boat' tie bar: Jesus got into the boat again (gospel)
- Green shirt: Ordinary Time season
For 1st reading
- We will rise again/ Haas: gentle, upbeat (perseverance)
- Be Thou my Vision/ Forgaill: traditional (Slane), Rutter
For Psalm 119
- Psalm 119:1-8/ Silver
- Psalm 119:9-16: Pure/ Silver
- Psalm 119:33-40/ Silver
- Psalm 119:97-104: Meditate/ Silver
- Psalm 119:105-112/ Silver
- Psalm 119: Lord, I love your commands/ Celoni: sheet music and demo
- Signs/ Emmerson (OBOB reflection, gospel-inspired)
Christian patience is neither resignation nor an attitude of defeat but a virtue of those on the journey, moving forward. When you're on a journey, bad things can happen. When a child is born sick or disabled, the parents' attitude says a lot about patience. Patient parents thank God for the new life and bear the child's life with love to the end; the joy of having that child gives them strength.
Patience carries a sense of responsibility to bear suffering with joy, not let it go. 'Patience' means 'bearing with,' not entrusting problems to another. Patience is also the wisdom of dialoguing with limits in life. We see the patience of God our Father, who led his stubborn people whenever they strayed. He shows this patience to each of us too, accompanying us, waiting for the right time. God sent his Son to enter into patience, take up His mission, and offer himself decisively.
Our persecuted sisters and brothers in the Middle East are chased away because they're Christians, but they're determined to remain Christians, embracing patience as the Lord did. Lord, give your people patience to bear their trials....Read
- Jas 1:1-11 Consider it joy when you encounter trials; testing produces perseverance. Persevere so you may be complete. If you lack wisdom, ask God in faith, and you'll receive it. The lowly should take pride in high standing, and the rich in lowliness. The rich will fade away in the midst of their pursuits.
- Ps 119:67-68, 71-72, 75-76 "Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live." I hold to your promise. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
- Mk 8:11-13 The Pharisees argued with Jesus, seeking a sign to test him. Jesus, sighing: “Why do you seek a sign? None will be given to you.” He left by boat....
Reflect
- Fr. Reynaldo Matunog homily video: We too can want a sign...
- Creighton: St. Apollonia, Deaconess, patron saint of dentists and toothache sufferers, was attacked because she was Christian, her teeth were knocked out, and she was burned to death. She was extolled by Saint Augustine for her great courage and love of God. She had extraordinary courage, and the Church selected her to serve as deaconess. The Ordinary Time readings before Lent emphasize Christ's call to follow him as disciples and spread the good news. In today's gospel, a frustrated Jesus sighs because his listeners demand proof of his authority, though he's repeatedly given it through healings and other signs, rather than answering his call. God invites us to give the gift trust, the fruit of faith. In the 1st reading, we're also challenged to faith, to ask for God's gifts in faith, to be willing to live in faith (vs. certainty). If I'm certain, I'm in control, secure in myself, and don't need to trust or give of myself. But certainty and control are illusions. James then speaks of how the poor need to think of their dignity as God's children, and the rich need to keep from becoming secure in their riches but humbly remember they'll die their wealth gives them no certainty. As we approach Lent, consider that everything authentic about us depends on God’s compassion and mercy. If we're tried, we must consider it a gift, and opportunity to ask in faith for God’s help and recognize our dependence upon God and others. Such humility reflects truth and so will bring us life and joy. If a baptismal candle of faith isn't lighted in my heart, I need “spiritual matches” to reignite the fire of God’s presence in my life.
- One Bread, One Body: "Looking for a sign?" On Ash Wednesday hundreds of millions of Catholics will be walking around with a sign of the cross on their foreheads. Will people seeking a sign be blinded and miss it? Many people wear brand names or body art; others use their bodies to glorify God, wearing a cross and cheerful face and dressing modestly as a sign of their love for God. May we be signs of Christ's love leading people to Jesus. "Sign, sign, everywhere a sign...."
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| St. Appolonia |
- Passionist: Olympic athletes have trained for years, persevering through trials, injuries, and homesickness. Today's 1st reading tells the importance of trials and perseverance; they can remind us of God's grace and love and help us run the race. Perseverance is nurtured by daily commitment. To grow in our relationship with God, we need passion for our faith. Nurturing faith daily will strengthen our endurance and keep us focused on Jesus.
- DailyScripture.net: ""No sign shall be given to this generation": Signs tell us what's ahead. The people expected signs would accompany the Messiah's coming. False messiahs had made extraordinary claims to attract followers, such as claiming that they could part the Jordan or make Jerusalem's walls fall. But Jesus knew the leaders were more interested in signs to prove they were right and Jesus wrong. Jesus revealed they were arguing, testing him, because they didn't believe he spoke in the Father's name and wanted to discredit him. No miracle would convince them because their hearts were proud. Simeon prophesied Jesus would be "a sign that will be opposed...." Jesus gave the Pharisees the sign of himself and his resurrection. We need no further proof. Jesus gives us eyes and ears of faith to recognize him. The Lord reveals himself to us in his word, the Eucharist, creation, and circumstances. If we seek him, we'll find him, and he'll give us what we need and never leave us....
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