February 21, 2020

Feb. 21

February 21, 2020:  Friday, 6th week, Ordinary Time

How many connections with today can you fine?
Legend below
Listen

For Psalm 112
From today's Mass (Msgr. Ray East, presider)
Pope Francis

 To Orthodox delegation:  Every visit brings a sharing of gifts.  Recall Mary’s visit to her cousin to share her joy at having received God’s gift.  Like Mary and Elizabeth, Churches carry a variety of gifts of the Spirit, to be shared for their mutual joy and benefit.  Your visit to Rome is both an opportunity to learn about the Catholic Church and a chance for us Catholics to receive the gift of the Spirit you bring.

 I thank God for the grace bestowed upon you.  Everything begins with our acknowledgment of grace, our recognition of God’s gracious work, our belief he's the source of goodness in us:  the beauty of the Christian vision of life.   I thank God for the your Oriental Orthodox Churches give.  Your Churches have sealed their faith in Christ in blood and continue to sow seeds of faith and hope, even in areas scarred by violence and war.  May your presence bear fruit in visible communion between us, in that full unity that Jesus ardently desires.

To Council for Legislative Texts:  You assist me in my legislative function, help interpret canon law, aid other departments in matters of canon law, and supervise the legitimacy of texts enacted by Church legislators.  You also help bishops and Episcopal Conferences interpret and apply the law and spread knowledge of and attention to it.  The true meaning of law in the Church needs to be reacquired; juridical norms are necessary in the service of communion, though subordinate to God's word and the Sacraments.  It's important to help people understand the pastoral nature of canon law, how it helps save souls and promote justice.

 Canon law doesn't hinder pastoral effectiveness but rather seeks just, and so pastoral, solutions.  A lawless society without would be deprived of rights (Benedict XVI) .  In the world dictatorships are born and grow; that  can't happen in the Church.  Bishops “judge” the faithful entrusted to them and must remember their work must be towards communion, so penalties must only be used when other means to compliance prove ineffective.  Church law always has a pastoral significance, not only for the community but also for guilty persons' good.  Canonical punishment is medicinal, aimed at recovering the individual; it's a means to personal and common sanctification, rebuilding justice, and realizing the Kingdom....

Read

Wordle: Readings 2-21-14
  • Jas 2:14-24, 26  What good is it if you say you have faith but don't have works?  Faith without works is dead.
  • Ps 112:1-6  "Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands."
  • Mk 8:34-9:1  “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  Whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel's will save it.  What profit is there for you to gain the world and forfeit your life?”
Reflect
  • Creighton:  James doesn't say either that we can be justified by works (there can be no good activity for God's Kingdom without faith) or that faith without works is sufficient for salvation, but rather that living faith is actionable.  True faith is expressed in acts of love.  He doesn't suggest we use works instead of faith, or even that we do works in addition to faith; we do works to benefit others because of our faith.  Believers are responsible for caring for others; belief must lead to action, to following Jesus, who makes the choice clear: “Why gain the world and forfeit your life?”  What action is the Spirit calling you to today?
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Live shamelessly":  Never be ashamed of Jesus, his words, the gospel, God's law and precepts, the sentence to be passed upon the sinful, or being just, cautious, and discreet; rather, be ashamed of immorality, falsehood, flattery, crime, disloyalty, lying, stealing, overeating, stinginess, aloofness, impurity, insults, and betraying secrets.  Our belief in and love for Jesus gives us grace to resist temptation and not fall into sin. "There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus."  Lack of commitment to Jesus leads to shame or a dead conscience, but in Christ we're without shame and live in the dignity of God's children.
  • Passionist:  James says faith without works is dead, as a body that doesn't breathe.  Good works can take many forms:  loving your neighbor, meeting their needs....  What good deed might I do today to enliven my faith?  The psalm calls us to praise God and to give him the glory for the good we experience.  How often do I show my gratitude to God?  Lord, help me to carry my crosses in life and serve you....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it":  In every decision we're shaping our character and helping determine our future.  Some may gain all they desire, then discover they missed the most important things.  Money can't buy heaven, mend a broken heart, or cheer a lonely person.  Jesus asks what we can give in exchange for our life.  We owe God everything, including our lives.  True disciples give up all they have in exchange for life with God who offers immeasurable joy.  The cross leads to victory and freedom.  To know Christ is to know the power of his death and resurrection. The Spirit gives us faith to know Jesus, power to live the gospel, and courage to witness the gospel's joy and truth to others....
Dress legend
  • '1' button, thanks to OneLife LA:  You do well to believe God is one, but even demons do (1st reading)
  • 'Money bag' tie pin:  Riches shall be in the house of those who fear the Lord; well for those who are gracious and lend (psalm)
  • 'Lights' tie":  Light shines through the darkness for the upright (psalm)
  • 'Angel' pin:  "Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son will be ashamed of when he comes... with the holy angels” (gospel)
  • 'Cross' pin:  Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me (gospel)
  • Green shirt and suspenders:  Ordinary Time season
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