Divine Mercy Sunday Second Sunday of Easter Lectionary Reflection April 8, 2018

April 8, 2018: Divine Mercy Sunday Second Sunday of Easter

Catholic Social Teaching: Care for God’s Creation

Serious ecological problems call for an effective change of mentality leading to the adoption of new lifestyles, “in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness and communion with others for the sake of the common good are the factors that determine consumer choices, savings and investments”. These lifestyles should be inspired by sobriety, temperance, and self-discipline at both the individual and social levels. There is a need to break with the logic of mere consumption and promote forms of agricultural and industrial production that respect the order of creation and satisfy the basic human needs of all. These attitudes, sustained by a renewed awareness of the interdependence of all the inhabitants of the earth, will contribute to eliminating the numerous causes of ecological disasters as well as guaranteeing the ability to respond quickly when such disasters strike peoples and territories.The ecological question must not be faced solely because of the frightening prospects that environmental destruction represents; rather it must above all become a strong motivation for an authentic solidarity of worldwide dimensions. (486) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Readings

First Reading: Acts 4:32-35
Psalm: 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Second Reading: 1st John 5:1-6
Gospel: John 20:19-31 (Cycles A, B and C)

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The transmission of the Christian faith consists primarily in proclaiming Jesus Christ in order to lead others to faith in him. From the beginning, the first disciples burned with the desire to proclaim Christ: “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”‘ It And they invite people of every era to enter into the joy of their communion with Christ:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life – the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us- that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete. (425) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction Divine Mercy Sunday Second Sunday of Easter, Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

John 20:19, 21, 26

The promise of peace that runs through the entire Old Testament finds its fulfilment in the very person of Jesus. Peace, in fact, is the messianic attribute par excellence, in which all other beneficial effects of salvation are included. The Hebrew word “shalom” expresses this fullness of meaning in its etymological sense of “completeness” (cf. Is 9:5ff; Mic 5:1-4). The kingdom of the Messiah is precisely the kingdom of peace (cf. Job 25:2; Ps 29:11; 37:11; 72:3,7; 85:9,11; 119:165; 125:5, 128:6; 147:14; Song 8:10; Is 26:3,12; 32:17f.; 52:7; 54:10; 57:19; 60:17; 66:12; Hag 2:9; Zech 9:10; et al.). Jesus “is our peace” (Eph 2:14). He has broken down the dividing wall of hostility among people, reconciling them with God (cf. Eph 2:14-16). This is the very effective simplicity with which Saint Paul indicates the radical motivation spurring Christians to undertake a life and a mission of peace.

On the eve of his death, Jesus speaks of his loving relation with the Father and the unifying power that this love bestows upon his disciples. It is a farewell discourse which reveals the profound meaning of his life and can be considered a summary of all his teaching. The gift of peace is the seal on his spiritual testament: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (Jn 14:27). The words of the Risen Lord will not be any different; every time that he meets his disciples they receive from him the greeting and gift of peace: “Peace be with you” (Lk 24:36; Jn 20:19,21,26). (491)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

Faith is transmission of love. Love from the Father to the Son. Love from the Son to those who believe. Love of believers to keep the commandments offering light and hope in the world. A chain of love never unbroken by the Divine, a gift for us to live and share. For love exists not as a concrete fact, but ever present manifestation of everlasting belief.

Jesus desires us to experience that love even when we doubt, for He returned to Thomas. With Jesus, His love is persistent without being pestering. He desires not to be a nuisance, but nudges us to surrender into Divine embrace. Something so powerful, we only deny it with our freewill stubbornness listing us away.

Divine love manifests strength and courage. The strength of love to overcome discord, remedy sorrow, affirm mission and purpose hope. Love and courage may seem at opposite perimeters of the spectrum, but courage rises out of love to remedy deficits of communication, injustice and despair.

We can close doors all around us to communication, dialogue, support mainly out of fear of unknown possibilities. Sitting amidst our closed doors Jesus offers us peace. The courage to get out of our chair, grasp the door handle to at least take a peek into the ocean of mercy awaiting us when we step out of our isolation into sharing faith with love in action. A faith realizing we own nothing and what we think we possess is really God’s. If we live with one heart and mind in union with the Father, we should only use resources we need not lavishing for desires. For that witnesses to the resurrection of the Lord, if we share justly and equitably not selfishly.

What signs and presence of Jesus have you seen in your life, even today, that gives you life? How will you write those experiences literally and figuratively in the world that you and others may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? An act of faith to continue the manifestation of the transmission of Divine love.

Individual Reflection: John 20:19-31
What doors do you need to open in your life of faith?

Family Reflection: 1st John 5:1-6
Register your acts of kindness to honor the memory of Dr Martin Luther King Jr:
http://www.mlk50forward.org/love-for-humanity-50-acts-of-service-or-kindness-campaign/

Prayer: The Divine Mercy Chaplet in song
https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0919C1NU

Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born April 3, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

 

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Fifth Sunday of Lent Lectionary Reflection March 18, 2018

March 18, 2018: Fifth Sunday of Lent

Catholic Social Teaching: Care for Creation
The principle of the universal destination of goods also applies naturally to water, considered in the Sacred Scriptures as a symbol of purification (cf. Ps 51:4; Jn 13:8) and of life (cf. Jn 3:5; Gal 3:27). “As a gift from God, water is a vital element essential to survival; thus, everyone has a right to it”. Satisfying the needs of all, especially of those who live in poverty, must guide the use of water and the services connected with it. Inadequate access to safe drinking water affects the well-being of a huge number of people and is often the cause of disease, suffering, conflicts, poverty and even death. For a suitable solution to this problem, it “must be set in context in order to establish moral criteria based precisely on the value of life and the respect for the rights and dignity of all human beings”. (484) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Readings Cycle B
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm: 51: 3-4, 12-13, 134-15
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
Gospel: John 12:20-33

Cycle A readings may replace the Cycle B readings for this Sunday. Cycle A readings are used at liturgies with the third scrutiny for those preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The desire to embrace his Father’s plan of redeeming love inspired Jesus’ whole life, for his redemptive passion was the very reason for his Incarnation. And so he asked, “And what shallI say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour.” And again, “Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?” From the cross, just before “It is finished”, he said, “I thirst.” (607) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Those who recognize their own poverty before God, regardless of their situation in life, receive particular attention from him: when the poor man seeks, the Lord answers; when he cries out, the Lord listens. The divine promises are addressed to the poor: they will be heirs to the Covenant between God and his people. God’s saving intervention will come about through a new David (cf. Ezek 34:22-31), who like King David — only more so — will be defender of the poor and promoter of justice; he will establish a new covenant and will write a new law in the hearts of believers (cf. Jer 31:31-34).

When sought or accepted with a religious attitude, poverty opens one to recognizing and accepting the order of creation. In this perspective, the “rich man” is the one who places his trust in his possessions rather than in God, he is the man who makes himself strong by the works of his own hands and trusts only in his own strength. Poverty takes on the status of a moral value when it becomes an attitude of humble availability and openness to God, of trust in him. This attitude makes it possible for people to recognize the relativity of economic goods and to treat them as divine gifts to be administered and shared, because God is the first owner of all goods. (324)

 

Jeremiah 31:33

The precepts of the sabbatical and jubilee years constitute a kind of social doctrine in miniature. They show how the principles of justice and social solidarity are inspired by the gratuitousness of the salvific event wrought by God, and that they do not have a merely corrective value for practices dominated by selfish interests and objectives, but must rather become, as a prophecy of the future, the normative points of reference to which every generation in Israel must conform if it wishes to be faithful to its God.

These principles become the focus of the Prophets’ preaching, which seeks to internalize them. God’s Spirit, poured into the human heart — the Prophets proclaim — will make these same sentiments of justice and solidarity, which reside in the Lord’s heart, take root in you (cf. Jer 31:33 and Ezek 36:26-27). Then God’s will, articulated in the Decalogue given on Sinai, will be able to take root creatively in man’s innermost being. This process of internalization gives rise to greater depth and realism in social action, making possible the progressive universalization of attitudes of justice and solidarity, which the people of the Covenant are called to have towards all men and women of every people and nation. (25)

 

Psalm 51:4

See Catholic Social Teaching theme for the week and Family Reflection action

John 12:24

When — concerning areas or realities that involve fundamental ethical duties — legislative or political choices contrary to Christian principles and values are proposed or made, the Magisterium teaches that “a well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political programme or an individual law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals. In cases where it is not possible to avoid the implementation of such political programmes or to block or abrogate such laws, the Magisterium teaches that a parliamentary representative, whose personal absolute opposition to these programmes or laws is clear and known to all, may legitimately support proposals aimed at limiting the damage caused by such programmes or laws and at diminishing their negative effects on the level of culture and public morality. In this regard, a typical example of such a case would be a law permitting abortion. The representative’s vote, in any case, cannot be interpreted as support of an unjust law but only as a contribution to reducing the negative consequences of a legislative provision, the responsibility for which lies entirely with those who have brought it into being.

Faced with the many situations involving fundamental and indispensable moral duties, it must be remembered that Christian witness is to be considered a fundamental obligation that can even lead to the sacrificing of one’s life, to martyrdom in the name of love and human dignity The history of the past twenty centuries, as well as that of the last century, is filled with martyrs for Christian truth, witnesses to the faith, hope and love founded on the Gospel. Martyrdom is the witness of one who has been personally conformed to Jesus crucified, expressed in the supreme form of shedding one’s blood according to the teaching of the Gospel: if “a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies … it bears much fruit” (Jn 12:24). (570)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

 

Reflection
Covenants written on paper, etched in stone may appear as impressive documents, articulating decrees, signifying stipulations and rights. But how easily they can become nullified, torn into shreds, cracked with the blow of a hammer into unintelligible phrases. God gave it a try with stone tablets after graciously leading the chosen people out of the land of Egypt, but the people did not respect the covenant. Instead they mocked the Divine design with whining, preoccupation with personal needs. To counter the lacking bonds of a written covenant, God transformed the covenant experience to a personal heartfelt expression. Something that could not be taught to the letter of the law rendering only light or dark dichotomies, but expressing the tenderness of mercy opening hearts to see God’s desire of accompaniment for His people. A covenant not based on intellectual philosophizing grasped by the learned few, but open to all people from the least to the greatest to know the Lord. A covenant manifest in Jesus to move beyond the baptism of repentance harkened by John to the baptism of forgiveness where sin is remembered no more to render a clean heart. What will we do with the compassion shown to us by God? How will we express the joy of salvation that can only be written upon our heart? No longer are we slaves to the covenant of the law, unattainable in the foibles of human weakness, but servants. Dyeing to selfish desires, leaving behind temporary pleasure in understanding the eternal design rooted in a loving Creator who asks us to produce much fruit in believing the purpose of life is greater than our finite action. A realization of understanding God harkens us to engage in the world by the spirit of multiplication. For as we give what God has written on our hearts that blessing flows to others which they share exponentially. Following Jesus means not just in rhetorical exclamations but serving by acting on what has been written on our hearts, for He desire to draw not just a few or the pious, but everyone to Himself.

Individual Reflection: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Plan on hosting the Catholic Climate Covenant video on plastic pollution at your parish. What steps can you take personally and at your parish to minimize plastic pollution?
http://www.catholicclimatecovenant.org/earthday

Family Reflection: Psalm 52:3-4, 12-13, 14-15
Learn about World Water Day on March 22nd. How can you share this information with your parish and take steps to address some of these concerns?
http://worldwaterday.org

Prayer:
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/prayer-to-address-the-sin-of-racism.cfm

Prayer to Address the Sin of Racism from USCCB

We pray for healing to address
The persistent sin of racism
Which rejects the full humanity
Of some of your children,
And the talents and potential You have given.
We pray for the grace to recognize
The systems that do not support
The dignity of every person,
That do not promote respect
For those who are seen as other,
Who bear the legacy of centuries
Of discrimination, fear, and violence.
We pray for graced structures
So children of color in Flint, and all children,
Have access to clean water and health care.
We pray for graced structures
So children of color in Mississippi, and all children,
Have quality education that will allow them to develop their gifts.
We pray for graced structures
So children of color in Camden, and all children,
Have homes where families can live in dignity and security.
We pray for graced structures
So children of color in Chicago, and all children,
Can grow up without fear, without the sound of gunshots.
Lord of all, we ask you to hear and answer our prayers.
Give us eyes to see how the past
Has shaped the complex present,
And to perceive how we must create
A new way forward,
With a new sense of community
That embraces and celebrates
The rich diversity of all,
That helps us live out your call to reject
The sin of racism, the stain of hate,
And to seek a compassionate solidarity
Supported by Your grace and Your love.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born March 13, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

 

Fourth Sunday of Lent Lectionary Reflection March 11, 2018

March 11, 2018: Fourth Sunday of Lent

Catholic Social Teaching: Call to Family, Community and Participation
Read about the interrelated elements inherent in family, community and participation:
http://www.catholicsocialteaching.org.uk/themes/community-participation/explanation/

Readings Cycle B
First Reading: 2nd Chronicles 36:14-16-19-23
Psalm: 137 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10
Gospel: John 3:14-21

Cycle A readings may replace the Cycle B readings for this Sunday. Cycle A readings are used at liturgies with the second scrutiny for those preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Believing is possible only by grace and the interior helps of the Holy Spirit. But it is no less true that believing is an authentically human act. Trusting in God and cleaving to the truths he has revealed is contrary neither to human freedom nor to human reason. Even in human relations it is not contrary to our dignity to believe what other persons tell us about themselves and their intentions, or to trust their promises (for example, when a man and a woman marry) to share a communion of life with one another. If this is so, still less is it contrary to our dignity to “yield by faith the full submission of. . . intellect and will to God who reveals”, and to share in an interior communion with him. (154) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

John 3:16

To the people of our time, her travelling companions, the Church also offers her social doctrine. In fact, when the Church “fulfils her mission of proclaiming the Gospel, she bears witness to man, in the name of Christ, to his dignity and his vocation to the communion of persons. She teaches him the demands of justice and peace in conformity with divine wisdom”[3]. This doctrine has its own profound unity, which flows from Faith in a whole and complete salvation, from Hope in a fullness of justice, and from Love which makes all mankind truly brothers and sisters in Christ: it is the expression of God’s love for the world, which he so loved “that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16). The new law of love embraces the entire human family and knows no limits, since the proclamation of the salvation wrought by Christ extends “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). (3)

With her social doctrine not only does the Church not stray from her mission but she is rigorously faithful to it. The redemption wrought by Christ and entrusted to the saving mission of the Church is certainly of the supernatural order. This dimension is not a delimitation of salvation but rather an integral expression of it[82]. The supernatural is not to be understood as an entity or a place that begins where the natural ends, but as the raising of the natural to a higher plane. In this way nothing of the created or the human order is foreign to or excluded from the supernatural or theological order of faith and grace, rather it is found within it, taken on and elevated by it. “In Jesus Christ the visible world which God created for man (cf. Gen 1:26-30) — the world that, when sin entered, ‘was subjected to futility’ (Rom 8:20; cf. Rom 8:19-22) — recovers again its original link with the divine source of Wisdom and Love. Indeed, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son’ (Jn 3:16). As this link was broken in the man Adam, so in the Man Christ it was reforged (cf. Rom 5:12-21)”. (64)

Ephesians 2:10

The apex of biblical teaching on work is the commandment of the Sabbath rest. For man, bound as he is to the necessity of work, this rest opens to the prospect of a fuller freedom, that of the eternal Sabbath (cf. Heb 4:9-10). Rest gives men and women the possibility to remember and experience anew God’s work, from Creation to Redemption, to recognize themselves as his work (cf. Eph 2:10), and to give thanks for their lives and for their subsistence to him who is their author.

The memory and the experience of the Sabbath constitute a barrier against becoming slaves to work, whether voluntarily or by force, and against every kind of exploitation, hidden or evident. In fact, the Sabbath rest, besides making it possible for people to participate in the worship of God, was instituted in defence of the poor. Its function is also that of freeing people from the antisocial degeneration of human work. The Sabbath rest can even last a year; this entails the expropriation of the fruits of the earth on behalf of the poor and the suspension of the property rights of landowners: “For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild beasts may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard” (Ex 23:10-11). This custom responds to a profound intuition: the accumulation of goods by some can sometimes cause others to be deprived of goods. (258)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

God never leaves us, Jesus never abandons us, the Holy Spirit never ceases to guide us. We turn our backs, tip toe away thinking God won’t miss us. We leave the Church thinking we are leaving Christ behind. We put on spiritual tunnel vision glasses to limit our range of vision open to the dynamic guidance of the Holy Spirit. Who left the picture? It wasn’t God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, but us ! And our displeasure with the status we find ourselves in leads us to blame God, make Him our scapegoat, when it is us, our actions, thoughts, desires that renders us into the Babylon’s of our lives. Exiled from holy environs, wrought from indifference, captive to our desires. For Jesus did not come to condemn us, but offering salvation for the world. With our lack of belief, we condemn ourselves. God’s gift of His only Son resounds His love for the world, not a persona of anonymity, animosity or control. To separate ourselves from that love only causes us to weep, with the root cause of being separates from God, no longer able to exude joyous melodies of praise and thanksgiving, as silenced tongues prevail.

And we even separate ourselves from God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit when we fail to grasp the deep richness of our faith. Do we treat the communion line like a continuous loop from one Sunday to the next? Putting one foot in front of the other to received the Lord each liturgy, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Does our focus on the holy exchange with an air of self-scantificaltion separate us from realizing sacramental grace is not just about me and my status with the Trinity, but what we do it after the sacred exchange. Do we realize faith calls us to break free of the continuous loop for a path lacking familiarity, charted by the Holy Spirit to share the gift we receive, not hoard it with the zeal of scrupulosity? When will our parishes stop aiding, fostering the mentality of the continuous loop and offer encourage and support meaningful ways to stop demeaning abuse of theology abetting, encouraging, prioritizing individual holiness? Faith calls us to come together and be sent forth. Not just sent forth to come back next week with a weeklong vacuum from faithful engagement in the world? A hypocrisy evident by so many people abandoning faith for they see with clarity that faith proclaimed and practiced lacks Gospel calls for service, justice, equality and peace. Who will be bold to break rank with the continuous loop, proclaim in action a Gospel agenda to model the dynamics, the meaning of the Eucharist’s transformative power and shatter the comfort zone of the continuous loop idolatry? A process of coming into the light out of the darkness to live the truth with works clearly seen as done in God.

Individual Reflection: John 3:14-21
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is Laetare Sunday during the austerity of Lent. A day of celebration as Easter draws near. How will you spend the day in anticipation of Easter?

Family Reflection: Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
In areas that celebrate Day Light Savings turn your clock ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday evening March 10th.

Prayer:
Make CRS Lenten prayer eggs and distribute them at your parish this week as a sign of global solidarity during Lent:
http://www.crsricebowl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/US15153-CRS-RB-Prayer-Eggs-Color-B.pdf

Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born March 5, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

 

March 4, 2018 Lectionary Reflection Third Sunday of Lent

March 4, 2018: Third Sunday of Lent

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

The Church’s social doctrine is an integral part of her evangelizing ministry. Nothing that concerns the community of men and women — situations and problems regarding justice, freedom, development, relations between peoples, peace — is foreign to evangelization, and evangelization would be incomplete if it did not take into account the mutual demands continually made by the Gospel and by the concrete, personal and social life of man[85]. Profound links exist between evangelization and human promotion: “These include links of an anthropological order, because the man who is to be evangelized is not an abstract being but is subject to social and economic questions. They also include links in the theological order, since one cannot disassociate the plan of creation from the plan of Redemption. The latter plan touches the very concrete situations of injustice to be combated and of justice to be restored. They include links of the eminently evangelical order, which is that of charity: how in fact can one proclaim the new commandment without promoting in justice and in peace the true, authentic advancement of man?” (66) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Readings Cycle B
First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm: 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 1:22-25
Gospel: John 2:13-25

Cycle A readings may replace the Cycle B readings for this Sunday. Cycle A readings are used at liturgies with the first scrutiny for those preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil.

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Jesus went up to the Temple as the privileged place of encounter with God. For him, the Temple was the dwelling of his Father, a house of prayer, and he was angered that its outer court had become a place of commerce.353 He drove merchants out of it because of jealous love for his Father: “You shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade. His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.'”354 After his Resurrection his apostles retained their reverence for the Temple. (584) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Third Sunday of Lent , Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Exodus 20:13

Man and woman are in relationship with others above all as those to whom the lives of others have been entrusted[215]. “For your lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning, … I will require it … of man [and] of every man’s brother” (Gen 9:5), God tells Noah after the flood. In this perspective, the relationship with God requires that the life of man be considered sacred and inviolable[216]. The fifth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” (Ex 20:13; Deut 5:17), has validity because God alone is Lord of life and death[217]. The respect owed to the inviolability and integrity of physical life finds its climax in the positive commandment: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev 19:18), by which Jesus enjoins the obligation to tend to the needs of one’s neighbour (cf. Mt 22:37-40; Mk 12:29-31; Lk 10:27-28). (112)

 

John 3:16. (Gospel Acclamation)

To the people of our time, her travelling companions, the Church also offers her social doctrine. In fact, when the Church “fulfils her mission of proclaiming the Gospel, she bears witness to man, in the name of Christ, to his dignity and his vocation to the communion of persons. She teaches him the demands of justice and peace in conformity with divine wisdom”[3]. This doctrine has its own profound unity, which flows from Faith in a whole and complete salvation, from Hope in a fullness of justice, and from Love which makes all mankind truly brothers and sisters in Christ: it is the expression of God’s love for the world, which he so loved “that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16). The new law of love embraces the entire human family and knows no limits, since the proclamation of the salvation wrought by Christ extends “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). (3)

With her social doctrine not only does the Church not stray from her mission but she is rigorously faithful to it. The redemption wrought by Christ and entrusted to the saving mission of the Church is certainly of the supernatural order. This dimension is not a delimitation of salvation but rather an integral expression of it[82]. The supernatural is not to be understood as an entity or a place that begins where the natural ends, but as the raising of the natural to a higher plane. In this way nothing of the created or the human order is foreign to or excluded from the supernatural or theological order of faith and grace, rather it is found within it, taken on and elevated by it. “In Jesus Christ the visible world which God created for man (cf. Gen 1:26-30) — the world that, when sin entered, ‘was subjected to futility’ (Rom 8:20; cf. Rom 8:19-22) — recovers again its original link with the divine source of Wisdom and Love. Indeed, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son’ (Jn 3:16). As this link was broken in the man Adam, so in the Man Christ it was reforged (cf. Rom 5:12-21)”. (64)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection
A sacred time, the observance of Passover, as people journeyed from all over the region to celebrate at the temple in Jerusalem. Ritualistic sacrifice highlighted the occasion. Depending on one’s financial means, a sheep, ox or dove was brought to the temple as an offering. Rooted in tradition, expressed in scripture, each year Jerusalem welcomed the faithful fulfilling their spiritual obligation in deference to God. So why was Jesus so angered with the religious tradition he saw, practiced and experienced his whole life? His initiative to disrupt the system, drive it from the temple frothed forth from spiritual hypocrisy inherent in the practice. The visible status of what people gave, a prestige symbol of earthly means instead of spiritual demeanor exploited a faithful covenant between God and man. Diverse currency coming by foot or caravan needed to be converted to temple currency to purchase the sacrificial animals. The opportunity for money changers to extract a profit in the realm of the spiritual practice. What Jesus saw in the temple area was a spiritual tourist trap not the reverence and resolve to practice one’s faith justly rooted in honoring and worshiping God. Worldly interests grasping for profits needed to be exposed and expelled from the sacred grounds for believers to gain clarity of their purpose in celebrating Passover. Leaders thought they might dismiss Jesus’ bold action and return to their former ways. But by prefiguring His crucifixion and resurrection, the temple of His body destroyed and rebuilt in three days, Jesus highlighted hypocrisy, faith rich in ritual, void in sincerity and exploitative in format.

Where is hypocrisy in our faith today? As followers of Jesus how do we respond? Jesus was not silent, but did not harm anyone or the animals. He just drove them out and asked people with the doves to remove them from the temple area. He disrupted the unjust, exploitative practice of requiring temple currency to purchase sacrificial animals, by turning over the tables. How will we overturn, unravel unjust and exploitative practices in our Church and world today? Why would we even ponder or consider such actions? For the Lord has the words of everlasting life, clear, pure, true and to dismiss those prerogatives is to deny Jesus’ death and resurrection. Not that we demand signs or seek wisdom, but proclaim Christ crucified by the way we profess our faith, live our lives. Respecting, honoring God, eschewing idealistic practices rooted in vain expression while honoring social contracts expressed in solidarity, kindness, mercy and justice. Commandments Jesus expressed in disrupting the status quo at the temple and commandments we should honor today by questioning the status quo not grounded in truth, negating justice and leaving our world more polarized from focusing on human agendas instead of prudent faithfulness to the Gospel.

 

Individual Reflection: 1st Corinthians 1:22-25
https://justfaith.org/programs/goodnewspeople/
The Just Faith program, Good News People, no longer has a registration fee, just purchase the program binders. Offer to facilitate a Good New People group at your parish.

Family Reflection: John 2:13-25
https://www.ecopalms.org
Offer to purchase a case of Eco-palms for your parish to use on Palm Sunday to promote environmental and social justice.

Prayer:
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/upload/lectio-divina-lent-3rd-sun-2017.pdf
Lectio divina reflecting on Cycle A Gospel reading of the woman at the well

Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born February 27, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

 

Second Sunday of Lent Lectionary Reflection February 25, 2018

February 25, 2018: Second Sunday of Lent

Catholic Social Teaching: Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Read about St Oscar Romero’s theology of the Transfiguration with Catholic Social Teaching
https://books.google.com/books?id=rehyCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA67&lpg=PA67&dq=Catholic+Social+Teaching+Transfiguration%27&source=bl&ots=xUkIyZOoiA&sig=MswWJzLMo4mUF1BZBjJqUak4K_U&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwju8aOA7bfZAhVU22MKHfqBBcgQ6AEIZTAG#v=onepage&q=Catholic%20Social%20Teaching%20Transfiguration’&f=false

Readings
First Reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Psalm: 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19
Second Reading: Romans 8:31b-34
Gospel: Mark 9:2-10

Catechism of the Catholic Church

From the day Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Master “began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things. . . and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Peter scorns this prediction, nor do the others understand it any better than he. In this context the mysterious episode of Jesus’ Transfiguration takes place on a high mountain, before three witnesses chosen by himself: Peter, James and John. Jesus’ face and clothes become dazzling with light, and Moses and Elijah appear, speaking “of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem”. A cloud covers him and a voice from heaven says: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”(554)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Second Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Romans 8:31-32
With the unceasing amazement of those who have experienced the inexpressible love of God (cf. Rom 8:26), the New Testament grasps, in the light of the full revelation of Trinitarian love offered by the Passover of Jesus Christ, the ultimate meaning of the Incarnation of the Son and his mission among men and women. Saint Paul writes: “If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?” (Rom 8:31-32). Similar language is used also by Saint John: “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins” (1 Jn 4:10). (30)
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

Our actions do not initiate God’s love, but only affirm the Divine design. An act of acquittal, where in our hesitancy to accept pure gift, we tremble as if condemned, ignoring intercessions from the one who is at the right hand of God. Are we stuck on the mountain of spiritual reveling not acknowledging God spared his own Son for us, for we wish to remain in a place of comfort aloof from secular reality? A process of compartmentalizing faith by the law, prophets and salvation to fail seeing the connectedness of each aspect. How many times prophetic voices become shuttered as controversial, challenging continuous so we leave them in their own tent instead of engaging in dialogue to better understand their paradigm in the broader context of faith and life? In essence, a failure to realize God’s beloved Son, the fulfillment of the prophets materialized if we only listen to Him as the Father requested. In Jesus alone, the law chiseled in stone from the revelation to Moses, is not abolished but again materializes into fulfillment. Our fulfillment of living with Jesus only manifests when we see Jesus proclaiming God’s fullness of revelation when we traverse cushy vistas of mountain top holiness, to authentically live the spiritual reality in the world. A place not isolated from secular encounters, shying from the tough debates, distancing instead of encountering all humanity as Jesus lived to faithfully leave the mountain of transfiguration for the bustle of Jerusalem and reality of the cross. Only then is rising from the dead possible, for death transpires, life shrivels away when we fear the path descending from the mountain to fully entering lives of faith in all Jesus teaches, offers and desires for us, pure love, pure grace. It is there we walk in the land of the living as servants offering praise and thanksgiving from experiencing the transfiguration, bedazzlement of faith while never looking back to what we previously treasured and possessed us..

Individual Reflection: Mark 9:2-10
Initiate plastic recycling at your parish to celebrate Earth Day, as we care for God’s creation::
https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades

Family Reflection: Psalm 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19
Fast from using plastic this Lent. Learn about the impact of plastic pollution and ways your family can contribute less to plastic pollution degrading God’s creation:
https://www.algalita.org

Prayer: A week of prayers for Lent from USCCB
http://www.usccb.org/about/justice-peace-and-human-development/upload/Lenten-Prayers.pdf

Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born February 21, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

 

First Sunday of Lent Lectionary Reflection February 18, 2018

February 18, 2018: First Sunday of Lent

Catholic Social Teaching: Care for Creation
Each creature possesses its own particular goodness and perfection. For each one of the works of the “six days” it is said: “And God saw that it was good.” “By the very nature of creation, material being is endowed with its own stability, truth and excellence, its own order and laws.” Each of the various creatures, willed in its own being, reflects in its own way a ray of God’s infinite wisdom and goodness. Man must therefore respect the particular goodness of every creature, to avoid any disordered use of things which would be in contempt of the Creator and would bring disastrous consequences for human beings and their environment. (339) Catechism of the Catholic Church

Readings
First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15
Psalm: 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: 1st Peter 3:18-22
Gospel: Mark 1:12-15

Catechism of the Catholic Church

This dramatic situation of “the whole world [which] is in the power of the evil one” makes man’s life a battle:
The whole of man’s history has been the story of dour combat with the powers of evil, stretching, so our Lord tells us, from the very dawn of history until the last day. Finding himself in the midst of the battlefield man has to struggle to do what is right, and it is at great cost to himself, and aided by God’s grace, that he succeeds in achieving his own inner integrity. (409) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the First Sunday of Lent Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Genesis 9:1-17
Following the destruction wrought by the flood, God’s covenant with Noah (cf. Gen 9:1-17), and in him with all of humanity, shows that God wants to maintain for the human community the blessing of fertility, the task of subduing creation and the absolute dignity and inviolability of human life that had characterized the first creation. This is God’s desire despite the fact that, with sin, the decadence of violence and injustice, which was punished by the flood, had entered creation. The Book of Genesis presents with admiration the diversity of peoples, the result of God’s creative activity (cf. Gen 10:1-32). At the same time, it denounces man’s refusal to accept his condition as creature with the episode of the Tower of Babel (cf. Gen 11,1-9). In the divine plan, all peoples had “one language and the same words” (cf. Gen 11:1), but humanity became divided, turning its back on the Creator (cf. Gen 11:4).(429)

Mark 1:12-13
The universal destination of goods requires a common effort to obtain for every person and for all peoples the conditions necessary for integral development, so that everyone can contribute to making a more humane world, “in which each individual can give and receive, and in which the progress of some will no longer be an obstacle to the development of others, nor a pretext for their enslavement”. This principle corresponds to the call made unceasingly by the Gospel to people and societies of all times, tempted as they always are by the desire to possess, temptations which the Lord Jesus chose to undergo (cf. Mk 1:12-13; Mt 4:1-11; Lk 4:1-13) in order to teach us how to overcome them with his grace. (175)

Mark 1:15
The Church, the community of those who have been brought together by the Risen Christ and who have set out to follow him, is “the sign and the safeguard of the transcendent dimension of the human person”. She is “in Christ a kind of sacrament — a sign and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of unity among all men” Her mission is that of proclaiming and communicating the salvation wrought in Jesus Christ, which he calls “the Kingdom of God” (Mk 1:15), that is, communion with God and among men. The goal of salvation, the Kingdom of God embraces all people and is fully realized beyond history, in God. The Church has received “the mission of proclaiming and establishing among all peoples the Kingdom of Christ and of God, and she is, on earth, the seed and the beginning of that Kingdom” . (49)
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection
How many ways God reveals His covenant to us if we just look, listen and feel! Like Noah, do we deeply look at creation, our lives, all creatures embedded as flora and fauna. HIs hand to craft in interconnectedness a prolific diversity of life sustaining and supporting one another. Do we see the covenant articulated from the bow in the sky? A radiance of effervescent colors stretching the breadth of the horizon. With the waters of baptism prefigured in the flood, a covenant of salvation cleanses inequities for freedom to not apprehend ourselves in entanglements of foolish paradigms. A continual call to live in a Trinitarian encampment listening to the profound and subtle inspirations, while feeling guidance from the Holy Spirit. Are we attentive to the covenant with angelic punctuation? The ministering comfort attentive to our personal needs to alleviate parchness of temptation. Each day continually renews the fulfillment of the covenant, the Kingdom of God in our midsts if we only attentively look, listen and feel. A covenant fulfilled in the Gospel, if we repent from denying our interconnectedness with all creation. Renewed, if we stop shying away from the font of baptism’s cleansing afraid of the metaphorical water getting us wet leaving our hair damp and glasses water spotted, the external inconvenience immersed in internal change. A humbleness yoked to justice. The promise of love and truth for keeping our piece of the covenant. Our affirmation of God our savior who shows us the way with our hearts beyond shuttered and chained paradigms to absorption of teachability appealing to our clear conscience. Not one or two Divine words, but every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. We must not piddle with the pieces, but interlock each piece to help create, facilitate and integrate the Kingdom of God in our world today.

Individual Reflection: Mark 1:12-15
https://www.crsricebowl.org/about/app
Install the CRS Rice Bowl app on your phone to daily live in solidarity with the human family and celebrate the 75th Anniversary of CRS this Lent

Family Reflection: Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
http://www.un.org/en/events/socialjusticeday/
February 20th is World Social Justice Day. What will your family do to learn and act more intently for social justice in our Church and the world?

Prayer
Today, many parishes celebrate the Rite of Sending, where people preparing for baptism, at the Easter Vigil, sign their name in the Book of the Elect before attending the Rite of Election at the diocesan cathedral. Each day of Lent, pray for the people at your parish who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter season.

 

Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born February 13, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

 

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection January 14, 2018

January 14, 2018: Second Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity
http://www.catholicsocialteaching.org.uk/themes/solidarity/resources/questions-explore-references/
Explore questions associated with solidarity. How is solidarity woven in Jesus’ question, “What are you looking for/”

Readings
First Reading: 1st Samuel 3:3b-10. 19
Psalm: 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20
Gospel: John 1:35-42

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Jesus is the Father’s Emissary. From the beginning of his ministry, he “called to him those whom he desired; . . . . And he appointed twelve, whom also he named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach.” From then on, they would also be his “emissaries” (Greek apostoloi). In them, Christ continues his own mission: “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”369 The apostles’ ministry is the continuation of his mission; Jesus said to the Twelve: “he who receives you receives me.”(858)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

1st Corinthians 6:20

The Church moves further into the Third Millennium of the Christian era as a pilgrim people, guided by Christ, the “great Shepherd” (Heb 13:20). He is the “Holy Door” (cf. Jn 10:9) through which we passed during the Great Jubilee of the year 2000. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life (cf. Jn 14:6): contemplating the Lord’s face, we confirm our faith and our hope in him, the one Saviour and goal of history.

The Church continues to speak to all people and all nations, for it is only in the name of Christ that salvation is given to men and women. Salvation, which the Lord Jesus obtained “at a price” (1 Cor 6:20; cf. 1 Pet 1:18-19), is achieved in the new life that awaits the righteous after death, but it also permeates this world in the realities of the economy and labour, of technology and communications, of society and politics, of the international community and the relations among cultures and peoples. “Jesus came to bring integral salvation, one which embraces the whole person and all mankind, and opens up the wondrous prospect of divine filiation”. (1)

 

The Church teaches men and women that God offers them the real possibility of overcoming evil and attaining good. The Lord has redeemed mankind “bought with a price” (1 Cor 6:20). The meaning and basis of the Christian commitment in the world are founded on this certainty, which gives rise to hope despite the sin that deeply marks human history. The divine promise guarantees that the world does not remain closed in upon itself but is open to the Kingdom of God. The Church knows the effects of “the mystery of lawlessness” (2 Thes 2:7), but she also knows that “there exist in the human person sufficient qualities and energies, a fundamental ‘goodness’ (cf. Gen 1:31), because he is the image of the Creator, placed under the redemptive influence of Christ, who ‘united himself in some fashion with every man’, and because the efficacious action of the Holy Spirit ‘fills the earth’ (Wis 1:7)”. (578)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

Jesus loves to ask questions, but are we listening? A style not inflicting authoritarian dominance, but camaraderie, openness to dialogue and in the potential silence following a question an inclination to ponder. No need for an instantaneous reply, but acknowledgement of Divine presence in our midst affirming our humanity, asking for our reciprocity affirming a life encompassing mission. Achieved only if we accept the invitation to come and see. Jesus desires to be our teacher by examining our inmost depths, not demanding us to recite columns of verbiage, for that would be hypocritical babbling lacking the sincerity he desires. A new song, not of dogma, sacrifice or obligational offering, but written on our heart that we never restrain our lips from proclaiming. Words of justice needed to move vast assemblies of culture to follow his prodding from questions garnering initiative to believe and live. Will we follow the invitation of Jesus to come and will we see? Where was Jesus staying that day of the initial question, who was he hanging out with, what inspired Andrew to seek out his brother Simon Peter and exclaim,”We have found the Messiah!” Those same rhetorical questions settle in the hearts of all believers. For Jesus has asked each one of us those simple and profound words. Do we gloss over them with slight glances, profound stares or flash on tinted lenses to mute the brilliance of the call? If we realize we are members of the Body of Christ, temples of the Holy Spirit, how can we not offer a positive affirmation to come and do the Lord’s will? A realization we own nothing and even our bodies are wrought of God’s creation. We cease possessing our lives to living our lives for God through the questions Christ asks us. By pondering the Word, prayerful souls and receptivity to Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, our responses to the Lord’s questions gain clarity, a resolve to live the Mystery to what seems nonsense to worldly finite paradigms. His law written within our heart has no cursive demands only to love justice, do right and walk humbly with our God. How will that be personified in your life this day, this week, this year and until you embrace in the arms of Jesus for all eternity? All we must do is answer his question, “What are you looking for?” And follow to see where he is staying in sometimes surprising, unexpected places of our world. Blessings on the journey and keep listening!

Individual Reflection: John 1:35-42
Read the book Questions of Jesus: Challenging Ourselves to Discover Life’s Great Answers by Fr John Dear and ponder  “What are you looking for?” and other questions Jesus asks throughout the Gospel.

Family Reflection: Samuel 3:3b-10, 19
One month from today Lent starts. As a family considering doing CRS Rice Bowl during your Lenten journey to better listen in solidarity to the cry of the poor in our world: https://www.crsricebowl.org

Prayer: How would you prayerfully write Psalm 40 from today’s readings to harmonize the refrain, “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will”?

Blogs to Visit:
http://marynow.wordpress.com/
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
http://idocst.wordpress.com/
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
https://smrep.wordpress.com/
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters

Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb Born January 1, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.