The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Lectionary Reflection December 31, 2017

December 31, 2017: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Catholic Social Teaching: Call to Family, Community and Participation

So that this call should resound throughout the world, Christ sent forth the apostles he had chosen, commissioning them to proclaim the gospel: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” Strengthened by this mission, the apostles “went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it.”
Those who with God’s help have welcomed Christ’s call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world. This treasure, received from the apostles, has been faithfully guarded by their successors. All Christ’s faithful are called to hand it on from generation to generation, by professing the faith, by living it in fraternal sharing, and by celebrating it in liturgy and prayer.
(2 and 3) Catechism of the Catholic Church

Readings
First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 or Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
Psalm: 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 or 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21 or Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason it can and should be called a domestic church.”9 It is a community of faith, hope, and charity; it assumes singular importance in the Church, as is evident in the New Testament. (2204)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Sirach 3:1-16
It is in the family that one learns the love and faithfulness of the Lord, and the need to respond to these (cf. Ex 12:25-27, 13:8,14-15; Deut 6:20-25, 13:7-11; 1 Sam 3:13). It is in the family that children learn their first and most important lessons of practical wisdom, to which the virtues are connected (cf. Prov 1:8-9, 4:1-4, 6:20-21; Sir 3:1-16, 7:27-28). Because of all this, the Lord himself is the guarantor of the love and fidelity of married life (cf. Mal 2:14-15). (210)

Colossians 3:14
The immediate purpose of the Church’s social doctrine is to propose the principles and values that can sustain a society worthy of the human person. Among these principles, solidarity includes all the others in a certain way. It represents “one of the fundamental principles of the Christian view of social and political organization”.

Light is shed on this principle by the primacy of love, “the distinguishing mark of Christ’s disciples (cf. Jn 13:35)”[1218]. Jesus teaches us that “the fundamental law of human perfection, and consequently of the transformation of the world, is the new commandment of love” (cf. Mt 22:40, Jn 15:12; Col 3:14; Jas 2:8)[1219]. Personal behaviour is fully human when it is born of love, manifests love and is ordered to love. This truth also applies in the social sphere; Christians must be deeply convinced witnesses of this, and they are to show by their lives how love is the only force (cf. 1 Cor 12:31-14:1) that can lead to personal and social perfection, allowing society to make progress towards the good. (580)

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

What a disservice flows from idealizing a nuclear family! An air of perfection unattainable while maintaining rational sanity. Stereotypical, storybook persona void of humility, shuttered by holiness from the reality of lives lived interacting with the world. Focusing on the family’s righteous purity subtracts from time, energy and inertia to see the family’s panoramic view in the broader picture of life. Insulating, isolating in their personal, holy realm steals from the family the genuine encounter with the human family. A place taking the focus off us to we frees the nuclear family from self-absorption to allow themselves to be absorbed into the human family. The opportunity to dialogue, share, cooperate for the greater common good. The pressure of spiritual and economic success and status drifts to seeing the imperatives of the broader picture, not a minuscule segment. Idealizing the nuclear family creates an injustice for families, eventually leading to injustice for the entire human family. For a nuclear family may have a ruse that by their pious lifestyle they think they are a loving family, but is love really to love themselves but render disdain to a world they label as immoral, pagan or secular? Jesus loved the world by being in the world. When will we individually and as the Body of Christ start acknowledging and prioritizing the way our Lord loved in his humanity instead of harkening a theology retreating from the world? As people of faith, families of faith, what do we have to fear by living in the world? To withdraw only seal families further from using their gifts in service of God’s kingdom. Don’t let us fool ourselves into fake holiness with a pristine, retractionist model idealizing families, for Jesus said go forth to be disciples and at the end of Mass we are sent forth. Focusing inward is 180 degrees contrary to going forth. Practicing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another must be ordered not just among kin but all humanity to manifest the message of Jesus to live in love and the fullness of His peace into which we are called in one Body. With thanksgiving, a process respecting and caring for all members and sectors of society. We must come into the temple of the Lord with the Holy Spirit, like Simeon, to see while we may live in a nuclear family our Catholic faith call us to a much broader perspective. Only if the nuclear family instills that persona to resist the temptation to not fully live, but just exist as a pious entity will the Word of Christ dwell richly in them. Further, chastisement of families labeled broken, irregular, separated adds fracturing of the human family. The spirit of welcome, especially at our parishes gets laden with guilt, contempt to block entry from participating as the Body of Christ and ultimately from being sent forth to engage with the broader human family. Shunning segments of society that fail to fit in a preconceived, precise, pseudo holy box leave a lot of people feeling like they live in crevasses unable to climb out. A sense of abandonment be it by the Church or the broader society and they may be outside the idealized “norm” on no account of their own doing. To love as Jesus loves, the bond of perfection requires lives of faith, not lives crafting labels to absolve the responsibility to love. Jesus, Mary and Joseph journeyed as a nuclear family, but their model to us transcends that finite unit to their participation in the broader human family and God’s kingdom. Let us loving follow in their footsteps.

Individual Reflection: Colossians 3:12-21
Utilize the National Migration Week resources at your parish and among family and friends
https://www.sharejourney.org/resource-library/national-migration-week-toolkit/

Family Reflection: Luke 2:22-40
If you are a non-immigrant family share dinner and your journeys with an immigrant family. If you are an immigrant family do likewise with a non-immigrant family.

Prayer
During National Migration Week from January 7th to14th offer a prayer for migrants in a specific part of the world each day, after first researching the challenges they are facing

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 December 19, 2017 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

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Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection October 15, 2017

October 15, 2017: Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Care for Creation
“…We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation…”. Themes from Catholic Social Teaching, USCCB

Readings
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10a
Psalm: 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Second Reading: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Catechism of the Catholic Church
At the end of time, the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness. After the universal judgment, the righteous will reign for ever with Christ, glorified in body and soul. The universe itself will be renewed:

The Church . . . will receive her perfection only in the glory of heaven, when will come the time of the renewal of all things. At that time, together with the human race, the universe itself, which is so closely related to man and which attains its destiny through him, will be perfectly re-established in Christ. (1042)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the, Twenty-eighth Sunday, Cycle A

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: No references this week
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
Does complacency, non-chalant, see you tomorrow attitude dictate our relationship to God? With God offering hospitality of feast like proportions to engage in his kingdom, why does he need to dispatch servants to make a summons? Hoping we get the message, the invitation resonates beyond a terse one time formality, but abounds in his multiple invites if the first call fails to initiate a response. He desires we come to see with the eyes of our heart to know the invitation looks for us to see beyond beholding infinite eternity and that it is ready for our immersion now. Not saved just for the eternal embrace, but to sit at the table each day of our lives attentive to the smorgasbord of divine delights, not just a single rhetorical dish. Why does rebellion manifest as a response by some to the invitation? Why does Jesus reply again to the chief priests and elders of the people? A failure to grow, a failure to see the need to receive, a failure to see the relationship between our business of life and faith. God asked the servants to go onto the main roads and invite who ever they find, when the invited guests failed to materialize at the wedding feast. Today, does a need exist for faith to engage in the world as people on the highways and byways of life see God in perspectives beyond a paradigm encrusted with antiquity to forge relevant paths towards gathering at God’s banquet with not just a chosen few, the children of Israel prioritized in the parable, or a few holy, devout believers of today? Does the Body of Christ forget at times everyone on the planet exists as a child of God that should gather together, but what appears in judgmental attitudes as good and bad alike? God wants a hall full of guests to share his generosity, but do we act like we want a pew or table all for ourselves or maybe only ourselves and friends, but no way including those we perceive as bad to partake in the blessings?God especially expresses his bewilderment over hypocrites, people that come to the feast with a phony heart, not appropriately disposed to God’s mercy, kindness, who shows up for the perks without making an effort to live with a party attitude God desires. A shabby response lingering in darkness, not a meticulous decorum disposed to God’s ways. As we revel in God’s desire for our companionship, we draw ourselves to live in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives to refresh our souls as he always accompanies us by our sides.

Individual Reflection:Isaiah 25:6-10a
Take time to learn more about the depth of migration issues impacting humanity by visiting the Center for Migration Studies website: http://cmsny.org/about/
How do the statistics challenge you to become involved in migrant issues in your community?

Family Reflection: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Little Flower Challenge, a CRS education program, offering a toolkit for Catholic families, parishes and schools to help elementary aged children learn about the global justice topic for 2017 of Water is Life :
http://ghs.crs.org/content/little-flower

Prayer: October 18th is the Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist. In Lectio Divina style read Luke 6:37-45.

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 October 10, 2017 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

 

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection November 6, 2016

November 6, 2016: Thirty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Catholic Social Teaching:  Life and Dignity of the Human Person

The Church’s social teaching is the indispensable reference point that determines the nature, modality, articulation and development of pastoral activity in the social field. It is the expression of the ministry of social evangelization, aimed at enlightening, stimulating and supporting the integral promotion of the human person through the practice of Christian liberation in its earthly and transcendent dimension. The Church exists and is at work within history. She interacts with the society and culture of her time in order to fulfill her mission of announcing the newness of the Christian message to all people, in the concrete circumstances of their difficulties, struggles and challenges. She does so in such a way that faith enlightens them so that they can understand the truth that “true liberation consists in opening oneself to the love of Christ”.  The Church’s social pastoral ministry is the living and concrete expression of the full awareness of her evangelizing mission in the social, economic, cultural and political realities of the world. (524)Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

 

Readings

First Reading: 2^nd Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14

Psalm: 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15

Second Reading: 2^nd Thessalonians 2:16-3:5

Gospel: Luke 20: 27-38

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Because of Christ, Christian death has a positive meaning: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” “The saying is sure: if we have died with him, we will also live with him. What is essentially new about Christian death is this: through Baptism, the Christian has already “died with Christ” sacramentally, in order to live a new life; and if we die in Christ’s grace, physical death completes this “dying with Christ” and so completes our incorporation into him in his redeeming act:

It is better for me to die in (eis) Christ Jesus than to reign over the ends of the earth. Him it is I seek – who died for us. Him it is I desire – who rose for us. I am on the point of giving birth …. Let me receive pure light; when I shall have arrived there, then shall I be a man (1010) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Thirty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C

 

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: No references this week

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

Do we live our lives like we don’t believe in the resurrection? Are our lives a humdrum of apathy, insensitivity, maligned to dissipate hope? We have everlasting encouragement and good hope from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Emanating from our sacramental death in baptism, we are graced with life, to live in God’s kingdom now and after our earthly death.  Honoring our lives, we should live like we believe in all the Gospel to move beyond the Gospel of personal convenience, that shields us from challenges prickling our consciences.  To live is to move among society, so we refrain from hunkering down in a spiritual fortress to insulate ourselves from the world.  Jesus lived interacting among a diversity of people in a variety of socially challenging experiences, addressing tough questions of the day.  Jesus died inviting the repentant thief to life in eternity.  When we realize we don’t give ourselves life, but are gifted with life, life becomes awe, instilling hope and promise that we radiate in the world.  For we follow God, God of the living, not dead tired, extinguished people with nothing to offer the world.

 

Prayer sustains our hope, so the Word of the Lord may speed forward and be glorified against perverse motives that deny human dignity, fracture unity and exploit justice.  Prayer from our humble petitions of need for the Lord’s strength and Holy Spirit’s power to be life in the world.  Petitions of thanksgiving for the sacramental grace of dying and rising, healing and hope.  Our communal prayer to be life as the Body of Christ, eating of the same bread, drinking from one cup.  A communal pathway journeying towards everlasting life.  And our prayers ask intercessions of the saints to support us to live lives of faith, as their lives modeled life for us.

 

Our God is not God of the dead, but of the living, uttered by Moses, proclaimed by Jesus and we are graced to live with the hope of the resurrection and eternal life that we share by the way we live our lives.

 

Individual Reflection: 2^nd Thessalonians 2:16-3:5

The Sunday before Thanksgiving is the USCCB Catholic Campaign for Human Development collection. Share resources with your parish: http://www.usccb.org/about/catholic-campaign-for-human-development/collection/collection-resources.cfm

Also, what organizations in your community might your parish encourage to apply for a CCHD grant?

http://www.usccb.org/about/catholic-campaign-for-human-development/grants/index.cfm

 

Family Reflection: Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15

“…My steps have been steadfast in your paths…”

As a family, take a meditative walk along a path, walkway, trail in your community pausing to look at the life abounding and discuss the lives given to you by God.

 

Prayer:

As the Year of Mercy comes to a close in a couple of weeks, pray in thanksgiving for the blessings you have received  and humble petitions of ways you need to be more receptive to God’s mercy and share mercy more bountifully in the world.

 

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.

 

Involvement Opportunities

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

 

By Barb  Born  October 31, 2016 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

 

 

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection August 23, 2015

August 23, 2015: Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

“We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences.  We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be…” Themes from Catholic Social Teaching, USCCB

 

Readings

First Reading: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b

Psalm: 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:21-32 or Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32

Gospel: John 6:60-69

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The entire Christian life bears the mark of the spousal love of Christ and the Church. Already Baptism, the entry into the People of God, is a nuptial mystery; it is so to speak the nuptial bath which precedes the wedding feast, the Eucharist. Christian marriage in its turn becomes an efficacious sign, the sacrament of the covenant of Christ and the Church. Since it signifies and communicates grace, marriage between baptized persons is a true sacrament of the New Covenant. (1617)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Ephesians 5:21-33

Man and woman have the same dignity and are of equal value, not only because they are both, in their differences, created in the image of God, but even more profoundly because the dynamic of reciprocity that gives life to the “we” in the human couple, is an image of God. In a relationship of mutual communion, man and woman fulfil themselves in a profound way, rediscovering themselves as persons through the sincere gift of themselves. Their covenant of union is presented in Sacred Scripture as an image of the Covenant of God with man (cf. Hos 1-3; Is 54; Eph 5:21-33) and, at the same time, as a service to life. Indeed, the human couple can participate in God’s act of creation: “God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it’ “ (Gen 1:28). (111)

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

Many disciples returned to their former ways of life and no longer accompanied Jesus.  They had taken a look, joined the procession in curiosity, been drawn into the hyped enthusiasm of an unfolding movement or just tagged along to investigate the buzz.  In reality, they looked with their eyes and listened with their ears, but failed to see with their hearts.  The experience remained in the flesh without transcendence to the Spirit. The complacency of their previous spiritual sedentary existence seemed a more placid lure than to follow the Son of Man, for they interpreted His words literally without grasping the spiritually allegorical dimensions.

When we choose to serve the gods of our fathers, wealth, power and dominance or the gods of the country we dwell in today, individualism, success and hero worship, we do not serve the Lord and deny the God of our creation and redemption.  Only when we acknowledge God brought us out of a state of slavery from worldly pursuits, performed miracles of transformation in our lives and protected us along our entire journey can we come to Jesus.  For in acknowledging and surrendering to God, He grants us insight into the spirit of His Son.  To experience His spirit that gives light and a realization that  the spiraling void in pursuing desires of the flesh are no avail to living a life of meaning and ultimately defining our salvation.

Each time we receive the Eucharist, with humbleness, sincerity and in truth, we answer as Peter did to Jesus’ question, “Do you want to leave?”  “Master to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convenience you are the Holy One of God.”  Privileged to receive the Eucharist, with depths of conviction and hope, do we let our lives manifest that gift or do the words of Amen on Sunday have a hollow ring in our actions the rest of the week?  Do parishes exist as sanctuaries of sacraments, void of service?  As one body of Christ, His Church, how can a mission be charted and fueled by  a handful of agenda items, when we are formed by the inclusion of diversity to witness faith to the end of the earth in the lived reality of our daily experiences?   The Eucharistic gift helps us to taste and see the merciful goodness of the Lord. So confronting the empty dysfunctionality of spiritual ritualness and narrowness, we utter praise and blessings inspired by the Spirit in our lives to confront parchness of factionalism and speak forth justice knowing God watches over us to enjoin us with His wisdom.

Individual Reflection: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b

Pope Francis has instituted an annual day of prayer for the care of creation on September 1^st, in conjunction with the Orthodox church.  Help initiate a celebration of prayer at your parish and invite others in your community to participate.

Family Reflection: Psalm 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

This week the Church celebrates four saints:

August 24^th St Bartholomew

August 27^th  St Monica

August 28^th  St Augustine

August 29^th The Passion of St John the Baptist

Read about their lives and discuss how their witness inspires us today

Prayer

Jesus, we see your Church factionalized, people holding on to straws of belief with one hand while attempting to dislodge straws of meaning from the hands of others.  Fighting verbal volleys of correctness, while people lay in groaning anguish from malnourishment, people run from military ambushes, people bobble on the sea searching for lands of hope.  Help your Church to see Lord you give us your body and blood not to ascend to ideological pinnacles of superiority, but to serve one another, especially the least among us.  Help us to be listeners, peacemakers in the struggles so we understand the common goal of building your kingdom requires a collective effort grounded in faith.  Give us the strength Lord, in your name we pray, 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.

Involvement Opportunities

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

By Barb  Born, August 10, 2015 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

The Ascension of the Lord Lectionary Reflection May 17, 2015

May 17,2015: The Ascension of the Lord

 

Catholic Social Teaching: Care for God’s Creation

The entrance of Jesus Christ into the history of the world reaches its culmination in the Paschal Mystery, where nature itself takes part in the drama of the rejection of the Son of God and in the victory of his Resurrection (cf. Mt 27:45,51, 28:2). Crossing through death and grafting onto it the new splendour of the Resurrection, Jesus inaugurates a new world in which everything is subjected to him (cf. 1 Cor 15:20-28) and he creates anew those relationships of order and harmony that sin had destroyed. Knowledge of the imbalances existing between man and nature should be accompanied by an awareness that in Jesus the reconciliation of man and the world with God — such that every human being, aware of divine love, can find anew the peace that was lost — has been brought about. “Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). Nature, which was created in the  Word is, by the same Word made flesh, reconciled to God and given new peace (cf. Col 1:15-20). (454) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

 

Readings

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11

Psalm: 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-13 (short form Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13)

Gospel: Mark 16:15-20

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.” Christ’s body was glorified at the moment of his Resurrection, as proved by the new and supernatural properties it subsequently and permanently enjoys. But during the forty days when he eats and drinks familiarly with his disciples and teaches them about the kingdom, his glory remains veiled under the appearance of ordinary humanity. Jesus’ final apparition ends with the irreversible entry of his humanity into divine glory, symbolized by the cloud and by heaven, where he is seated from that time forward at God’s right hand. Only in a wholly exceptional and unique way would Jesus show himself to Paul “as to one untimely born”, in a last apparition that established him as an apostle. (659)

From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Ascension of the Lord, Cycle B

 

 

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

Acts 1:8

The definitive salvation that God offers to all humanity through his own Son does not come about outside of this world. While wounded by sin, the world is destined to undergo a radical purification (cf. 2 Pet 3:10) that will make it a renewed world (cf. Is 65:17, 66:22;Rev 21:1), finally becoming the place where “righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13).

In his public ministry, Jesus makes use of natural elements. Not only is he a knowledgeable interpreter of nature, speaking of it in images and parables, but he also dominates it (cf. the episode of the calming of the storm in Mt 14:22-33; Mk 6:45-52; Lc 8:22-25; Jn 6:16-21). The Lord puts nature at the service of his plan of redemption. He asks his disciples to look at things, at the seasons and at people with the trust of children who know that they will never be abandoned by a provident Father (cf. Lk 11:11-13). Far from being enslaved by things, the disciple of Jesus must know how to use them in order to bring about sharing and brotherhood (cf. Lk 16:9-13). (453)

 

Ephesians 1:22-23

Faith in Jesus Christ makes it possible to have a correct understanding of social development, in the context of an integral and solidary humanism. In this regard, the contribution of theological reflection offered by the Church’s social Magisterium is very useful: “Faith in Christ the Redeemer, while it illuminates from within the nature of development, also guides us in the task of collaboration. In the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, we read that Christ is ‘the firstborn of all creation,’ and that ‘all things were created through him’ and for him (Col 1:15-16). In fact, ‘all things hold together in him’, since ‘in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things’ (v. 20). A part of this divine plan, which begins from eternity in Christ, the perfect ‘image’ of the Father, and which culminates in him, ‘the firstborn from the dead’ (v. 15-18), in our own history, marked by our personal and collective effort to raise up the human condition and to overcome the obstacles which are continually arising along our way. It thus prepares us to share in the fullness which ‘dwells in the Lord’ and which he communicates ‘to his body, which is the Church’ (v. 18; cf. Eph 1:22-23). At the same time sin, which is always attempting to trap us and which jeopardizes our human achievements, is conquered and redeemed by the ‘reconciliation’ accomplished by Christ (cf. Col 1:20) (327)

 

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

This Ascension Gospel reading comes from the “longer ending” of Mark’s Gospel.  A text dating from the second century and mitigates core themes of Mark that date from over a century earlier around 70 AD/CE.  The traditional ending concludes with the women leaving the tomb with bewilderment and fear.  Greek translations define their experience as a transformation of consciousness, an experience of awe, for the faithful women disciples embraced the divine mystery.  The “longer ending” speaks of condemnation for non-believers, yet Mark’s Gospel speaks of Jesus saying, “those not against us are for us.” In the “longer ending”, signs are articulated as accompanying and identify believers, while earlier in Mark, Jesus chastises those seeing a sign.

 

As Jesus rose from the grave and later was taken up into heaven, the disciples went froth into the whole world and preached everywhere.  By Jesus ascending, they ceased from being a band of followers, observers to become witnesses to the end of the earth.  They could no longer just stand looking at the sky.  The New Testament letters tell of their stories, leading to conversions, obstacles, imprisonment and crowns of martyrdom.  Lineage of saints, named and unnamed, continue the story and  today, two thousand years later, we are placed in the story as Jesus’ disciples.  Like the faithful women disciples, how have we let the resurrection transform our consciousness and arrange our priorities?  Does the awe of the empty tomb infuse our lives with hope that belongs to our call, an inheritance beyond material view?  Will our actions seek a bond of peace and unity, variegated with humility, gentleness and patience?  Instead of gazing at the sky, do we gaze at a media infused screens, to hinder our discipleship?

 

We each have been given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  Will we accept that gift, welcome it with gratitude in our soul and freely share the gift to build up the body of Christ, the Church?  Can we move beyond trifling hypocrisy of exclusion to affirm the call of all people and remove artificial barriers silencing the authentic voices of discipleship?  After His resurrection and before His ascension, Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God.  Baptized with water and the Holy Spirit, may we be attentive to Jesus’ vision of the kingdom of God by embracing people with mercy, not absorbed in defining sinfulness, living joyfully to live as disciples and stewards realizing we do not rule the earth and all creatures, but God reigns over all nations, all the earth.  What an awesome God!

 

Individual Reflection: Ephesian 4:1-13

Stand in solidarity with Bread for the World’s annual lobby day in Washington DC on June 9, 2015.  If you cannot attend,  read the resource material and call your representative and senators to share your support for child nutrition programs: http://www.bread.org/event/lobby-day-2015/

 

Family Reflection: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

At home and in your car this week play joyful, faith-focused music.

 

Prayer: From Collects from the Ascension of the Lord: Vigil and Mass during the day

O God, whose Son today ascended into the heavens as the Apostles looked on, grant we pray, that, in accordance with his promise, we may be worthy for him to live with us always on earth and we with him in heaven.  Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving.  In Your Son’s name we pray, 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.

 

Involvement Opportunities

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

 

By Barb  Born, May 15, 2015   The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

 

 

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection January 27, 2013

January 27, 2013:  3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

“We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences…” Themes from Catholic Social Teaching USCCB

 

Readings

First Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Psalm: 19: 8, 9, 10, 15

Second Reading: 1^st Corinthians 12:12-30

Gospel: Luke: 1:1-4; 4:14-21

 

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Luke 4: 18-19

“…In the Gospel  of Saint Luke, Jesus describes his messianic ministry with the words of Isaiah which recall the prophetic significance of the Jubilee…preach good news to the poor…proclaim release to the captives…recovering sight to the blind…set at liberty those who are oppressed…proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord…Jesus therefore places himself on the frontline of fulfillment, not only because he fulfills what was promised and what was awaited by Israel, but also in a deeper sense that in him the decisive event of the history of God with mankind is fulfilled…” paragraph 28

 

1^st Corinthians 12:13

“God shows no partiality, since all people have the same dignity as creatures made in his image and likeness. The Incarnation of the Son of God shows the equality of all people with regard to dignity…for you are all on in Christ Jesus…Since something of the glory of God shines on the face of every person, the dignity of every person before God is the basis of the dignity of man before other men…” paragraph 144

 

Reflection

We are the body of Christ, with many parts interdependently working together and have been handed the scroll to read.  How easily we omit the words announce good tidings to the poor, liberty to the captives and let the oppressed go free.  These words proclaim the law — the law of loving God and neighbor, by abandoning partiality and respecting human dignity.  But like Jesus does our custom pause for the Sabbath, to let the word proclaimed be embedded in our heart to reach our lips and action during the week?  If we do hear the word and know the commandments, are we like the rich young man of the Gospel that seeks to follow Jesus but cannot because material wealth, status and prestige fail to leave room in our hearts for the law of love? Yet this is a law that should not make us sad or weep, but celebrate in festive mode.  For the words are Spirit and life in allowing everyone to belong, feel needed without division and share concern for one another in joy and challenges.  A law showing no partiality, only enlightening our eye and refreshing our soul to clearly see the enduring, pure, simple wisdom.  In your life, at your parish do you live in an environment with the exclusiveness of a country club or will you take to heart the words on the scroll?  If you are feet in the body of Christ walk beside to assist someone, so they know glad tidings.  If you are a mouth in the body of Christ, proclaim when you see injustice, so people are freed from the captivity of oppression.  If you are an eye in the body of Christ, help those blinded by self-centeredness see God’s law of love for everyone as neighbor.  If you are a hand in the body of Christ, release your grip from ways you demean others by your speech or consumer decisions, as a witness to others of your trustworthiness to the Lord’s decrees.  All parts of the body of Christ, each with a unique gift, play a role in proclaiming a year acceptable to the Lord.

Individual Reflection: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Reflect upon how you live the words of the scroll.  Which words are the hardest for you to actualize? What is one action you will take this week to more authentically live the words of the scroll?

 

Family Reflection: 1^st Corinthians 12:12-30

Draw a picture with the various talents each family member has to live as the body of Christ.

 

Involvement Opportunity

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

 

By Barb Born January 17, 2013  The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters  or for faith sharing groups without copyright concerns.

 

June 26, 2011: The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

June 26, 2011: The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a
Psalm: 147
Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 10:16-17
Gospel: John 6:51-58

We acknowledge Jesus’ presence before sitting in the pew, with a sign of reverence toward the tabernacle. His presence in the Word helps us see God brought us through ALL our journeys in the deserts of self-indulgence, doubt and slavery to idolatry of things in the world. Tested in the struggles, we hungered with parched souls to be fed unknown bread. God’s patience viewed our free wills’ struggle with sincerity to follow His commandments. In rising from the pew to proceed forward to the Eucharistic table, we make a statement of hungering and thirsting no more. The real presence of Jesus, we receive in our hands and drink from the cup, grants life giving peace in the endless boundaries of our souls. A gift not received as individuals, but in unity we are many partaking of one loaf, as one body of Christ. Rising from the pew, the profound embrace has satisfied our yearnings knowing the kingdom of the Messiah is precisely the kingdom of peace. Jesus is our peace and the radical motivation spurring Christians to undertake a life and mission of peace. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, paragraph 491) How will you live that mission of peace when you rise from the pew this week?

Individual Reflection: 1st Corinthians 10:16-17
Visit the website of NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby, to learn more about their “Mind the Gap” campaign. How do you see issues they discuss present in your neighborhood and what can you do to address these concerns?

Family Reflection: John 6:51-58
Talk about how the gifts of bread and wine in the Eucharist take many people to grow, process and produce. Discuss how this is a symbol of unity.

The reflection may be reproduced in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concerns.