January 14, 2024: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity
January 15th we remember the legacy of Dr Martin Luther King and the challenges he offered us to address racism and oppression in the spirit of non-violence: https://cacatholic.org/issues/faith-in-the-public-square/dreams-lead-action-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/
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 Acclamation: John 1:41, 17b
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.”368 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 in 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[1]. 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 prototype of the king chosen by Yahweh is David, whose humble origins are a favourite topic of the biblical account (cf. 1 Sam 16:1-13). David is the recipient of the promise (cf. 2 Sam 7:13-16; Ps 89:2-38, 132:11-18), which places him at the beginning of a special kingly tradition, the “messianic” tradition. Notwithstanding all the sins and infidelities of David and his successors, this tradition culminates in Jesus Christ, who is par excellence “Yahweh’s anointed” (that is, “the Lord’s consecrated one”, cf. 1 Sam 2:35, 24:7,11, 26:9,16; Ex 30:22-32), the son of David (cf. Mt 1:1-17; Lk 3:23-38; Rom 1:3).
The failure of kingship on the historical level does not lead to the disappearance of the ideal of a king who, in fidelity to Yahweh, will govern with wisdom and act in justice. This hope reappears time and again in the Psalms (cf. Ps 2, 18, 20, 21, 72). In the messianic oracles, the figure of a king endowed with the Lord’s Spirit, full of wisdom and capable of rendering justice to the poor, is awaited in eschatological times (cf. Is 11:2-5; Jer 23:5-6). As true shepherd of the people of Israel (cf. Ezek 34:23-24, 37:24), he will bring peace to the nations (cf. Zech 9:9-10). In Wisdom Literature, the king is presented as the one who renders just judgments and abhors iniquity (cf. Prov 16:12), who judges the poor with equity (cf. Prov 29:14) and is a friend to those with a pure heart (cf. Prov 22:11). There is a gradual unfolding of the proclamation of what the Gospels and other New Testament writings see fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, the definitive incarnation of what the Old Testament foretold about the figure of the king. (378)
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 likes to ask questions. Are we ready to answer? The question, “What do you want?”, elicited a response, “Where are you staying?” Staying, menein, identical to the John 15 parable of the vine and branches’ “remain”. Where a believer remains with Jesus and relishes the Lord’s indwelling in their life. A Trinitarian experience of realizing one’s body as a temple for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Questions layered to take us into the mystery of God. An invitation to an excursion to go deeper with the questions that unlock belief and remove trepidation to saying, “Here I am Lord, I come to do Your will.” An inquiry that maybe detoured to listen to people with sage advice, who make us attentive to the Lord’s call. The prophets of our day who are not afraid to say what they attentively see and deeply believe. People that invite us to delve deeper by coming along for the opportunity to see what they see by their side. All that happens on God’s time line, so time that appears to be in snooze mode, slow motion offers the pause needed to cultivate a malleable heart, so we clearly see the the inspiring reality. Seeing with a Christological meaning of coming to God as an indicator of faith. A state of vigilance where we are enamored with the Spirit in belonging to Christ, not autonomous beings. For we do not live with individually, absolute freedom, but our actions reverberate with spiritual dynamics. Individually, the actions of one impacts the broader community to impart trust or elevate cynicism. The fibers of a cosmic web where strands of unity build strength of spiritual proportions and social fabric. A rationale that harbors our spiritual sensibilities, as members of the Body of Christ. Something St Paul tried to impart on the Corinthians whose Stoic philosophy perceived actions feeding the body’s biological necessities as registering no moral value, where sin had no external consequences. Further drawing to their sensibilities, as slave traders, he reminded the Corinthians their lives were purchased at a price by the Lord’s passion. A reality that should frame all the questions we ask ourselves in how we respond to the questions Jesus asks each of us. Questions rooted in invitation, mercy and love and our answers, the lived response, should not be without effect in our spiritual practicalities and social actions.
Individual Reflection: John:1:35-42
Make an effort to mentor someone in an area of faith you are passionate about.
Family Reflection: 1st Samuel 3:3b-10, 19
January is Poverty Awareness month. Read the daily reflections: https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-campaign-human-development/poverty-awareness-month What will be your family’s response to make a difference?
Prayer: January 18-25 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity carrying on an over one hundred year tradition: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecumenical-interreligious-affairs/international-week-prayer-christian-unity https://www.oikoumene.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/WPCU 2024 ENG.pdf
Reflect on the text for this year’s theme: Luke 10:25-37
Inspired by a prayer of the Abbé Paul Couturier,
Pioneer of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Lord Jesus, who prayed that we might all be one,
we pray to you for the unity of Christians,
according to your will,
according to your means.
May your Spirit enable us
to experience the suffering caused by division,
to see our sin, and to hope beyond all hope.
Amen.
Blogs to Visit:
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.
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
Link: https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
Link: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 17, 2024 , St Anthony, The Abbot, Pray for us ! The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.