January 28, 2018: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
For the Church’s social doctrine, the economy “is only one aspect and one dimension of the whole of human activity. If economic life is absolutized, if the production and consumption of goods become the centre of social life and society’s only value, not subject to any other value, the reason is to be found not so much in the economic system itself as in the fact that the entire socio-cultural system, by ignoring the ethical and religious dimension, has been weakened, and ends up limiting itself to the production of goods and services alone”. The life of man, just like the social life of the community, must not be reduced to its materialistic dimension, even if material goods are extremely necessary both for mere survival and for improving the quality of life. “An increased sense of God and increased self-awareness are fundamental to any full development of human society”. (375) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Readings
First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm: 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9
Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 7:32-35
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Christ’s whole earthly life – his words and deeds, his silences and sufferings, indeed his manner of being and speaking – is Revelation of the Father. Jesus can say: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”, and the Father can say: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” Because our Lord became man in order to do his Father’s will, even the least characteristics of his mysteries manifest “God’s love. . . among us”.(516) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
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 let the words of Jesus astonish us? In our worship do we experience the awe of discovery? A revelation of his authority not to destroy us, but impart healing. For healing to occur, we must hear his voice over distractions echoing in our place of worship. The revealing frivolity in getting by, instead of passion defining our faith. A process of malleable hearts primed with spiritual anti-freeze, so they will not harden in the frozen tundra of obligational faith. Lacking commitment to prophets speaking oracles of God and ultimately the Lord’s proclamations continually revealed every sabbath. Being in the deserts of our lives individually and communally, do we personally experience and observe temptation only producing anxieties that unteather one from the Lord due to spiritual blindness? Why does that happen? In worship and faith formation, how often do we fail to connect the dots with a scribe like mentality? How often a component of service never is mentioned or rationalized with a visit to a website donation page invisibly extracting weekly envelopes or a pittance to the marginalized? How often other gods are idolatrized placing lust for spiritual contentment over living the challenging words of the Gospel? How often myopic agendas skew Jesus’ teaching, dislodging pertinent phrases to hollow out meaning, making an unholy paradigm of superficial platitudes? When will we hold accountable presumptuous prophets claiming to speak in the name of faith, but spewing divisive elitism while attempting to silence calls of unity, peace, solidarity, compassion, cooperation? The continual synergy of hearing and living Jesus’ teaching embellishes our lives with substance and only when we harden not our hearts do we acclaim the rock of our salvation.
Individual Reflection: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9
This spring plan to start a Good New People group at your parish
https://justfaith.org/programs/goodnewspeople/
Family Reflection: Mark 1:21-28
February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Traditionally, this day is the ritual blessing of candles. Attend mass and take a candle to be blessed. May the light from the candle remind your family Jesus is the light of the world and as disciples we should let our lives reflect that light.
Prayer: Adapted from Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Let this phrase be on your lips as your prayer this week
Lord may I honor you with ALL my mind and love everyone in truth of heart
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 24, 2018 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.