Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection January 28, 2018

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.

 

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Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection September 1, 2013

September 1, 2013: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Catholic Social Teaching: Rights and Responsibilities

“The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met…Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities—to one another, to our families and to the larger society.”  Themes from Catholic Social Teaching, USCCB

 

Readings

First Reading: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

Psalm: 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a

Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“Would you like to see God glorified by you? Then rejoice in your brother’s progress and you will immediately give glory to God.  Because his servant could conquer envy by rejoicing in the merits of others. God will be praised.” (2540)  From Introduction to the Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C of the Daily Roman Missal

 

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Luke 14:1-6

“During his earthly ministry Jesus works tirelessly, accomplishing powerful deeds to free men and women from sickness, suffering and death.  The Sabbath—which the Old Testament had put forth as a day of liberation and which, observed only formally, lost its authentic significance—is reaffirmed by Jesus in its original meaning: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” …By healing people on this day of rest, he wishes to show that the Sabbath is his, because he is truly the Son of God, and that it is the day on which men should dedicate themselves to God and to others.  Freeing people from evil, practicing brotherhood and sharing: these give to work its noblest meaning, that which allows humanity to set out on the path to the eternal Sabbath, when rest will become the festive celebration to which men and women inwardly aspire.  It is precisely in orienting humanity towards this experience of God’s Sabbath and of his fellowship of life that work is the inauguration on earth of the new creation.” (261)

 

Hebrews 12:22-23

“Sunday is a day that should be made holy by charitable activity, devoting time to family and relatives, as well as to the sick, the infirm and the elderly.  One must not forget the brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery.  Moreover, Sunday is an appropriate time for reflection, silence, study and meditation that foster the growth of the interior Christian life.  Believers should distinguish themselves on this day too by their moderation, avoiding the excess and certainly the violence that mass entertainment sometimes occasions…” (285)

 For the complete text visit:

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

 Reflection

Tables what are the shape?  Oblong with a defined head and foot, round in unity, square with four distinctive facets.  Our perception of physical design emanates from mental acuity of function dictating order.  Where will people sit at the table?  Does the formality of rank coagulate the fluidity of randomness?  Life is setting tables crafted by faith and actions.  Accepting the yoke of the Lord, we learn life’s tables must be inclusive and welcoming for ease of conversations, as dialogue at the table allows all to rise forth in collaboration.  When we choose to come to tables in our lives, we shed individuality for solidarity.  We come seeking to soften tables honed in power.  By sauntering in with humility, the desire to clutch an honored seat, to metaphorically proclaim esteem, vanishes.

Individual Reflection: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

This Labor Day, reflect upon how you celebrate the gift of the Sabbath.  How might you more faithfully observe the Sabbath?

 

Family Reflection: Luke 14:1, 7-14

For dinner this week, sit in different places at the table. Talk about your perceptions of the symbolic elements of your table.

 

Blogs to Visit:

http://marynow.wordpress.com/

Reflecting on Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her.   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.  With a foundation of justice, we can work for peace in the world and empower people’s human dignity. 

https://cst74life.wordpress.com/

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles to uphold life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

http://idocst.wordpress.com/

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

https://csmresources.wordpress.com/

Creation sustainability 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 20, 2013  The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concerns. Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Reflection