From Member Parishes

February 8, 1998

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday's Readings:
First Reading - Isaiah 6: 1-2, 3-8 (76)
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 138: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5,7-8
Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11
Gospel - Luke 5:1-11

St. Anthony of Padua, St. Louis, Missouri

Pastor's Column

The readings for this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time show how we enflesh or manifest or make plain-and-clear the eternal Word, Jesus Christ, to others through our conscious and concerted efforts at evangelization.

The scripture passages highlight three important aspects of evangelization which we need to emphasize, evaluate, and enhance in our lives: the calling, the witnessing, and the drawing of others toward the Lord.

Calling: The prophet Isaiah says, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?' 'Here I am,' I said; 'send me!' The responsibility to bear the message of God to others is the task of every baptized person. When we were baptized, we were given a share in the mission of Jesus who says, "I must announce the good news of the reign of God, because that is why I was sent" (Lk 4:43). The bottom line: unless we actively evangelize, we do not fulfill our vocation; if we do not fulfill our vocation, we do not reach the Kingdom.

Witnessing: St. Paul says, "I handed on to you first of all what I myself received." Evangelization is primarily making Christ real and believable to others by witnessing -- relating the wonders we've experienced with our words and showing our conviction with our actions. The bottom line: if we demonstrate a negative demeanor, a "put-off-ish" behavior, a constant crabbing or criticism, a glum disposition, we are not giving witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus who saves us.

Drawing: Jesus says: "Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men." The objective of evangelization is to make the Lord plain and clear to others, to be a transparent medium for Christ Jesus to shine on others, warm the hearts of others, draw others to himself. The bottom line: our all-too-human side can obscure the clarity of Jesus, make others feel unwelcome or unworthy to approach Jesus, force people away from Jesus.

So, as a result of hearing God's Word this weekend: How are you responding to his call to evangelize? How authentic and clear is the quality of your witnessing? How effective are your techniques to make Jesus known to others? What do you need to change?

--Father Benet OFM

Our Lady of Lourdes, Decatur, Ilinois

Pastor's Column

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
All of the readings in the Liturgy of the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time have a lot to offer to us. The beginning of the prophet Isaiah tells the account of Isaiah's call to God's service to prophecy. Isaiah at first believes he is not worthy, yet God shows him that he is worthy, and Isaiah responds willingly, asking God to "send me." Perhaps it would be good, in the light of this reading, and the general willingness that all of us need to have to respond to God's call, to pray and encourage individuals to respond to say "send me" to the Church's call to vocations to the consecrated life and ministerial priesthood. Pope John Paul II reminds us that it is the duty of the entire Church to foster "vocations." These days of February and particularly March have been months dedicated to religious vocations. Let us make this an important part of our apostolic work and prayer! St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians (which has been the second reading or epistle in the current cycle in Ordinary Time, contains a valuable "apologetic" lesson for us. The phrase which St. Paul uses "I handed on to you first of all what I myself received" is expressed simply in Latin as the word tradere, which is where our English tradition comes from. Tradition is that which is received and handed on! Thus St. Paul is stating that, (even before the gospels were written down) he is handing on the message of Jesus Christ. All our Scripture is really written tradition, which teaches us that before we had our Bible which we know today, we had TRADITION, and the Church preserved this tradition, and in fact, determined the Books of the Bible for all of us to know our salvation history, and know Christ the Lord! Finally, the call of St. Peter is a parallel to the call of Isaiah. We are reminded here that our Faith in Jesus Christ the Lord! Finally, the call of St. Peter is a parallel to the call of Isaiah. We are reminded here that our Faith in Jesus Christ rests on the teaching of the Apostles, which is transmitted to us through written tradition (Sacred Scripture) and the Tradition (the Life, Teaching, and Worship) of the Church.

Queen of All Saints, St. Louis, Missouri

COME CLOSER!

God is Holy! In the presence of divine holiness, both Isaiah and Simon Peter immediately recognize their own sinfulness. They are afraid and want to separate themselves from the Source of their discomfort. In each case, however, God says that there is another solution. Instead of running away, they are to stay in His presence, and He will make them holy too. God wants you too to come closer to Him in love rather than to run away in fear.

Diocese of Belleville Illinois Ministry to the Sick and Aged

WHERE THERE IS LOVE

In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love.

1 John 4:17, 18

Where there is love the heart is light,
Where there is love the day is bright,
Where there is love there is a song
To help when things are going wrong,
Where there is love there is a smile
To make all things seem more worthwhile,
Where there is love there's quiet peace,
A tranquil place where turmoils cease...
Love changes darkness into light
And makes the heart take wingless flight...
Oh, blest are they who walk in love...
They also walk with God above,
And when man walks with God again
There shall be peace on earth for men.

Love comes in many stages and is evidenced in many situations; a mother's love, brotherly love, the love between man and wife, the love of country....but the basic, and most necessary characteristic in all types of love was displayed to us by You, Dear Jesus. One can give without loving, but never can one truly love without giving.

Happy Valentine's Day

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Houston, Texas

Inquiring Catholics Want To Know

Why is the name of the Lord holy?

Among all the words of Revelation, there is one which is unique: The revealed name of God. God confides his name to those who believe in Him: He reveals himself to them in his personal mystery. The gift of a name belongs to the order of trust and intimacy. "The Lord's name is holy." For this reason he must not abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration. He will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it.
Catechism of the Catholic Church # 2143
ABRAN DE PAR EN PAR LAS PUERTAS A CRISTO
Por: el Obispo Joseph A. Fiorenza.

Cada día, sin darnos cuenta de ello, nosotros entramos y salimos por muchas puertas, sin embargo, son un poderoso símbolo evocando im genes fuertes, algunas hermosas y acogedoras, otras comunican rechazo y aislamiento.
Nuestro Santo Padre desea que las familias celebren el gran jubileo del nacimiento de Cristo. Jesús vino a nuestro mundo a través de la familia humana, y es mucho lo que se puede hacer en cada familia para prepararse para el Gran Jubileo. El Comité de Obispos en el Tercer Milenio est sugiriendo que cada hogar designe una puerta, como puerta santa. Quiz s, sea la puerta principal de la casa, la cual es testigo de todas las idas y venidas de nuestras vidas. Un crucifijo o algún otro símbolo con listones puede ser arreglado en la puerta para recordarles que ésta es la puerta santa del hogar. La puerta debe ser bendecida con una oración, como ésta: (ser publicada en el siguiente boletín)

Immaculate Conception, Arnold, Missouri

FRIAR'S MIND

The Olympics

A lot of hours will be spent this week and a lot of pizzas eaten in front of the TV sets, as we take in the Winter Olympics from Nagano, Japan.
The Olympics, they said, are the ultimate expression of physical skill, grace, and strength. They also express a rare determination and dedication of the spirit. They are the near perfection of human endeavor in athletics.
The Bible talks about athletics in many places. St. Paul especially showed an intense interest and understanding of sports. He said the dedication of athletes shows that we are capable of achieving if we put our minds to it.
He urged us to put the same kind of energy into achieving spiritual victory. If we do that, we would be saints. In his day winners were given a crown of laurel leaves. He reminded us that victory in spiritual combat wins us an crown that will never wither.
Everyone admires the discipline and dedication of a committed athlete, and everyone admires a winner. That same kind of determination should be a characteristic of our spiritual endeavors. Discipline and sacrifice, dedication and perseverance: these are necessary for any successful athlete. They are also necessary if we hope to win spiritually. It's inspiring to see athletes compete. It's even more inspiring to see people living good, holy lives.

Frs. Earl & Gilmary

Saints Peter and Paul, Alton, Illinois

Pastor's Thoughts

Dear Friends,

For whom the bell tolls is the title of a book by Hemingway. He borrowed that title from an English author who wrote: The death of any person is a diminishment of the human race. We are so connected to each other that any time any one dies a part of each of us dies too. Therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

As I write this the morning after Karla Faye Tucker's execution, I m surprised by my feelings of personal loss. I never met her; my only experience of her has been the snippets of news items that have been on TV this past week. Yet, I'm troubled by her execution. I do not know the pain of those who suffered the loss of loved ones at her hand. The brutal death of a family member by the senseless act of another human being has got to be one of life's worst experiences. What frightens and disturbs me is I'm not so sure that I, too, wouldn't rejoice in Tucker's execution. Theologically and morally I'm opposed to capital punishment. Intellectually, I agree with our religious leaders who condemn its use. Emotionally, I experience her death as a loss and at the same time find myself caught up in the pain of those related to the people she killed.

The bell really does toll for me. Her legal death, though not innocent, is connected to all those whose death is also legal, yet innocent. Eventually it will no longer be possible for me to stand on the sidelines and pretend that I am not affected. I am diminished by the death of anyone. Shortly before she was put to death, Karla prayed that God would bring some good through her execution. Somewhere it says that God writes straight with crooked lines. I pray that I will be open to and affirming of all life, even that which isn't so innocent, but especially of that which is. Would you please join me in that prayer?

Fr. Tom, OMI

TO HELP PREPARE FOR GOD'S WORD
Readings for next week,
February 15, 1998 are:

First Reading - Jeremiah 17:5-8 (79)
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6
Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20
Gospel - Luke 6:17, 20-26


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