January 17, 1999Second Sunday in Ordinary Time |
1. ISAIAH 49:3, 5-6.
The prophet Isaiah proclaims that the Messiah is to be the light of the nations so that salvation may reach all people.
APPLICATION: Servant's of the Lord serve by becoming light and salvation for others. God is not selfish, neither are the Lord's chosen ones.
2. CORINTHIANS 1:1-3.
This is the beginning of the first letter to St. Paul to the people of Corinth. He identifies the Church in Corinth as "consecrated in Christ Jesus and called to be a holy people" linked to all those who, wherever they may be, call upon Jesus as Lord and Christ.
APPLICATION: The grace and peace the world seeks are gifts of Jesus and his Father. It is our mission now to offer them to others.
3. JOHN 1:29-34.
We hear who John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Chosen One of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is presented as the Lamb of God's people.
APPLICATION: Although God is in our midst, we can fail to recognize him. We must, through our daily actions, always strive to be mindful of God's presence.
Fr. Eugene R. Sinz
Our Sunday liturgy and Scriptures now gradually lead us into Ordinary Time with the life and ministry of Jesus. This Sunday, in the Gospel of John, we have almost a replay of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, this time, however, from St. John's Gospel. Next Sunday we will begin with the call of the Apostles from St. Matthew, and travel with Jesus in His public ministry, up to the time of Lent.
However, since we are so close to the visit of our Holy Father to St. Louis, I thought I would devote a few lines to the Papacy. This visit of our Holy Father to St. Louis is not only important to our country, but to our Diocese as well. On the southwestern end of our Diocese we border on the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and our Diocese has many connections and relationships with the Archdiocese....in part because many of our priests (myself included) have studied at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis. At the time I was studying in St. Louis, Pope John Paul II was elected to the See of Peter in October 1978. I remember what great excitement there was on the occasion of his election. In these ensuing twenty years, he has shown himself to be one of the great Popes of this century, leading with great faith, courage, and absolute trust in Christ. His opening address at his inauguration in St. Peter's Square reminded us to fear nothing, and to open wide our hearts and doors to Christ the Lord. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that Just as the office which the Lord confided to Peter alone, as first of the apostles, destined to be transmitted to his successors is a permanent one, so also endures the office, which the apostles received, of shepherding the Church, a charge destined to be exercised without interruption by the sacred order of Bishops. [n.862].
For some easy reading in these days preceding the Holy Father's visit, I would highly recommend GIFT AND MYSTERY, which was written by the Holy Father himself, It is his own very personal spiritual autobiography of his life and journey as a priest and bishop. It is available in our Gift Shop. Upon opening his book, he says that The story of my priestly vocation? It is known above all to God. At its deepest level, every vocation to the priesthood is a great mystery; it is a gift which infinitely transcends the individual. Every priest experiences this clearly throughout the course of his life. Faced with the greatness of the gift, we sense our own inadequacy.
The period of "Ordinary Time" from the end of the Christmas Season to the beginning of Lent has the focus of putting into practice the mystery of the Incarnation which we made real and present to us during the various celebrations of Christmas.
I like to look at this whole time of year as a unit -- or different manifestations of the same reality -- based on verse 14 of the first chapter of St. John's Gospel:
Christmas: "The Word became flesh"
Holy Family & Mary Mother of God: "and made his dwelling among us,"
Epiphany: "and we saw his glory,"
Baptism of the Lord: "the glory as of the Father's only Son,"
Ordinary Time: "full of grace and truth."
There are five Sundays in Ordinary Time (this term does not mean "plain" or "uneventful" time but rather an ordered or sequential reading of a particular Gospel -- this year Matthew -- from Sunday to Sunday) before Lent, and each one calls us to take ownership of this idea of being "full of grace and truth" both internally as the love of God received and externally as that same love shared with others.
Particularly, on this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, the gist of the scriptural readings
is: Pay attention to and point out to others the Lamb of God, God's chosen one who comes to do the Father's will, the light of the nations, the world-encompassing salvation, who brings grace and peace.
To "pay attention to the Lord" means a "Jesus" spirituality: get to know him through Scripture, learn to love him through the Church, work at serving him in the world.
To "point out the Lord to others" means evangelization through witness and testimony (uncovering Jesus through good example and positive speech) and also through ministry and proclamation (making Jesus present and credible through work and word).
In this way, then, we experience and share the fullness "of grace and truth." It sounds simple enough, but it is a life-project, one that takes a constant focus and an ever-renewed interest. The mandate of Scripture cannot be fulfilled only by a "Sunday Catholic"; it's an all-day, every day effort.
--Father Benet OFM
The reason of the visit of our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, to St. Louis is "to ensure that the power of salvation may be shared by all," as he said in his letter entitled On the Coming of the Third Millennium.
Pope John Paul II has been called the most recognized person in the world. He has visited more cities and countries throughout the world than any other Pope in the 2,000 year history of the Catholic Church. At the invitation of Archbishop Justin Rigali, the Holy Father is coming to St. Louis on January 26 and 27, 1999, for a pastoral visit. The Pope will be coming from Mexico where he is celebrating the conclusion of the Synod for America.
A pastoral visit means that the Holy Father is coming to St. Louis as the Shepherd of the Church to proclaim the Gospel and to spread the gospel message of hope and love.
As we prepare for this extraordinary event, let us pray that the Papal Visit will be an occasion of spiritual growth for people of all faiths and a time of spiritual renewal for Catholics of the Church of St. Louis. Let us also pray that God may continue to bless and guide the Holy Father as he brings the message of Christianity to the world.
For more information call the archdiocesan hotline at 992-0667 or visit the official website: http://www.archstl.org/visit.htm.
Every Sunday is a celebration of the Pascal Mystery of Christ. Sunday keeps alive the memory and Presence of the Lord. It is the most important of all our Christian activities. Sunday is the celebration that unites us to Christ and forms us in His image. It is here that we are strengthened in faith and commitment to His mission and are prepared to be "those who are sent." That is why it is a minimum requirement for Catholics to attend Mass every Sunday. The traditional color used in Ordinary Time for liturgical vestments and church decoration is green, the color of hope and life. It is in this season that we hear many New Testament readings that focus on our life as Christians. During this season, in the time after Pentecost, there are four devotional feasts of Christ. They are the Solemnities of Trinity, Corpus Christi, Sacred Heart and Christ the King. These also remind us that the central focus of our lives as Christians is Jesus, the Christ.
In the Gospel John the Baptist points to the Lamb of God. We hear this phrase at every Mass, "Behold the Lamb of God." The connection is that in the Jewish tradition at Passover the lamb was sacrificed. It was their reminder and celebration of freedom. When the Baptist calls attention to the Lord Jesus a transfer is made. Jesus is the true Lamb that will set us free.
We, too, are invited today to accept Jesus as our liberator. He, and He alone, has the means to make all new. It's a simple matter of putting our trust and confidence in Him.
Symbols are important in our tradition. When we hear the words, Lamb of God, let us renew our commitment as we approach the eucharistic table and receive the one who is our freedom.
In this Gospel our ability to recognize Him is made possible through the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for the ability to make this confession and live in the light of His saving presence.
Fr. Ron
Revelation and faith teach us not only to meditate in the abstract upon the mystery of God as "Father of mercies," but also to have recourse to that mercy in the name of Christ and in union with Him. Did not Christ say that our Father, who "sees in secret" (Mt 6:4, 6, 18), is always waiting for us to have recourse to Him in every need and always waiting for us to study His mystery - the mystery of the Father and His love? (see Ephesians 3:18, Luke 11:5-13)
I was recently reading about that great wit of the roaring twenties, Dorothy Parker. She is famous for such sayings as: "Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses." She was quite cynical about those who wrote idealistically about love:
"Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song
A medley of extemporanea;
And love is a thing that can never go wrong
And I am Maria of Romania."
Love is hard work. It is more than a "glorious cycle of song". It takes commitment whether it be to your spouse or to your Lord. Real love, not simply infatuation, is a "finger pointing to God". May this real love of God grow in each of us in this new year.
TOP 10 CHURCH MOMENTS OF THE LAST TWO MILLENNIA, PART II:
Christianization of the barbarians: The founding of the Benedictine Order at Monte Cassino in 520 allowed St. Benedict and his monks to create a network of monasteries that brought Christian education to Europe, and help civilize nomadic barbarians who had dismantled the structures of the Roman Empire.
The Council of Chalcedon: In 451 the Council settled a pivotal doctrinal dispute, defining Jesus as one divine person with two natures--human and divine.
Freedom for the Church: Roman emperor Constantine's victory in battle over opposing Roman forces in 313 ended several hundred years of persecution and makes Christianity a lawful religion.
Conversion of St. Paul: The former persecutor of Christians became a follower of Jesus and an apostle.
Pentecost: The Church was born with the coming of the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room in Jerusalem.
SPECIAL THEMES FOR YEAR THREE-The themes for the third year of preparation are especially appropriate for rejuvenation and renewal. Reflecting on God the Father, on the virtue of love, and on the sacrament of reconciliation can have a profound impact on us as individuals and communities.
HOW DO YOU ENVISION GOD?-As human beings we have a tendency to imagine or visualize God in human terms. Many of the images we use for God flow directly from the Scriptures. Imaging God as Father is a foundational element of our Catholic experience. For many Catholics, this is a very appealing, consoling, and loving way to imagine and relate to God.
Jesus used the word Abba in prayer in the garden before his arrest (Mk 14:36). Abba is a familiar term usually translated as "Daddy". St. Paul reiterates this image of God: "You have received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" (Rom 8:15). With the encouragement of Jesus and Paul, we too can call God "Daddy."
In fact, when the disciples said to Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples," Jesus replies, "When you pray, say 'Father, hallowed by your name'" (Lk 11:1-2). In our prayer we are invited to be on familiar terms with God our Father.
In Jesus' final meal with the Twelve, he said, "By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love" (Jn 15:8-9). Through our relationship with God as loving Father, we grow as disciples of Jesus, and we make an impact (bear fruit) on those whose lives we touch.
Preparing for the Jubilee Year Three, 1999.
Reflections on Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and the Father,
by Pope John Paul II
The Father of Mercy...Revelation and faith teach us not only to meditate in the abstract upon the mystery of God as Father of mercies, but also to have recourse to that mercy in the name of Christ and in union with Him. Did not Christ say that our Father, who sees in secret (Mt 6:4, 6, 18), is always waiting for us to have recourse to Him in every need and always waiting for us to study His mystery-the mystery of the Father and His love? (see Ephesians 3:18, Luke 11:5-13)...
Although God dwells in unapproachable light (1 Tm 6:16, RSV), He speaks to man by means of the universe: ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made (Rom 1:20). This indirect and imperfect knowledge, achieved by the intellect seeking God by means of creatures through the visible world, [nevertheless] falls short of [a] vision of the Father. no one has ever seen God, writes St. John, in order to stress the truth that the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known (Jn. 1:18).
This making known [of the Father by Christ] reveals God in th e most profound mystery of His being, one and three, surrounded by unapproachable light... Through this making known by Christ, we know God above all in His relationship of love for man...It is precisely here that His invisible nature becomes in a special way visible, incomparably more visible than through all the other things that have been made: it becomes visible in Christ and through Christ, through His actions and His words, and finally through His death on the Cross and His resurrection. [DM n. 2]
It's winter, and the nights are long. Like a shining lamp in the darkness, the liturgy of winter Ordinary Time radiates a cheerful light. The season's brightest day is Candlemas, February 2nd (forty days after Christmas), the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Simeon and Anna greet the infant Jesus and take him in their arms. In wondrous mystery, old age embraces youth. Christian poets see reflected in this feast the arrival of the first breath of spring, which ever-so-fragilely and tentatively rises from the arms of winter. On the ancient Celtic calendar the Lencten began at the Candlemas. Lencten (meaning lengthen) is the quarter of the year during which daytime rapidly grows longer. That's the root word from which we get the word Lent. The days between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday are sometime called Carnival, which in Latin means farewell to flesh. Our feasting before the Lenten fast can be inspired by the winter scripture readings that tell of water- made-wine, of an enormous catch of fish, of the hungry being filled. We hear Ezra the priest invite people to eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,...for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength. In winter the entrance songs at Sunday Mass include some of the gladdest lyrics of the year: Break into song, sing a new song, my heart rejoices. Carnival time is perfect for singing, dancing and storytelling around a cozy fire. It's the traditional time for the best of the human arts. Some people brighten the winter by learning a language, a musical instrument, a folkcraft. Some people prepare a sumptuous dessert or a hearty pot of soup. Some send valentines to share their love. Some invite others to an evening of homespun hospitality. The simple joys of winter are more than fun. Many of us are in real need of a healthy dose of cheer as an antidote to the season's bleakness. All of us need each other's warmth and good will. All of us have an obligation to make sure that no one suffers from winter's cold and darkness, from winter illnesses, from seasonal depression and isolation. Winter is the season above all in need of our practicing the corporal works of mercy. In the words of Dorothy Day: The mystery of the poor is this: they are Jesus and what you do for them you do for him.
Lord of all,
today we honor the memory of a Christian minister
who put his Faith into practice
for the good of an oppressed people.
He followed Your evangelical counsel of non-violence
to overturn the discriminatory practices
of the ignorant and the misguided.
Teach me to put my Christianity into practice
in the cause of right wherever it may be
and for the freedom of blacks and other minorities.
Let me do what I can to insure that this country,
based on Christian principles,
will remain true to these principles and really be
the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took Him to Jerusalem and presented him to the Lord as the law of Moses required. While in the temple, they encountered a man named Simon who called Jesus a Light to the nations and the glory
of Israel.
On the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, it is a tradition to bless candles not only for church use but for the home as well. Blessed candles can be used for special dinners at home or when the family gathers for prayer.
Dear Pastor, Who does God pray to? Is there a God for God? Joshua, age 10 South Pasadena
Dear Pastor, Are there devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class. Carla, age 10 Salina
Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished. Ralph, age 11 Akron
Dear Pastor, How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers? Marie Age 9, Lewiston
In Jesus' Love, Fr. John
