Wednesday -- Jonah 3:1-10:

Jonah was called to confront the authorities. Are you called to do the same to your boss, Church leader, or government leader? If called to do so, send a memo, e-mail or letter to your congressional representative or some other person in authority, voicing your opinion of an important moral issue.

“Disbelief” - Faith:

In today’s Gospel Jesus reprimanded the crowd for their disbelief in Him in spite of the many miracles He had shown them.The signs of our “disbelief” in God are not in our lack of knowledge of Him, but in our lack of will to live what we believe. This is shown through our “lukewarm’ faith
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Prayer, fasting, vigil and all other Christian activities, however good they may be in themselves, do not constitute the aim of our Christian life, although they serve as the indispensable means of reaching this end. The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. As for fasts, and vigils, and prayer, and almsgiving, and every good deed done for Christ's sake, they are only means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God.

- St. Seraphim of Sarov (1759-1833)

Tuesday -- Isaiah 55:10-11:

One can learn much about God by reflecting on his creation: on the heavens, rain, snow, the earth, seed and so on. Spend a few minutes outside in nature today, trying to learn about the painter by reflecting on the painting.

Meaningful Prayer:

Jesus taught us the “Our Father” prayer so as to help us pray meaningfully. This prayer praises God, seeks to do His Will, be strengthened by His grace, be renewed by His Mercy, and petitions that we will not be tested by the Evil One. Ponder and pray on each aspectof the “Our Father”.

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I will attempt day by day to break my will into pieces. I want to do God's Holy Will, not my own!

- Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother (1838-1862)

First Sunday of Lent (C)

Dt 26:4-10
Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Rm 10:8-13
Lk 4:1-13

Knowing your roots—it's become an obsession for many of us. Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, and this is the "Sunday Soundbite" for the First Sunday of Lent.

There's a wealth of resources available for researching one's family history; people enjoy knowing about their ancestors and where they came from. When we learn about our family's past we can appreciate the cultural riches our ancestors brought to us, their descendants.

In today's first reading, Moses makes knowing the family history a part of the worship of Israel—and so it is to this day. As part of every Seder service, Jewish families retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt. We Catholics also bring our "family history" into our liturgy. Our Lenten season chooses some of the most basic stories of faith to remind us where we've come from. More importantly, these stories lead us directly to Jesus, and the story of our redemption in his death and resurrection.

Today, as we hear of the Lord's temptations in the desert, let's let this very human portrait of Jesus remind us of how we're called to respond in times of temptation: To depend upon God's grace, and allow it to support and sustain us. It's the living story of our faith, our Baptismal commitment, which we reaffirm in this Lenten season.

Scripture:

•… he heard our cry and saw our affliction,…he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. (Deuteronomy 26:7,9)

•No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, (Psalm 9:10)

•The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart… (Romans 10:8)

•…(Jesus) was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days…and when it was over he was hungry. (Luke 4:2)

Reflection:

•Can the secular world and popular culture be the largest desert of all?

•After Jesus’ fast was over, describe his hunger?

•What will be your fast when you journey into the desert?

•Where is a space or time where you may find your desert?

•Is the desert a space or a time?

The desert…the desert…the desert!
It is the path of Exodus, it is the march of the People of God from the slavery of idols to the freedom of the Promised Land, to the joy and brightness of the Kingdom. And this, by crossing the desert. But the word “desert” is much more than a geographic expression that suggests to our minds a derelict, parched, and arid expanse of land with no one in it. The word “desert”—for the person who lets himself or herself be taken up by the Spirit—expresses the search for God in silence. It is a “suspension bridge” thrown by the soul in love with God over the dark abyss of its own spirit, over the strange deep crevasses of temptation, over the unfathomable precipices of its own fears which form an obstacle to the progress toward God. Yes, such a desert is a prayer beyond all prayer.…

First Sunday of Lent -- Romans 10:8-13:

Paul gives you the great news that “The Word is near you!” St. Ignatius believed strongly that God’s great desire was to have an intimate relationship with every person he ever created. Do you have that intimate relationship with God? Today, think about your personal relationship with God. If you have time, write a letter to God about that relationship.

Monday Matthew -- 25:31-46:

What if Jesus is not speaking figuratively here? What if he really wants you to come to know homeless people, foreigners, shut-ins, and prisoners? Go out and visit with someone who concretely fits into one of these categories.

God “Sees” Every Deed:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus affirms that when we are each judged by God’s Justice at the end of the world, God will never overlook any of our acts of compassion, love and service shown to others. This is because God is present in everyone. All good works done to others is done to God.?

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May work and suffering for God always be your glory and in your work and suffering, may God be your consolation on this earth, and your recompense in heaven.

- Blessed Thomas Mary Fusco (1831-1891)


For not by laboring and sweating, not by fatigue and suffering, but merely as being beloved of God, we received what we have received.

- Saint John Chrysostom


Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich.

- Saint Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)

Friday:

Prayers, devotions, and penances lead you to reach out to those in need. Visit a soup kitchen, homeless shelter or relief agency. Or, send a card to someone who needs a word of support.
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Dear Lord, I do not ask to see the path. In darkness, in anguish and in fear, I will hang on tightly to your hand, and I will close my eyes, so that you know how much trust I place in you, Spouse of my soul.

- Blessed Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad (1870-1957)

Chair of Peter the Apostle

This feast commemorates Christ’s choosing Peter to sit in his place as the servant-authority of the whole Church (see June 29).

After the “lost weekend” of pain, doubt and self-torment, Peter hears the Good News. Angels at the tomb say to Magdalene, “The Lord has risen! Go, tell his disciples and Peter.” John relates that when he and Peter ran to the tomb, the younger outraced the older, then waited for him. Peter entered, saw the wrappings on the ground, the headpiece rolled up in a place by itself. John saw and believed. But he adds a reminder: “..[T]hey did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead” (John 20:9). They went home. There the slowly exploding, impossible idea became reality. Jesus appeared to them as they waited fearfully behind locked doors. “Peace be with you,” he said (John 20:21b), and they rejoiced.

The Pentecost event completed Peter’s experience of the risen Christ. “...[T]hey were all filled with the holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4a) and began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them.

Only then can Peter fulfill the task Jesus had given him: “... [O]nce you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). He at once becomes the spokesman for the Twelve about their experience of the Holy Spirit—before the civil authorities who wished to quash their preaching, before the council of Jerusalem, for the community in the problem of Ananias and Sapphira. He is the first to preach the Good News to the Gentiles. The healing power of Jesus in him is well attested: the raising of Tabitha from the dead, the cure of the crippled beggar. People carry the sick into the streets so that when Peter passed his shadow might fall on them.

Even a saint experiences difficulty in Christian living. When Peter stopped eating with Gentile converts because he did not want to wound the sensibilities of Jewish Christians, Paul says, “...I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong.... [T]hey were not on the right road in line with the truth of the gospel...” (Galatians 2:11b, 14a).

At the end of John’s Gospel, Jesus says to Peter, “Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18). What Jesus said indicated the sort of death by which Peter was to glorify God. On Vatican Hill, in Rome, during the reign of Nero, Peter did glorify his Lord with a martyr’s death, probably in the company of many Christians.

Comment:

Like the committee chair, this chair refers to the occupant, not the furniture. Its first occupant stumbled a bit, denying Jesus three times and hesitating to welcome gentiles into the new Church. Some of its later occupants have also stumbled a bit, sometimes even failed scandalously. As individuals, we may sometimes think a particular pope has let us down. Still, the office endures as a sign of the long tradition we cherish and as a focus for the universal Church.

Quote:

Peter described our Christian calling in the opening of his First Letter, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...” (1 Peter 1:3a).

Thursday:

Make two lists. On one, write your behaviors, habits and choices that have been life-giving, and, on another, those that have deprived you or others of life. Make a plan with God to root out just one of those that are from the spirit of death.

Spiritual Insights:

If we are in tune with God’s Spirit who is actively present within us, then we will receive many insights of how we should relate and reach out to our loved ones, strangers and those who hurt us. Allow God’s Spirit to be more fully part of your life.

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The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day.

- Blessed Glanna Beretta Molla (1922-1962)

Ash Wednesday:

Start (or continue) a spiritual journal today. Set down spiritual goals that you hope will accompany your concrete penances to return to the Lord.

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We have not deserved to pray; but God, in His goodness, has permitted us to speak to Him. Our prayer is an incense which He receives with extreme pleasure.

- Saint John Vianney

Dedication of Days and Months

January: The Holy Childhood

February: The Holy Family

March: St. Joseph

April: The Holy Spirit

(also the Eucharist)

May: Mary

June: The Sacred Heart

July: The Precious Blood

August: The Blessed Sacrament

September: The Seven Sorrows

October: The Holy Rosary

November: The Souls in Purgatory

December: The Immaculate Conception

Days of the week are dedicated to:

Sunday: The Holy Trinity

Monday: The Souls in Purgatory

(The Holy Spirit)

Tuesday: Guardian Angel

Wednesday: St. Joseph

Thursday: The Blessed Sacrament

Friday: His Precious Blood

Saturday: Mary

Jesus as Friend:

To treat Jesus as a friend instead of just as God is to let him be a friend—and this is one way to grow in awareness of him as a friend.

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We will do very much more if we are plunged into interior and exterior darkness, filled with sorrow, weakness, exhaustion, without consolation, persecuted at every step, surrounded by constant failure, abandoned, ridiculed, scoffed at, as was Jesus on the Cross -- provided that we want by all means to draw all people to God.

- Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)

Christian Life:

The Christian life, the life of grace, is meant to be an ongoing experience of passionate living on every level: body, emotions, mind and will. The Christian life, passionately lived in love, is meant to give us life to the full, joy to the full.

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Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them.

- Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Faith:

Faith lifts the latch to your mind so that you know God is there and that every little bit counts.

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Nothing is anything more to me; everything is nothing to me, but Jesus: neither things nor persons, neither ideas nor emotions, neither honor nor sufferings. Jesus is for me honor, delight, heart and soul.

- Saint Bernadette of Lourdes (1844-1879)

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

1 Sam 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23
Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13
1 Cor 15:45-49
Lk 6:27-38

There’s a built-in irony in today’s Liturgy of the Word. We read from Luke’s Gospel, and Jesus’ "Sermon on the Plain," which was introduced last week. Jesus delivers a radical message about how to treat our enemies—with non-violence, forgiveness and mercy. The liturgy gives us a companion first reading. The choice: a scene from the First Book of Samuel starring the future King David. We see David sparing his enemy, King Saul.

But the irony is that David, elsewhere in the Bible, is hardly a non-violent figure. He’s more typically a man of his era, meting out vengeance to enemies, inflicting violence on friends and saddling his own people with the consequences of the king’s personal sin. Hardly a poster child for non-violence!

And yet perhaps this Biblical scene of forgiveness is more potent because of who David was. I’m reminded of the historic Camp David accords, in which President Jimmy Carter brought together Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, two veterans of war, terrorism and violence, in pursuit of peace. And even though their agreement was flawed and the Middle East remains a violent place, some good did result.

Our world—the Middle East included—is as violent as David’s world, possibly more so, given our weapons technology and our terrible history of violence. Had King David heard Jesus’ message, how would he have responded? More importantly, how will we?

I’m Father Greg Friedman with the "Sunday Soundbite" for St. Anthony Messenger Press, on the Web at FranciscanRadio.org.

Scripture:

•The LORD will reward each man for his justice and faithfulness. (1 Samuel 26:23)

•…we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one. (1 Corinthians 15:49)

•For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. (Luke 6:38)

Reflection:

•How does giving of self transform you spiritually?

•What is necessary to give the self to another and to God?

One must transform one’s own life into an act of self giving. From then on it becomes ‘prayer’ and I suddenly achieve the synthesis, the unity of my being, and I break through into the real.
He who becomes a gift, is in a state of perfection; he becomes invulnerable, he is light.
To be a gift to God, a gift to one’s fellow man.
The union of those two elements is what makes the Christian, the authentic human being, the saint.

Courage:

Courage takes up where others leave off crying, and goes into the dark place to turn on the light.

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We realize that what we are accomplishing is a drop in the ocean. But if that drop were not in the ocean, it would be missed.

- Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Justice:

Justice divides your peanut butter sandwich into a zillion parts for the children who don’t have any lunch. Justice is the place where you see everyone must have what they need.

“Who Do you say I am?”:

Jesus asked His disciples this question and Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Can we respond as wholeheartedly as Peter? If we can, thank God for your deep faith. But, if you cannot, then ask God for the graces you need to love Him more deeply and personally.

Secular World – Eternal life:

To lose eternal life in exchange for the “false fulfillment and happiness of the secular world” of fame and fortune, is to destroy our true self for the sake of some temporary “joys” of life. Value more deeply the gift of eternal life that God is offering us.

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Great love can change small things into great ones, and it is only love which lends value to our actions.

- Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938)

Anger:

Anger scrunches your heart into a tiny lump of charcoal and bursts all your insides out before you know what happens.Then you look around empty and all alone.

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Live in such a way that all may know that you bear outwardly as well as inwardly the image of Christ crucified, the model of all gentleness and mercy.

- Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)

Greed:

Greed takes you where it’s always empty, no matter how much you stuff in, and you say,“I must have all and everything, and nothing is enough and no one can have anything but me.”

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Perfection of life is the perfection of love. For love is the life of the soul.

- Saint Frances de Sales (1567-1622)

V a l e n t i n e ' s D a y

Cast away the downy days, that threaten to wipe that smile away.
Flee the worries and the bad thingies, for they ain't part of your destiny.
Loads of joy, laughter and peace are here to stay, for that is their rightful place.
Plus the unlimited sunshines and super smlieys, may there always be a cheery you.
Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day, a happy and good good day ahead.

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I will always be around, to bring a smile to you on days when you are down, to shelter you when the rain and thunderstorm brings much unbound. For to put a smile on your face, a warm sweet smile from the heart, is the best reward.

Never will you have to walk down any path alone, feeling cold or abashed. the harshness of this world or life, will never ever have a chance to take a smite.

Happiness, joy, peace, laughter are the situations I hope for your life and as much as God will provide, I will give all my might to put all these perspectives into light.

Many a words I would wish to say to you, many actions and deeds have I to show. But I know that now is not my limelight, nor is it my speaking right.

These then will they be kept close and dear in my heart, for I do not presume to incurr any pressures, for these are just words and thoughts are from my heart's treasures.

No matter what happens, you will always have me to hold you dear. I will always be here for you.

The promises I made will be kept dear, together with the beautiful memories that are so clear. Forever they will archived and eatched crystal clear, into a realm that only you and I can enter.

For special are you in my eyes, the weight, presence and love will always occupy.

Now smile a beautiful smile for me, a warm and sweet smile from your heart my dearest ger, at least that will put me to peace.

(¯`v´¯) Happy Valentine's Day. (¯`v´¯)

Widening Circle:

In addition to the bad effects our sins have on other people, our sins have bad effects on us. In addition to the good effects that our acts of virtue have on other people, our acts of virtue have good effects on us.

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The good Lord will give you grace and his Holy Spirit and he will bless your humility; but I wish you would learn to love the cross with all your heart, in whatever form or manner it comes.

- Blessed Maria Teresa of St. Joseph (1855-1938)

A ‘Love Gift’:

Our inner life is a love gift from God. We are dynamic because God made us that way. The seed of love in our hearts will never stop unfolding until we reach God. Only sin can stop us from doing this.

Doubting God:

When we “doubt” God’s love, care and mercy for us, we are actually acting in a very arrogant and ungrateful way towards God. If we reflect deeply on our own lives we would see that without God’s Love, Compassion and Protection, we would have destroyed ourselves long ago.

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Love is sufficient of itself; it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in the practice.

- St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

Our Lady of Lourdes

On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in the apostolic constitution Ineffabilis Deus. A little more than three years later, on February 11, 1858, a young lady appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. This began a series of visions. During the apparition on March 25, the lady identified herself with the words: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

Bernadette was a sickly child of poor parents. Their practice of the Catholic faith was scarcely more than lukewarm. Bernadette could pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Creed. She also knew the prayer of the Miraculous Medal: “O Mary conceived without sin.”

During interrogations Bernadette gave an account of what she saw. It was “something white in the shape of a girl.” She used the word aquero, a dialect term meaning “this thing.” It was “a pretty young girl with a rosary over her arm.” Her white robe was encircled by a blue girdle. She wore a white veil. There was a yellow rose on each foot. A rosary was in her hand. Bernadette was also impressed by the fact that the lady did not use the informal form of address (tu), but the polite form (vous). The humble virgin appeared to a humble girl and treated her with dignity.

Through that humble girl, Mary revitalized and continues to revitalize the faith of millions of people. People began to flock to Lourdes from other parts of France and from all over the world. In 1862 Church authorities confirmed the authenticity of the apparitions and authorized the cult of Our Lady of Lourdes for the diocese. The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes became worldwide in 1907.

Comment:

Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage and healing, but even more of faith. Church authorities have recognized over 60 miraculous cures, although there have probably been many more. To people of faith this is not surprising. It is a continuation of Jesus’ healing miracles—now performed at the intercession of his mother. Some would say that the greater miracles are hidden. Many who visit Lourdes return home with renewed faith and a readiness to serve God in their needy brothers and sisters. There still may be people who doubt the apparitions of Lourdes. Perhaps the best that can be said to them are the words that introduce the film Song of Bernadette: “For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible.”

Quote:

“Lo! Mary is exempt from stain of sin, Proclaims the Pontiff high; And earth applauding celebrates with joy Her triumph, far and high. Unto a lowly timid maid she shows Her form in beauty fair, And the Immaculate Conception truth Her sacred lips declare.” (Unattributed hymn from the Roman Breviary)

Final Glory:

Following Jesus is no amiable, user-friendly morality. It is as tough as the nails that impaled Jesus on the wood. But from that came the glorious joy of the Resurrection.

Beatitudes:

We can only understand the truth of Jesus’ “Beatitudes” if we have faith in Him who is our Saviour. Thus, when Jesus preaches,“Blessed are you who are poor, hungry now, weeping now, and the like,”we have to challenge ourselves to affirm that His saving Presence is truly within our human pains and sufferings.

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We must look upon all the things of this world, as none of ours, and not desire them. This world and that to come are two enemies. We cannot, therefore, be friends to both; but we must resolve which we would forsake, and which we would enjoy.

- Saint Clement of Alexandria

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Jer 17:5-8
Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
1 Cor 15:12, 16-20
Lk 6:17, 20-26

Over the years, I've had occasion to meet men and women who are single-minded in their pursuit of justice and their dedication to helping those on the margins of society. One thing most of these folks have in common is their ability to get right to the point. Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, with the "Sunday Soundbite" for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

That's the feeling I get from the Gospel for this Sunday. We're all familiar with Matthew's presentation of Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount." Today, Luke offers us a sermon of Jesus as well. But the setting isn't a mountainside. Rather, the Lord stands on a stretch of level ground. And Luke's version of Christ's "Beatitudes" is also different from Matthew's. They're shorter, more direct, and focus more on the physical reality of poverty. In Matthew, Jesus speaks of the "poor in spirit"; in Luke, he says, "Blessed are you who are poor." And the blessings are quickly followed by a list of woes for those who are rich and satisfied.

Luke's Gospel overall is known for a focus on the poor. The fact of enduring poverty or other troubles seems to offer a perspective on God which helps us realize that we need to depend on God for everything. That's a challenging message, one that we nevertheless need to hear. And we can thank Luke for capturing that part of what Jesus came to proclaim.

Scripture:

•Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:7)

•He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:3)

•Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. (Luke 16:22)

•But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. (Luke 16:24)

Reflection:

•Can hunger be satisfied and remain hunger?

•What does spiritual hunger feel like?

•Can the rich be consoled and remain rich?

•Why do possessions choke off the spiritual quest for God?

•How is it possible to yield fruit but “never fade”?

•What gives life more abundant than running water?

The invisible became visible, the intangible became tangible in Christ. History has been shocked into new life since Jesus came to play a part in it: the cosmos has become a sacred offering since the Word took flesh from a woman living within the cosmos.
God has become human, the Word has become a child, Immensity has accepted limitations.
The infinite has become finite.
The unknowable has made himself known.
Omnipotence became a child.
The immutable accepted suffering.
The perfect one took the burden of sin.
Life was attained through death.
Love was expressed as resurrection.
Jesus became our brother…

Loving Framework:

Rules alone are not enough. They should flow from a communion with God and a decision to be a follower of Jesus.

Excited – “Externals”:

In today’s Gospel about Martha and Mary, we are reminded that while we need to do many things in life for our family and friends, we must not forget the deeper meaning of “why we do what we do.” Our lives, deeds, words etc. must be lived out of our love for the Lord.

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I know what my duty is. With the grace of God, I will carry it out to the end without hatred towards anyone, and without fear from anyone.

- Blessed Alojzije Stepinac (1898-1960)

The Source:

Our society seems to hold that we can be morally good without God. Jesus would say we need to be in touch with the source of goodness—God—so we can be good.

Deaf and Dumb:

In today’s Gospel Jesus healed a deaf and dumb person. Do we need to be healed of any obstacles that we may be putting in God’s ways or in the lives of people who want to know and love God more. Ponder on our thoughts, words and deeds more deeply.

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The heart is rich when it is content, and it is always content when its desires are fixed on God.

- Saint Miguel Febres Cordero Muñoz (1854-1910)

Sanctifying Grace:

When a ray of light strikes a crystal, it gives a new quality to the crystal. And when God’s infinitely disinterested love plays upon a human soul, the same kind of thing takes place. And that is the life called sanctifying grace.

Deaf and Dumb:

In today’s Gospel Jesus healed a deaf and dumb person. Do we need to be healed of any obstacles that we may be putting in God’s ways or in the lives of people who want to know and love God more. Ponder on our thoughts, words and deeds more deeply.

Humility – Faith:

The Syro-Phonecian woman in today’s Gospel taught us that if we are humble, we will receive abundant graces from God. But, if we are proud and do not feel we need the help of God and others, then we will learn the bitter truth of how frail, fallible and finite we human beings are.

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We must fear God out of love, not love Him out of fear.

- Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

The Spirit of the World, the Spirit of God:

The spirit of the world, which is selfishness and envy and conspiracy and lust and terror, makes men loud from the fear of their own hollowness. But the Spirit of God gives them peace, teaches them not to be afraid but to find themselves in quiet.

Spoken Word:

Jesus says, “It is the things that come out of someone that make a person unclean.” We are each challenged to be responsible for what we say. We are capable of hurting people, dividing families, driving away God’s love and truth from others. Ponder more carefully before we react to people and situations.

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The power of prayer extinguishes the strength of fire, restrains the raging of lions, settles wars and fights, endures storms, escapes devils, opens the doors of heaven, breaks the bonds of death, casts out diseases, repels injuries, and strengthens shattered cities.

- Saint John Chrysostom

Vocation:

Each one of us has some kind of vocation. We are all called by God to share in His life and in His Kingdom. Each one of us is called to a special place in the Kingdom. If we find that place we will be happy.

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If you are far from a house of prayer, do not trouble yourself to seek for one, for you yourself are a sanctuary designed for prayer. If you are in bed, or in any other place, pray there; your temple is there.

- St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Steadfast Love:

God’s love is steadfast. In the midst of our darkest moments, God’s love is present with us. The knowledge of that love anchors our lives in times of great distress.

God’s Healing Graces:

Many, like those in today’s(040207) Gospel, are hungering for God’s healing graces. Ask yourself which part of your life is in most need of Jesus’ healing graces. Entrust your need to Jesus in prayer and listen to Him saying to you, “Fear not I will heal you. Trust me more fully.”

Good News:

We should seriously ponder on how God is challenging us to make His Good News known. This could be done either through our good deeds of services, forgiveness of hurts or words to encourage others to love, trust and hope in God more deeply. What is God saying to you today?

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My friend, I have prayed to God. On my part, I have done what I should do. Now do your part.

- Saint John de Brito (1647-1693)


Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am - you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil.

- Saint Agatha (d. 250)

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Is 6:1-2a, 3-8
Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11
Lk 5:1-11

The satiric duo in the TV comedy routine called "Wayne’s World," had a signature line: "We’re not worthy!" That was their response to the presence of rock stars they were interviewing. The routine still brings laughs. Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, with the "Sunday Soundbite" for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

A more serious confession of unworthiness appears in our Scriptures today. First, Isaiah has a vision of God, seated on the heavenly throne. The scene is so overwhelming that Isaiah not only proclaims his unworthiness, but is afraid he’ll be struck dead! God has a job for him: Isaiah will speak on God’s behalf to the people.

In the Gospel, Peter professes his sinfulness after Jesus helps him and his colleagues bring in a miraculous catch of fish. Peter knows he’s in the presence of divine power. He knows he’s not worthy! But Jesus also has a job in mind: fishing for people. The implications might not have been clear to these apostles-to-be, but their response is immediate and bold. They leave everything to follow Jesus.

We probably wouldn’t put ourselves in the shoes (or sandals) of either Isaiah or Peter. But that doesn’t mean we’re not called by God! The fact of our Baptism means that we have a vocation, a call, that’s just as certain as our Biblical heroes today. If so, what do we need to leave behind as we respond to that call?

Scripture:

•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!” (Isaiah 6:8)

•When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (Psalm 138:3)

•But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God (that is) with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

•Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:10b,11)

Reflection:

•Do all of these Scripture readings exhibit God’s grace?

•How was Isaiah able to say, “send me”?

•What does “they left everything and followed him” mean to you?

•How is Paul able to say, “by the grace of God I am what I am”?

•How do you accept or access this grace?

Conversion is the change of our lives that comes about through the power of the Holy Spirit.…This is crucial: we must be converted—and we must continue to be converted. We must let the Holy Spirit change our lives! We must respond to Jesus Christ. And we must be open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit who will continue to convert us as we follow Christ.…The gospel must overflow from each heart until the presence of God transforms all human existence.

God Gave Us the Gift of Speech:

With our speech we can build up others, encourage them, let them know that we love and appreciate them. We can comfort others when they are down and help people through tragedies. These are ways of using the gift of speech to build up the life of Christ within us and others.

“Solitude”:

After the apostles had worked hard the whole day, Jesus brought them to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. We, too, need some solitude time for ourselves each day. One way to do this is to set aside some private moments to be with the Lord; to listen to His Spirit through quiet prayer.

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My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings.

- Saint Isaac Jogues (1607-1646)

Presentation of the Lord

At the end of the fourth century, a woman named Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Her journal, discovered in 1887, gives an unprecedented glimpse of liturgical life there. Among the celebrations she describes is the Epiphany (January 6), the observance of Christ’s birth, and the gala procession in honor of his Presentation in the Temple 40 days later—February 15. (Under the Mosaic Law, a woman was ritually “unclean” for 40 days after childbirth, when she was to present herself to the priests and offer sacrifice—her “purification.” Contact with anyone who had brushed against mystery—birth or death—excluded a person from Jewish worship.) This feast emphasizes Jesus’ first appearance in the Temple more than Mary’s purification.

The observance spread throughout the Western Church in the fifth and sixth centuries. Because the Church in the West celebrated Jesus’ birth on December 25, the Presentation was moved to February 2, 40 days after Christmas.

At the beginning of the eighth century, Pope Sergius inaugurated a candlelight procession; at the end of the same century the blessing and distribution of candles which continues to this day became part of the celebration, giving the feast its popular name: Candlemas.

Comment:

In Luke’s account, Jesus was welcomed in the temple by two elderly people, Simeon and the widow Anna. They embody Israel in their patient expectation; they acknowledge the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Early references to the Roman feast dub it the feast of St. Simeon, the old man who burst into a song of joy which the Church still sings at day’s end.

Quote:

“Christ himself says, ‘I am the light of the world.’ And we are the light, we ourselves, if we receive it from him.... But how do we receive it, how do we make it shine? ...[T]he candle tells us: by burning, and being consumed in the burning. A spark of fire, a ray of love, an inevitable immolation are celebrated over that pure, straight candle, as, pouring forth its gift of light, it exhausts itself in silent sacrifice” (Paul VI).

God’s Gifts for Us:

God’s love, which causes him to lavish gifts upon us, so transcends us that no amount of good actions, pious thoughts, or holy words can every merit what he gives us. When we recognize and accept our unworthiness before God, we can then bask in the vastness of God’s love and gifts.

Church’s Law:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ parents obeyed the Law and brought baby Jesus to be consecrated to the Lord. Today, in the Sacraments of “Initiation” (i.e. of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion), instituted by Christ, we also “consecrate” ourselves to the Lord. Are we serious when we receive these Sacraments?

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It is not our perfection which is to dazzle God, who is surrounded by myriads of angels. No, it is our misery, our wretchedness avowed which draws down his mercy.

- Blessed Columba Marion (1858-1923)

Generosity to God and Others:

We can be generous toward God and toward others because we know that God will be generous toward us. Let’s not pass up opportunities to reach out to others and to give of ourselves.

Serving God:

We are all called to serve in God’s Kingdom in different ways regardless of our vocations. In today’s Gospel Jesus instructed His apostles to be detached from things of the secular world if they want to serve God more fully. Do we have any such unnecessary “baggage”?

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Oh what remorse we shall feel at the end of our lives, when we look back upon the great number of instructions and examples afforded by God and the Saints for our perfection, and so carelessly received by us! If this end were to come to you today, how would you be pleased with the life you have led this year?

- Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)