Catholic Calendar for Monday, January 31, 2005
Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
St. John Bosco, priest

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 11:32-40
Psalm 31:20-24
Mark 5:2-20

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today, we witness Christ's great power as He casts out a demon that mercilessly tormented a man for a long time. But the beauty of this gospel message is not contained totally in the miracle: much of it is found it what happened afterward:

"The man went off and began to proclaim ...what Jesus had done for him."

This, my friends, is where we find the beauty in this story. How many new believers were born because of what that man proclaimed? Maybe 1000! Maybe only one. The point is that Jesus performed this miracle not only to make this man well again, but to spread the Good News to all people.

How many of us are here today because of a miracle performed by our Lord? How many of us have been freed from depression, drugs, alcohol, sexual excess or any of the other demons which plague us today? Have we completed the work that Jesus performed in us? Have we gone off and proclaimed what Jesus has done for us?

Live the entire beauty of the Gospel - tell your story - spread the Good News!

- Don Claunch

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Catholic Calendar for Sunday, January 30, 2005
The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13
Psalm 146:6-10
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Matthew 5:1-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Blessed.... (Matthew 5:1-12a)

Jesus reveals blessings as graces to correspond with the love beloveds gift to their BeLoved God; their I-have-Loved-you-first One, who draws all to Himself. He teaches that love that suffers with one's life for the beLoved empties self to welcome God's indwelling kingdom.

Jesus, the compassionate One takes in Himself all our suffering and invites mourners to rest in His all knowing wounds.

We learn from the I-have-Loved-you-first One, who humbles Himself to be accessible to all souls; when we are empty we possess all.

Jesus promises His grace to those who are inspired by Him and aspire to love Him truly. He is the breath of souls in Love that only the Word can feed and quench.

His tender beloving embraces whatever must be suffered to bridge redemption across what only Love can heal. One in the One we will to carry what others impose unrepented. The I-have-Loved-you-first cross bearer, Whose passion for souls suffers all in peace, inspires one to suffer with redemptive hope what may not yet be repented.

The soul that desires only the Beloved, makes ready a soul that beholds the One who desires with all He is, the simple, pure love we will to Him.

Jesus conquers all sin and restores Life, expressing victory in His first resurrected Word, "Peace." Those who tenderly suffer to redeem souls in Him are indeed begotten of Him.

The faithful one relies on grace and resists temptation and spiritual assaults to remain One with the Lord who reigns in his soul, protected by this graced and willing soul.

The I-have-Loved-you-first One who silently suffers every evil for us at the hands of sin, trusts us to share His co-redemptive suffering. Our reward is the King's reward, souls redeemed through suffering into the One Love.

O Lord,
may we love souls in You
as You have first loved us,
all in All.
Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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Catholic Calendar for Saturday, January 29, 2005
Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19
Luke 1:69-75
Mark 4:35-41

A reflection on today's sacred scripture:

The reading from Hebrews is designed to stir our faith, courage, and endurance. I don't think many of us have a problem remembering difficulties along the road of our spiritual journey. While none of our past trials can equal St. Paul's, we would certainly not wish them repeated. And yet, would we be as strong or seasoned today without yesterday's challenges? No one enjoys suffering, yet most progress in the spiritual life comes through pain, sorrow, and darkness. As Jesus was strengthened in His terrible passion by the Spirit, so the same Spirit is present to us, supporting and consoling us, giving us wisdom to grow and mature.

Thus the seeds we sow of service and compassion, proclaiming the Word and forgiving the ones who offend us, help the Kingdom of God grow into that huge mustard tree Jesus talked about in the Gospel. Although in nature, many seeds are lost, in the realm of the spirit, no good action, no thought, no prayer, no suffering, is useless or void in helping the Kingdom of God come to fulness.

O Lord, help me in patience to be a seed-bearer for the kingdom, never losing courage even when my efforts are spurned or shown contempt by those who need to be converted, enlightened, and saved. Give them your grace; and for myself the strength to persevere until harvest time. Amen.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Friday, January 28, 2005
Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
St. Thomas Aquinas, religious, priest, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 10:32-39
Psalm 37:3-6,23-24,39-40
Mark 4:26-34

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"He spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. . ."

Today we hear two of the parables Jesus used to deliver his teachings. And we hear the point of speaking in parables. Parables, while beautiful, succinct, and pointed, are not there merely to show that Jesus was a profound poet. They are there because this was the language people understood. When He spoke this way, people could get the message.

So it should be also when we act for Jesus. We should speak in a way that addresses the needs and the understanding of our audience. Sometimes that means we do not speak at all, but we silently and joyfully live out our Christian Witness. We can more profoundly affect some people by showing them the peace and the joy that comes from living in union with God.

On the other hand, some people need words, some need challenged, some need persuaded, some need convinced, and some need encouraged. Person by person we may not know what our words need to do. However, the Holy Spirit does. And so before we speak, if ever so briefly, we should ask the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say or the person to say them. Just as God sent Aaron with Moses to speak with Pharaoh, perhaps we are merely the instruments of introduction--that we do not need to sow the seed, but that is left to another.

Whatever the circumstances may be, whenever we speak or act, it should be with a small prayer that our speech or actions call others to worship the God we know and adore. Each day we should pray to learn to speak the word to them as they are able to understand it.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Thursday, January 27, 2005
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
St. Angela Merici, virgin

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 10:19-25
Psalm 24:1-6
Mark 4:21-25

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The measure with which you measure will be measured to you. (Mark 4:24)

God's grace is an ever-present reality in this world; but it is accessible only to those who are teachable, to those whose minds and hearts seek to discover the cause and purpose of human life, what lies beyond the events of each day. By pursuing in this journey of discovery, we become people of faith, draw ever closer to our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, our One God Who manifests Himself in three distinct Persons. Jesus speaks to us in parables; His reference to light doesn't baffle us but stimulates our thought, points us in the direction of attaining a new life and so achieve the fullness of humanity God intends.

What is this fullness of humanity? It is our recognition and acceptance that we are God's creatures brought into being to share in His perfect life, to wholly participate in His love and truth. Christ is the light of the world Who personifies God's perfect truth and love. If we listen to Jesus, Christ's living Word, and submit ourselves to His Holy Spirit's sanctifying grace, we can achieve the fullness of humanity which enables us to live in joy and peace.

As we draw closer to Christ, He bathes our inner beings with His light, fills us with the desire to share it with those who lack it, that they too will seek God, turn to Him in pursuit of living in His goodness. The law of love is that the more we give of ourselves to others, the more we will receive of His love within our hearts. It is the constant flow of God's love into the world through believers that leads us and our neighbors to salvation.

Eternal Light,
shine brightly within us
and through us into this world.
Bring us to acceptance
that following You,
the Christ,
is our only way to salvation.
Amen

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Timothy and Saint Titus, bishops

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5
Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10
Mark 4:1-20

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The readings of today highlight how blessed we Christians are for the gifts that we each have been given. These readings at Mass also emphasize our responsibilities to properly receive and develop these gifts, not just let them go to waste.

In the first reading of Paul to Timothy, Paul speaks of his own role as an "apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God." (2 Tim. 1:1) We can say the same of ourselves as baptized Christians. It is by the will of God that we have our individual missions to assist in building up His kingdom. Paul urged that Timothy "stir into flame the gift of God." (2 Tim. 1:1-8 ) Can we say of ourselves that we continue on a regular basis to inflame these gifts of God, the gifts received through our baptism and confirmation?

The gospel of today continues the theme with Christ instructing not only the multitudes, but later His own twelve apostles regarding the word falling on rich soil and producing fruit. We can work at being 'rich soil' through a regular prayer life, an openness to the Holy Spirit, spiritual reading, especially of scripture, reception of the sacraments, and attendance at Holy Mass. Or, we can let ourselves become 'rocky ground' where nothing spiritual is happening and the Word of God cannot grow and bear fruit through us. The decision is ours. What a wonderful opportunity we have! The choice is ours!

Saints Timothy and Titus, pray for us!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Final day in the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the apostle

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 22:3-16
Psalm 117:1-2
Mark 16:15-18

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today we hear Paul telling the Jews in Jerusalem about his conversion. It's a powerful story about the power of God working upon the heart of a once-unbelieving and indeed aggressively persecuting man.

This story has wonderful implications in our own day, as we hear of the communications between Israel and Rome, It gives us a tremendous sense of hope, recognizing that God is present and has not abandoned his call to those who might otherwise be lost.

Let us with sincere and unceasing prayer ask that the hearts of our Jewish brethren be changed. Let us, by our sacrifice and prayer, cause the Holy Spirit to intervene again in a most dramatic way as he did with Paul. Let the words of the Psalm echo in our minds and hearts.

O that my people would heed me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
At once, I would subdue their foes,
turn my hand against their enemies.

The call of God continues to all his people. Let us who have been blessed and have heard and believed, dedicate our lives to fasting and prayer that the Father's intention, that none might be lost, might be a reality.

Dearest Lord, thank you for the great gift of faith that you have given me.
Let me live my life in thanksgiving and praise.
Let my every action be a living witness
that you alone are God,
you alone are the Holy one,
you alone are the Lord.
To you O Lord,
be honor and glory and praise
forever and ever.
Amen, Amen....

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Monday, January 24, 2005
Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 9:15,24-28
Psalm 98:1-6
Mark 3:22-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

A house divided against itself will not stand

Christ's warning given two thousand years ago is just as valid today. Let's face it, the church today is divided. It's a common occurrence to see inter-and intra-denominational bickering on all sorts of things, which, at times, escalates into physical violence. We seem to be so busy battling each other that we lose sight of the true battle and the real enemy. We are divided.

Christ promised to return to His bride, the Church. But He does not want a bride broken as it is now.

So now is the time to mend the breaks, to join in unity to fight a common enemy and all his evils. And the place to start is with ourselves by ceasing our own misdirected attacks and by prayer:

Dear Lord, grant me the wisdom
to see what I have in common
with my fellow Christians,
and to overlook our differences
so I may join with them
in one common voice of praise to You,
my Almighty Father.
O Jesus, give this wisdom to all your people,
that together in unity we do your will
and become the pure, unbroken bride
anxiously awaiting your glorious return.
Amen

- Don Claunch

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Catholic Calendar for Sunday, January 23, 2005
The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 8:23--9:3
Psalm 27:1,4,13-14
1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17
Matthew 4:12-23

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand" (Matthew 4:17)

Jesus, the Way, proclaims the good news that forgiveness and remission for sin through Him is opening the Kingdom of Heaven and full union in God for repentant souls. God does not abide where sin is nor does one in sin abide where God is. Sin separates us from God.

Souls choose to "enter in" and "remain in" union with God through Jesus, the Way, who forgives sin in the sacrament of penance. In souls freed from sin, Jesus establishes His Kingdom and remains united through His gift of holy Eucharistic presence.

The Kingdom, the Promised Land, our inheritance, our covenantal union is the very bosom of God into which He most tenderly and lovingly receives us united in the gift of Self presented by His only begotten Son. We are joined as One in Him. "I pray that they may be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me." (John 17:20,21)

We realize with St. Paul, as Jesus transforms us and unites us in Himself, "I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me."(Gal.2:20)
The Word is made flesh and the Kingdom of God is proclaimed anew in each transformed soul!

Most merciful Lord,
illumine my sins so I may repent
and Thy will be done in the earth of my daily living
as it is in the heaven of my eternal soul
proclaiming the good news that Your kingdom is at hand.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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Catholic Calendar for Saturday, January 22, 2005
Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
St. Vincent, deacon and martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 9:2-3,11-14
Psalm 47:2-3,6-9
Mark 3:20-21

A reflection on today's sacred scripture:

Our two readings today complement each other beautifully: the first emphasizes the divine nature of Jesus, the true priest and mediator, while second reading emphasizes the human nature of Jesus, connected to many blood relatives. As the "old" religion failed to take away sin, barring the people from the presence of their God in the Holy of Holies, so now Jesus, Son of God come to earth, gives free access to all people, now purified from sin by the saving Blood of the Redeemer. Their God, once remote and separated, has now become accessible and intimate as a loving Shepherd and Savior.

What a price Jesus has paid as a member of a human family. Embarrassed and fearful for this "odd" family member who stirs up the authorities by his disturbing teaching, Jesus' relatives try to keep him from public ministry. Not only are they afraid for his safety, they are also afraid for themselves should the Roman authorities take action to silence this rebel. At what price Jesus' carries out his ministry, resisted by the religious leadership and even by his own family! Saddened and heartbroken by failing to find support in those closest to him, He courageously pursues his course, finding more understanding from strangers, outcasts and sinners.

And those of us who call ourselves his chosen followers, are we as quick to defend the Christ before His modern-day detractors? Do we console His heart by our love, our loyalty, and our acts of reparation?

Dear Jesus, forgive me for my lukewarm Christian life. Am I embarrassed and afraid too?

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Friday, January 21, 2005
Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
St. Agnes, virgin and martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 8:6-13
Psalm 85:8,10-14
Mark 3:13-19

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

He summoned those He wanted. . .

Jesus withdrew a little ways. He went up a mountain. And having established a place there, He called to Himself those who would become His voice to the world. He summoned the many disciples and from them He chose and raised to special rank the Apostles. And from that mountain stronghold of prayer He sent them forth into the world to spread the Good News of salvation and to share the presence of the Messiah.

Jesus still calls those whom He wants up the mountain. First and chief, the Priests who stand in persona Christi (in the place of Christ) at Mass and who mediate in the sacrament of reconciliation. But also the great many lay ministers whose work complements and completes that of the Priests. The Priests prepare for us the banquet of Word and Presence, but they cannot fulfill alone all aspects of the mission that we are all called.

We are evangelists, and we are helpers in the world. We are pray-ers, and we are healers. We are each called to function in the body of Christ and to bring the whole to exaltation. Jesus calls us to the quiet. He calls us to Himself. And when we listen and go, He gives us each our own commission.

So remember that no matter what your place in the Body, it is the place carved out for you because you alone were able to fill that place. Christ has summoned you and given you a special command, and a special place in which to help and nurture the entire body of Christ. Rejoice in the provisions of so generous a Savior who loves each of us for whom we are, and demands nothing of us but what our hearts long for most--a place to rest and a love that fulfills.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Thursday, January 20, 2005
Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
St. Fabian, pope, martyr
St. Sebastian, martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 7:25--8:6
Psalm 40:7-10,17
Mark 3:7-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"You are the Son of God" (Mark 3:11)

Today's readings emphasize the absolute and supreme power of God vested in Jesus Christ, perfect man and perfect God. He is, in human flesh, the personification of the Almighty, holy, undefiled, Who offered Himself up as the final, unblemished sacrificial Lamb
to die for our sins and so reconcile us with our heavenly Father. Because of His obedience to His Father's plan, His total, self-giving love for our salvation, He received authority over all things, people and every evil power.

In Old Testament times animal sacrifice was practiced by the Israelites as means to acknowledge and repent of their sins; but the blood of mere animals could not erase their sin, the offense against their all-holy God. The only remedy against sin is death, for a dead person can no longer sin. God, in Christ's human flesh representing all mankind, put our sin to death upon the cross. Jesus' substitutionary death satisfied God's justice, for God cannot deny this virtue demanded by His perfect holiness. However, it did much more, since His resurrection from the dead was a promise to us of a new life.

We who desire to participate in this new life, through faith in Christ, are called to die to our sinful flesh by allowing His Holy Spirit to teach us to work out our salvation by participating in God's very virtues and so make His goodness known to this world.

O merciful God,
enable us to begin living Christ's resurrected life
on this earth,
that we may make His kingdom visible in this world
and attract many to Him.
Amen

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 7:1-3,15-17
Psalm 110:1-4
Mark 3:1-6

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good?"

This seems like such an easy question to us. Of course, it is always lawful to do good.

But not so easy to people who may have been confused by the rules, who may not have gotten God's commandments all straight. After all, you weren't supposed to walk more than a small portion of a mile on a sabbath, nor were to you to do any work.

How many of us are still bound up in following those "old rules." How many of us say, "Well, I keep the ten commandments, and the golden rule--that should be enough."

Is it? Is it ever enough? Apparently Jesus didn't think so. He kept the commandments of love, even when it seemed that He was breaking other rules. He kept on loving us until He died. And He loves us even now.

It isn't enough to follow the rules. The rules help us know when we stray. But what we must do, what we are called to do, is not follow the rules, but follow Jesus. Sometimes that means that the letter of the law may be left behind even as we fulfill the spirit. Most of the time it means that we follow the rules more perfectly than we could ever possibly do by just following the rule. Follow Jesus with perfect love, and love each other and all your brothers with perfect love, and the answers to Jesus' questions will probably be a lot clearer to you.

- JuandelaCruz

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Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Second Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 6:10-20
Psalm 111:1-2,4-5,9-10
Mark 2:23-28

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's Gospel we see how Jesus is beginning to teach the people about the Jewish law and His relationship with it. It is interesting to see that He turns upside down their notion of the Sabbath with it's strict and confining practices. It's not to diminish the need of the people to slow down from normal practices in order to rest and praise God, but to teach them that it is not God who needs praise, but man who needs to give it.

He goes on to say that He has power over the Sabbath as He is the Son of Man -- a real man and yet Divine -- so He is entitled to speak about it and interpret the regulations concerning it.

As we know The Jewish leaders were not impressed or convinced, but instead thought He was an arrogant interloper.

What is the message for us? Perhaps it is to accept what Jesus taught, even if it differs from our 'notion' of Church law. That requires humility and obedience and ultimately the wisdom to see that all Church laws are directed toward our salvation and are not restrictive 'hoop-jumping' activities.

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Monday, January 17, 2005
Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
St. Anthony, abbot

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 5:1-10
Psalm 110:1-4
Mark 2:18-22

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's Gospel message says we should not put or sew the "new" into or onto what is "old." It seems like reasonable advice, but I wonder what did Jesus really mean?

At times like this, the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit is so essential. In fact, when we think we understand, maybe its even more imperative that we seek the Holy Spirit to illumine the truth or falsehood of our perceptions.

The Holy Spirit will never mislead us if we are determined to seek Him in truth, with humility and with perfect love and trust. The Spirit's good counsel will open our minds; the truth will become clear, the message more succinct and readily applicable.

Jesus did not come to patch up what was wrong with the ancient law--to fill in the worn out spots with new cloth--but to create a new, holy, and wholly new garment. He did not want us to just take in what He preached and taught as if we were wine skins that could be filled up with what ever new teaching might come along.

Jesus demanded that we become a new creation clothed in the garment of His love, changed creatures with a new heart living in new "skins."

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds

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Catholic Calendar for Sunday, January 16, 2005
The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 49:3,5-6
Psalm 40:2,4,7-10
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
John 1:29-34

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
...He is the Son of God." (John 1:29,34)

The eyes of the soul of St. John the Baptist open to the life-changing revelation of God present before him and he proclaims, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ...He is the Son of God."

John's invocation "beholds" with holy awe and tender be-loving, God before Him. We too, tenderly belove in holy awe the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world as we gaze upon Him in His most holy Eucharistic presence. We lovingly embrace our beloved in Holy Communion. We tenderly behold Him in the tabernacles of our souls and in the monstrances of our daily lives, making Him known for others to behold.

John voices God's revelation of the promised Redeemer who takes away sin and baptizes with the Holy Spirit. He traces this Truth in his soulful recalling, "He is the One of whom I said 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me,'" He recognizes the Creator re-creating, making all things new. John explains he is to make Him known whom he did not know.

O Lord,
make known Your presence within us
as in holy awe we behold You, the "I Am Who Am"
making us One in You.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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Catholic Calendar for Saturday, January 15, 2005
Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 4:12-16
Psalm 19:8-10,15
Mark 2:13-17

A reflection on today's sacred scripture:

Has it ever occurred to you that Jesus must have been excited about choosing his disciples? The mission had begun, and He was using what seemed like chance encounters to pick here and there. He already had four fishermen. Now he was about to choose a tax collector. What is so amazing is that Matthew left his post immediately to follow Jesus. We wonder what that conversation must have been that night as the friends of Matthew learned with astonishment of his new calling. We can be sure some tried to dissuade him.

We must ponder very seriously the readings about the early call of the disciples. What was the secret of Jesus' appeal? We know the personality of Jesus must have been very attractive. And His words must have had a magnetism as well, words about 'freedom from sin' and 'a time for justice' and 'hope for the downtrodden'. Let us relive in our imaginations the sense of joy and celebration which accompanied His words.

Jesus asks us to convey this fire and enthusiasm to our young people. They must be stirred to love for the Christ if ever they are to follow him. We must pray with all our hearts that the call of Jesus Christ will be heard and acted upon in these critical times of priest shortage. He is walking our streets and searching for the hearts of those who will listen.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Friday, January 14, 2005
Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 4:1-5,11
Psalm 78:3-4,6-8
Mark 2:1-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Child, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:5)

Jesus healed the whole person. He never granted a healing without reference to wholeness. Often it was "Go, your sins are forgiven."

For Jesus, then and now, it isn't physical disability that makes one unfit for service in the Kingdom. It is sin. Sin is a crippler far greater than not being able to walk or to see. These things cripple in this world. Sin cripples for all eternity. Sin keeps us out of the kingdom of Heaven. Sin proclaims our independence from our Sovereign Lord and God.

But we are not independent, and sometimes circumstances converge to make that clear to us. When this happens, we need to take action. We need to take the roof off the house and be lowered down to Jesus for his healing touch. Isn't it nice that the Church has made this feasible and even approachable through the sacrament of penance. We go and say, "Lord Jesus, heal me." And we emerge, perhaps not physically better off, but certainly better suited for eternity.

Jesus will heal us where we do not know we are wounded. In his wounds is our salvation and our hope. He was broken that we might be made whole--so take advantage of it now while it is still possible. And give glory to the God who makes such provision for us!

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Thursday, January 13, 2005
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
St. Hilary, bishop and doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 3:7-14
Psalm 95:6-11
Mark 1:40-45

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Go show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing
what Moses prescribed. (Mark 1:44)

Our reading from Hebrews implies that a person who persists in sin becomes so insensitive to his condition that he sinks ever more deeply into its mire. Ignoring God's calls, His tugs at our conscience, blinds us to His truth and consequently also to His love; for the two are inseparable. Shutting God out, results in our becoming self-willed, selfish and self-righteous; we then justify this behavior through delusions and rationalizations. Man, apart from God can never achieve full humanity; his physical body may continue to function, but his spiritual being will perish, essentially be dead to God. The Hebrews are reminded that we're called to be "partners" with Christ in bringing His salvation into this world by living in His goodness, truth and love.

Our Gospel may puzzle us, for Jesus instructs the man He healed from leprosy (an incurable and grossly disfiguring disease) to remain silent but to show himself the Temple priest and make the proper offering in thanksgiving. It appears that Jesus was not simply trying to attract the crowds to Himself as a miracle worker. His primary concern was to penetrate the hardened hearts of religious officials to see that the compassionate power of God was visiting them in Him, the person of the Messiah. Sadly, He was seen as a threat to their "religion" rather than a blessing to their nation--God's final fulfillment of His law of love.

O Compassionate God,
inspire in us a genuine conversion of heart,
that we may admit to and turn away from our sin
and make your salvation known to the world.
Amen

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 2:14-18
Psalm 105:1-4,6-9
Mark 1:29-39

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's first reading explains that Jesus did not help the angels, but rather us, the descendants of Abraham. To do so He became like us in every way.

There are probably endless ways the Father might have chosen to redeem us. For instance, Christ might have died as an infant at the hands of Herod with the Holy Innocents. Instead Christ lived His life among us, serving not only as our Savior, our Redeemer, but also as a role model for future Christians.

In the gospel we hear that Christ was up before dawn and off to a deserted place to pray. We see Him mingling among the sick and possessed, unafraid to touch and heal them. We hear of Christ moving around among the villages, always teaching and reaching out to others with love and concern.

Surely, the Son of God might have chosen a more luxurious, inactive lifestyle, and just allowed His demise at some point for our salvation, but that was not in His nature, nor can it be for us, His followers. There is much work to be done in building up the Kingdom of God. We struggle to find a balance between activity and getting our own needed rest; but before either, we turn like Christ to prayer in order that His will be done, not ours.

Thy Kingdom come!
Thy will be done!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, January 11, 2005
First Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 2:5-12
Psalm 8:2,5-9
Mark 1:21-28

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Once again the Church begins to tell the stories of the ministry and mystery of our Incarnate God, Jesus. For us they are stories we've heard many many times, so often that we fail to appreciate the astonishing things that they reveal.

We're the blessed recipients of centuries of a faith tradition that has come to believe in the Divine nature and power of Jesus -- and at the same time, the sorry souls who fail to appreciate the Gospel miracles and take for granted all that Jesus said and did. We expect Jesus to forgive our sins, heal our brokenness, give Himself to us under the appearance of bread and wine -- and yet we forget what great and generous miracles these gifts are!

As we begin this season of Ordinary Time, let us beg the Holy Spirit to give us the fervor of the Gospel witnesses who were astounded and amazed and marveled! This year, this time around, may we hear and read and meditate on Holy Scripture permeated by a new outpouring of the Spirit's gift of wonder and awe.

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Monday, January 10, 2005
Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hebrews 1:1-6
Psalm 97:1-2,6-7,9
Mark 1:14-20

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's Gospel we hear the evangelist use the phrase "good news." We've often heard it, but perhaps we've never really spent the time to contemplate all the meaning it contains. Like others, I fear I've become a little too familiar with it, have said it, and have thought about it too superficially.

It seems so true that much of what God reveals is at once simple, easily understood--at least on the surface. Because of the very simplicity of the words we almost instantly, at least intellectually, "get it." I suppose that's what God intended--that we would be able to comprehend Him and His goodness.

What we fail to appreciate, and sometimes miss altogether, is that we must go beyond knowing--to loving! We must exercise not just our intellect that resides in our mind, but also our "will" that resides in our heart. We must not only know; we must respond to what we have seen and what we have heard. We must be grateful, loving, humble, obedient.

As we enter this new liturgical season, let us pray:

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
make my heart like unto thine.
Amen

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds

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Catholic Calendar for Sunday, January 9, 2005
The Baptism of the Lord

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7
Psalm 29:1-4,9-10
Acts 10:34-38
Matthew 3:13-17

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Cooperators with God's Grace

Jesus "entered in" to the waters of the Jordan, and "entered in" to the eyes of the soul of His beholder, John the Baptist. John in holy awe, recognizes God humbly coming to him and obediently defers to His request to cooperate.

With Jesus' entering, these waters made holy by the very presence of "God in them," become the Life-giving waters of Baptism. These holy waters also remind and recall us to God when we "enter in" through the fonts in our churches or at home where we sign ourselves with Holy Water. We "step in" with the free will He gave us, to be recreated, transformed, and made new.

Jesus, Who is pure, "enters in" to make pure and holy, the "Water" which cleanses our souls and restores them to their pure state before the original sin of man. It is holy Water coming forth from Jesus' pierced side that commingles with His precious blood of the New and Everlasting Covenant. It is the holy Water of this Very Word Incarnate, by which we never again thirst. Jesus is the Life-Giving Water Who baptizes and sustains us. Jesus elicits from the bosom of heaven the Holy Spirit confirmed by the Father's voice as His Son whom He beloves and with whom He is well-pleased.

O Lord, may we cooperate, disposing our wills to You at all times with whatever You ask, so that Jesus may "enter in" to recreate, transform and make all things new. Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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Catholic Calendar for Saturday, January 8, 2005
Saturday after Epiphany

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 5:14-21
Psalm 149:1-6,9
John 3:22-30

A reflection on today's sacred scripture:

All during this week, we have been meditating on various aspects of "light", and how Jesus is the true Light that banishes darkness. Much as we would like always to have banished darkness from our lives, various forms of wrongdoing persist. As long as this wrongdoing is not a fundamental rejection of our faith, and therefore "unto death", Jesus will forgive us over and over again. He is our true and only Mediator with the Father.

Lord Jesus, may less and less darkness penetrate my life. If and when any sin blocks out your loving gaze, send a strong beam of light to my soul and inspire me with instant contrition. Let the shadows flee, leaving only the glow of your healing rays to warm and console me for straying from the Light.

Looking at my sinful self, Lord, I am sad!
Looking at your radiant Face, I am glad!

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Friday, January 7, 2005
Friday after the Epiphany of the Lord
St. Raymond of Penafort, priest

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 5:5-13
Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
Luke 5:12-16

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean"

There is nothing that we can do that cannot be forgiven by our Lord. However, we must have the courage and the humility to ask.

The Lord knows our troubles, but it is part of discipline for each of us to realize what they are and to ask for help. In asking for help we admit that we are not fully in control, that not everything goes according to the plans we make.

So with this man, a leper through no fault of his own, and yet not in control of the disease or of his destiny. The physical illness helped him to understand that.

For most of us, our illness is within--the deep, leprous wound of sin. But if we are humble and if we ask, Jesus can touch that as readily or more readily than touching a physical body.

Rejoice in the healing that is ours if only we ask. Rejoice in the love of the Father who sends Jesus to serve, to cure, to help us into heaven. Rejoice, the Lord has come to us and is with us each day.

Rejoice!

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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Catholic Calendar for Thursday, January 6, 2005
Thursday after the Epiphany of the Lord
Blessed Andre' Bessette, religious

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 4:19--5:4
Psalm 72:1-2,14-15,17
Luke 4:14-22

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. (Luke 4:21)

Today's reading from 1 John speaks of the only source of genuine love, God Himself. We, His children, were created to exist in His love, receiving it and giving it to others, that they might be drawn to Him; for being offered genuine and sincere love is the secret desire of every human heart. Last week we reflected that though the spiritually mature are able to better discern the presence of God in others, all of us have had a variety of experiences upon meeting certain people. Some may seem self-centered, virtually encased in ice, whereas others quietly exude goodness and love, not a mere gushing show of verbal or physical affection. We need not guess who of these genuinely possesses God's love.

This relates to today's Gospel which in its abbreviated form ends by mistakenly creating the impression that Jesus' townspeople reacted warmly toward Him and His reading from the prophet Isaiah. However, when He continues by asserting that the one prophesied in this passage is Himself who will bring salvation to the Israelites, they cannot receive His word. Reading past verse 22, we see that they then drove Jesus out of town to hurl Him headlong down the brow of a hill. What changed their approval into wrath was Jesus' accusing them of faithlessness shown by their inability to discern God's Presence in Him and further proving, by examples, that foreigners had in the past proven themselves more attuned to God than the Israelites, those who had been chosen to reveal Him to the world.

Gracious Redeemer,
pour out Your Spirit upon us
to fill us with Your love and truth,
that we may be enabled to discern what is
and what is not of You. Amen

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Wednesday after Epiphany
St. John Neumann, bishop

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 4:11-18
Psalm 72:1-2,10,12-13
Mark 6:45-52

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today is the memorial of St. John Neumann, the first American man and first bishop to be canonised. Born in Bohemia in 1813, he travelled to the US to be ordained as at that time there was an oversupply of priests in Bohemia. He joined the Redemptorists in 1840 and became Bishop of Philadelphia in 1852, occupying various posts in between.

Bishop John worked tirelessly to propagate the Faith in his adopted country. Knowing 12 languages he served the immigrant community, building schools, churches, even started building a cathedral.

With little sleep and human comforts, he served his diocese believing firmly in the importance of Catholic teaching and schooling for continuing the Faith; hence his impressive record of building 50 churches and opening almost 100 schools.

Bishop John's energy and zeal in an example to us of one totally devoted to the service of the Lord who lived his calling in a totally selfless and pragmatic way. What can I do today, to be more giving and less selfish?

- Cliodhna Doyle
(clia at cliadoyle dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Tuesday after Epiphany
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious, founder

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 4:7-10
Psalm 72:1-4,7-8
Mark 6:34-44

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's Gospel, according to Mark, is the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. In a recent review of a study on the Gospel of Mark, the presenter brought to our attention that in this story Jesus first said to His apostles: "Give the people something to eat" before the miracle occurred.

It's strange that Jesus would say something like that just to make the point that they (the apostles could hardly begin to feed such a multitude) and to point up that, "Oh, by the way, watch Me and see what I can do."

That behavior isn't consistent with Jesus. So what did He mean when he told the apostles to give the people something to eat? Of course we don't know for sure, but if we take Jesus' word at face value, it seems He thought the apostles could do "something" to help, something to alleviate the problem of the moment.

Often we're quick to think that we have nothing to offer and that someone else will have to come to the rescue. Perhaps Jesus was encouraging the Apostles to be a little creative, a little trusting and to do at least what was in their power.

And what was in their power but to search out what little was available and make it available to the Lord who can do all things. Isn't that the lesson for us, to put our gifts however seemingly small and insignificant at the disposal of the Lord who can multiply beyond our belief what little we thought we had?

"And they ate until they had their fill
and gathered up enough leftovers to fill twelve baskets."

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, January 3, 2005
Monday after Epiphany
The Most Holy Name of Jesus (new)

Scripture from Today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 3:22--4:6
Psalm 2:7-8,10-11
Matthew 4:12-17,23-25

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Let us enrich our souls with these words from a sermon given by
St. Peter Chrysologus, chronicled in today's Office of Readings:

“The Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look, they believe and do not question, as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die.

“So the Gentiles, who were the last, become the first: the faith of the Magi is the first fruits of the belief of the Gentiles.

Thus, we also read today from the incredible prophecy of Isaiah:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,
to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
and to release the prisoners,
To announce a year of favor from the Lord:
and a day of vindication by our God,
to comfort all who mourn... (Is 61:1,2)


As the earth brings forth its plants,
and a garden makes growth spring up,
So will the Lord God make justice and praise
spring up before all the nations. (Is 61:11)

- Joachim

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, January 2, 2005
The Epiphany of the Lord (Solemnity)

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The Wisdom of Seeking - Observing, Inquiring, Listening, Following, Adoring, Offering, Obeying

The obedience of wise and faithful “kings” reveals how baptized beloveds may behold their beLoved Lord. Re-made through baptism into His very image and likeness, one is commissioned as priest, prophet and king. These wise kings are holy examples that the best treasures one may bring Him are holy, prayerful, vigilant, seeking, remaining in, and obedience to Him.

These kingly behaviors may be viewed in their observing the sign of the anticipated One. These vigilant lookers are available to see, and thus demonstrate how vigilant prayer makes one a constant looker, available to observe and follow His beckoning.

The wise inquire from the authorities to find He whom they aspire to adore. One may come to know, love, and serve Him in the authority of the Word incarnate: in the sacraments, scripture, tradition and the interpretation of the magisterium of the Church, which guides us along our way of faith.

Wisdom seeks Truth and finding Him is overjoyed, compelled to adore the longed for, redeemer. He receives from hopeful souls who seek Him, the gold of one’s whole self - mind, heart, soul and body; sweet fragrance of one’s prayer rising to adore, listen, know, love and serve the beLoved Lord; the myrrh of vigilant obedience which anoints His sacrificed gift of Self with the consolation of redemption accepted by grateful, repentant souls.

Lord, may we learn the wisdom of seeKing as we offer our gifts of observing, inquiring, listening, following, adoring, offering, and obeying You. Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, January 1, 2005
The Octave Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary the Mother of God

Scripture from the Mass at Dawn:
Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21

A reflection on today's sacred scripture:

Today's readings provide rich material for both a conclusion to the old year and fresh thoughts for the new one. What better way to end the year than with the ancient blessing of Aaron over the Hebrew people as they depart for the promised land. He prays that God's face will always shine on them, always be present to them, and lead them to peace. This is a blessing so needed as we end a year of war and the terrors of suicide bombers fresh in our minds. This blessing is calming, reassuring, and hopeful. It demands several readings and careful pause on our part before it will yield its riches.

And the example of Mary in the Gospel is so important. Note that she reflected--pondered--keeping a journal in her heart of what the angels had told her. First, Gabriel, then the multitude of these heavenly creatures who sing at the birth of her Son. She did not let go her memories.

Neither must we let go the liturgical birth of Jesus this Christmas. We must carry Him with us into the new year, and, like Mary, nourish His life, bringing his Word to fruitfulness. The key is reflection. May that be the first and most important resolution of our new year--The Word can only live in our world through its coming to birth daily in the hearts of believers, who then pass on the fruits of their prayer each day through loving and fruitful encounter.

Newborn King, give us the weapons of love that we may fight hatred; Mary, Mother of my God, make all Christians instruments of peace for the whole world. Amen

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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