Archive for February 8, 2014

February 9th 2014 – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted: February 8, 2014 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys
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Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn

Light Breaking Forth

Isaiah 58:7-10
Psalm 112:4-9
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Matthew 5:13-16

 

Jesus came among us as light to scatter the darkness of a fallen world.

As his disciples, we too are called to be “the light of the world,” he tells us in the Gospel this Sunday (see John 1:4–4, 9; 8:12; 9:5).

All three images that Jesus uses to describe the Church are associated with the identity and vocation of Israel.

God forever aligned his Kingdom with the Kingdom of David and his sons by a “covenant of salt,” salt being a sign of permanence and purity (see 2 Chron. 13:5, 8; Lev. 2:13; Ezek. 43:24).

Jerusalem was to be a city set on a hill, high above all others, drawing all nations towards the glorious light streaming from her Temple (see Isa. 2:2; 60:1–3).

And Israel was given the mission of being a light to the nations, that God’s salvation would reach to the ends of the earth (see Isa. 42:6; 49:6).

The liturgy shows us this week that the Church, and every Christian, is called to fulfill Israel’s mission.

By our faith and good works we are to make the light of God’s life break forth in the darkness, as we sing in this week’s Psalm.

This week’s readings remind us that our faith can never be a private affair, something we can hide as if under a basket.

We are to pour ourselves out for the afflicted, as Isaiah tells us in the First Reading. Our light must shine as a ray of God’s mercy for all who are poor, hungry, naked, and enslaved.

There must be a transparent quality to our lives. Our friends and family, our neighbors and fellow citizens, should see reflected in us the light of Christ and through us be attracted to the saving truths of the Gospel.

So let us pray that we, like St. Paul in the Epistle, might proclaim with our whole lives, “Christ and him crucified.”

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: February 8, 2014 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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When we desire to know, understand and carry out Your Will for us. We can be sure that You will provide all we need and more. It is a wonder why? That from time to time, we fall back into anxiety and fear when new unexpected challenges arise. All we ever need to do, is come into Your presence through prayer and quiet; Your peace will be upon us as You lead the way.

When we are exhausted and in need of nourishment, let us hear You call out to us “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened; I will give you rest.” Coming into Your presence through prayer and quiet
; Your peace will be upon us as You nourish us with Your living Word. Great is Your Love that no matter how persistent we are in our prayers, for our wants and needs. You patiently and lovingly answer them all. Even at times when the answer is No! Thank You Jesus for all that You are and all that You do. Glory and praise be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

FIRST READING
1 Kings 3:4–13

GOSPEL
Mark 6:30–34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and I he began to teach them many things