Archive for January 23, 2016

To Proclaim The Word In Another Church

Posted: January 23, 2016 by CatholicJules in Memory Book
0

My cousin Sandra who got married today had asked me months ago in October at my God daughter’s wedding dinner; if I would be able to help with the scripture reading for her wedding. Apparently I was auditioning for the part when I read the second reading at my God daughter’s wedding and didn’t even realise it. (I’m kidding of course)

I readily accepted as it would be a unique opportunity to proclaim the word of God in another Church. Only I wasn’t give any details, that is what scripture passage I would be reading, where I was to stand nor at which point I would be doing so. Decided I would play it by ear even though I prefer to have been prepared.

Only after reaching Calvary City Church which is Charismatic evangelical, I found my name in the booklet. The reading was to take place after the praise and worship session. The pastor then came up to me and requested I read 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 which just happened to be the same exact reading I proclaimed months earlier. I was thrilled and elated because it is not only one of my favourite scripture passages but because I knew it well. I proclaimed it with all my heart and soul!

The pastor then took over with preaching and the ceremony. At the lunch reception that followed Sandra whispered in my ear that the reading was done perfectly and she thanked me. I praised the Lord immediately! So glad and thankful to have been able to serve Him and to have contributed a little to Sandra’s wedding bliss.

1 Cor 13:1-8

Though I command languages both human and angelic—if I speak without love, I am no more than a gong booming or a cymbal clashing. And though I have the power of prophecy, to penetrate all mysteries and knowledge, and though I have all the faith necessary to move mountains—if I am without love, I am nothing. Though I should give away to the poor all that I possess, and even give up my body to be burned—if I am without love, it will do me no good whatever. Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth. It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. Love never comes to an end. But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if tongues, they will fall silent; and if knowledge, it will be done away with.

image

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted: January 23, 2016 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
0

New Day Dawns: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:
Nehemiah 8:2-6,10
Psalms 19:8-10,15
1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

The meaning of today’s Liturgy is subtle and many-layered.

We need background to understand what’s happening in today’s First Reading.

Babylon having been defeated, King Cyrus of Persia decreed that the exiled Jews could return home to Jerusalem. They rebuilt their ruined temple (see Ezra 6:15-17) and under Nehemiah finished rebuilding the city walls (see Nehemiah 6:15).

The stage was set for the renewal of the covenant and the re-establishment of the Law of Moses as the people’s rule of life. That’s what’s going on in today’s First Reading, as Ezra reads and interprets (see Nehemiah 8:8) the Law and the people respond with a great “Amen!”

Israel, as we sing in today’s Psalm, is rededicating itself to God and His Law. The scene seems like the Isaiah prophecy that Jesus reads from in today’s Gospel.

Read all of Isaiah 61. The “glad tidings” Isaiah brings include these promises: the liberation of prisoners (61:1); the rebuilding of Jerusalem, or Zion (61:3-4; see also Isaiah 60:10); the restoration of Israel as a kingdom of priests (61:6; Exodus 19:6) and the forging of an everlasting covenant (61:8; Isaiah 55:3). It sounds a lot like the First Reading.

Jesus, in turn, declares that Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in Him. The Gospel scene, too, recalls the First Reading. Like Ezra, Jesus stands before the people, is handed a scroll, unrolls it, then reads and interprets it (compare Luke 4:16-17,21 and Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10).

We witness in today’s Liturgy the creation of a new people of God. Ezra started reading at dawn of the first day of the Jewish new year (see Leviticus 23:24). Jesus too proclaims a “sabbath,” a great year of Jubilee, a deliverance from slavery to sin, a release from the debts we owe to God (see Leviticus 25:10).

The people greeted Ezra “as one man.” And, as today’s Epistle teaches, in the Spirit the new people of God – the Church – is made “one body” with Him.

 

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: January 23, 2016 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
0

image

Love, sacrifice and recognition of the good and sacrifice of others.  How rare it is to be found. And yet this is the path of a true disciple of Christ.

Least of all to understand this are family members. Unless they too are on a similar path. And while all of us are given free will; it is should not be surprising to find that others would want to impose their will on us.

Jesus it is You alone I follow, lead me on Lord; lead me on to You! Amen

First reading
2 Samuel 1:1-4,11-12,17,19,23-27

David returned from his rout of the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. On the third day a man came from the camp where Saul had been, his garments torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and did homage. ‘Where do you come from?’ David asked him. ‘I have escaped from the Israelite camp’ he said. David said to him, ‘What happened? Tell me.’ He replied, ‘The people have fled from the battlefield and many of them have fallen. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too.’

  Then David took hold of his garments and tore them, and all the men with him did the same. They mourned and wept and fasted until the evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the people of The Lord and for the House of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

  Then David made this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan.

Alas, the glory of Israel has been slain on your heights!
How did the heroes fall?

Saul and Jonathan, loved and lovely, neither in life, nor in death, were divided.

Swifter than eagles were they,
stronger were they than lions.

O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul who clothed you in scarlet and fine linen, who set brooches of gold on your garments.

How did the heroes fall in the thick of the battle?

O Jonathan, in your death I am stricken, I am desolate for you, Jonathan my brother.

Very dear to me you were,
your love to me more wonderful than the love of a woman.

How did the heroes fall
and the battle armour fail?

Gospel
Mark 3:20-21

Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.