Thursday of the First week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
Living Flame of Love, stanza 2 (©Institute of Carmelite Studies)

"Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him"

O divine life, you never kill unless to give life, never wound unless to heal. When you chastise, your touch is gentle, but it is enough to destroy the world. When you give delight you rest very firmly, and thus the delight of your sweetness is immeasurable. You have wounded me in order to cure me, O divine hand, and you have put to death in me what made me lifeless, what deprived me of God's life in which I now see myself live. You granted this with the liberality of your generous grace, which you used in contacting me with the touch of “the splendor of your glory and the figure of your substance” (Heb 1:3), which is your only begotten Son, through whom, he being your substance, “you touch mightily from one end to the other” (Wis 8:1). And your only begotten Son, O merciful hand of the Father, is the delicate touch by which you touched me with the force of your cautery and wounded me.

O you, then, delicate touch, the Word, the Son of God, through the delicacy of your divine being, you subtly penetrate the substance of my soul and, lightly touching it all, absorb it entirely in yourself in divine modes of delights and sweetnesses unheard of in the land of Canaan and never before seen in Teman (Bar 3:22)! O, then, very delicate, exceedingly delicate touch of the Word, so much more delicate for me insofar as, after overthrowing mountains and smashing the rocks to pieces on Mount Horeb with the shadow of the might and power that went before you, you gave the prophet Elijah the sweetest and strongest experience of yourself in the gentle breeze (1Kgs 19:11-12)! O gentle breeze, since you are a delicate and mild breeze, tell us: How do you, the Word, the Son of God, touch mildly and gently, since you are so awesome and mighty? O happy is the soul that you... gently and lightly touch... “You hide them in the secret of your face,” which is the Word, “from human disturbance” (Ps 31[30]:21)

“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.”

– Pope Pius XI

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

Virus-free. www.avg.com

Blessed William Carter

Franciscan Media

Image: St. Andrew’s and Blessed George Haydock’s Catholic Church, Cottam, Lancashire, UK | photo by Skodoway (Blessed William Carter was one of their companions.)

Blessed William Carter

Saint of the Day for January 11

(c. 1548 – January 11, 1584)

Blessed William Carter’s Story

Born in London, William Carter entered the printing business at an early age. For many years he served as apprentice to well-known Catholic printers, one of whom served a prison sentence for persisting in the Catholic faith. William himself served time in prison following his arrest for “printing lewd [i.e., Catholic] pamphlets” as well as possessing books upholding Catholicism.

But even more, he offended public officials by publishing works that aimed to keep Catholics firm in their faith. Officials who searched his house found various vestments and suspect books, and even managed to extract information from William’s distraught wife. Over the next 18 months, William remained in prison, suffering torture and learning of his wife’s death.

He was eventually charged with printing and publishing the Treatise of Schisme, which allegedly incited violence by Catholics and which was said to have been written by a traitor and addressed to traitors. While William calmly placed his trust in God, the jury met for only 15 minutes before reaching a verdict of guilty. William, who made his final confession to a priest who was being tried alongside him, was hanged, drawn, and quartered the following day: January 11, 1584.

He was beatified in 1987.

Reflection

It didn’t pay to be Catholic in Elizabeth I’s realm. In an age when religious diversity did not yet seem possible, it was high treason, and practicing the faith was dangerous. William gave his life for his efforts to encourage his brothers and sisters to keep up the struggle. These days, our brothers and sisters also need encouragement—not because their lives are at risk, but because many other factors besiege their faith. They look to us.

Information: St. Theodosius the Cenobiarch

Feast Day: January 11

Born: 423 at Garissus, Cappadocia (modern Turkey)

Died: 529 at Cathismus

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Theodosius

Feast Day: January 11
Born:423 :: Died:529

Theodosius was born at Garissus, Cappadocia in Asia Minor which today is called Turkey. He came from a very pious family and became a lector early in his youth. As a young man, he set out on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

He was inspired by Abraham's journey of faith recorded in the Bible's book of Genesis. After visiting the holy places, he decided to leave home and lead a life of prayer so he could properly follow God.

He met Saint Simeon Stylites in Antioch who recognized him as a holy man and leader and invited Theodosius to join him in prayer, blessing and advice. He later traveled to Jerusalem where he worked with a holy man named Longinus.

Soon people realized how holy Theodosius himself was. Many men asked to join him. They, too, wanted to be monks.

Theodosius built a large monastery at Cathismus, near Bethlehem. Soon it was filled with monks from Greece, Armenia, Arabia, Persia and the Slavic countries. In time, it grew into a "little city." One building was for sick people, one for the elderly and one for the poor and homeless.

Theodosius was always generous. He fed an endless stream of poor people. Sometimes it seemed like there would not be enough food for the monks. But Theodosius had great trust in God. He never turned travelers away, even when food was scarce.

The monastery was a very peaceful place. The monks lived in silence and prayer. It was going so well that the patriarch of Jerusalem appointed Theodosius head of all the monks in the east.

Theodosius died in 529 at the age of 106. The patriarch of Jerusalem and many people attended his funeral. Theodosius was buried where he had first lived as a monk. It was called the Cave of the Magi. The cave received its name from people who believed that the Wise Men had stayed there when they came in search of Jesus.

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Thursday, January 11

Liturgical Color: Green

Today the Church honors
Blessed William Carter. William
worked for a printer during a
time of Catholic persecution in
England. He was arrested for
printing and distributing Catholic
pamphlets. William was
martyred for his actions in 1584.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: January 11th

Thursday of the First Week of Ordinary Time

MASS READINGS

January 11, 2018 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

show

Recipes (3)

show

Activities (1)

Practical Suggestions for Christian Living (Baptism)

show

Prayers (2)

Library (0)

Old Calendar: St. Hyginus, pope and martyr; St. Theodosius, abbot (Hist)

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Hyginus. During the four years of his pontificate (138-142), he had to oppose the heresy of Valentinus who at this period came to propagate his errors in the heart of the Christian community in Rome.

It is also historically the feast of St. Theodosius, abbot, born in Cappadocia in the village of Magarisso, who after having endured great sufferings for the Catholic faith, took his rest in peace at the monastery which he had erected on a lonely hill in the diocese of Jerusalem.

St. Hyginus
The crown of the empire belonged to Antonius Pius. Hyginus, as Telesphorus' successor, not only had to endure his relentless persecutions but also had to cope with the heretics who made their way to Rome.

Hyginus was a Greek from Athens who, like his contemporary Justin Martyr, was a philosopher. He is said to have done some organizing of the clergy, and it is likely that he addressed the Roman clergy on the subjects of sin in general and of obedience to the Church.

The emergence of Gnosticism is probably the most significant development of Hyginus' pontificate. Cerdo came from Syria and Valentinus from Egypt, and together they taught this system of mystical belief, which was a combination of Greek philosophy and Oriental superstitions regarding Christ. For years Cerdo vacillated between teaching error and repenting, returning to the Church, then falling from grace. Valentinus, however, staunchly defended his cause. Hyginus perceived this as heresy, for it deviated greatly from the true teachings of the Apostles.

Hyginus was said to have suffered gloriously and he was buried on Vatican Hill.

St. Theodosius
St. Theodosius was so inspired by Abraham's example of leaving his loved ones and homeland for God that he left his homeland of Cappadocia to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. There St. Theodosius took as his guide the holy man Longinus, who placed him in charge of a church near Bethlehem. Theodosius did not stay there long, however, but he went to live in a cave on a nearby mountain. He was known for his holiness, and many desired to dedicate their lives to God as monks under Theodosius. He built a monastery at Cathismus, as well as three hospices: for the sick, the elderly and the mentally ill. When Emperor Anastasius was persecuting Christians who did not accept the Eutychian heresy, which states that Christ has only one nature, St. Theodosius preached orthodoxy throughout Palestine, even stating from the pulpit in Jerusalem: "If anyone receives not the four general councils as the four gospels, let him be anathema." The Saint renewed the courage of those in whom the Emperor's edicts had instilled fear. Anastasius banished Theodosius, though he was later recalled by Anastasius' successor. Theodosius died at the age of 105; many miracles occurred at his funeral.

— Excerpted from Saints Calendar and Daily Planner, Tan Books

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 1:40-45

1st Week in Ordinary Time

He stretched out his hand. (Mark 1:41)

In Jesus’ day, skin diseases like leprosy had a profound effect on people’s relationships. Considered unclean and even contagious, lepers were cast out of their homes and villages. They were forced to keep their distance from anyone healthy. They could never spend time with their friends or embrace their children. They were alone, isolated.

Most of us have probably not experienced this kind of physical isolation, but we might have felt other kinds of isolation. Maybe we feel that no one understands us or our struggles. Or maybe we feel unworthy of God’s love—or of the love of other people—because of past sins. But whatever isolation we may feel, Jesus wants to come to us and touch us, just as he did this fellow.

Imagine how he must have felt: separated from all he held dear, struggling under the common assumption that his sins had caused his disease. It’s impressive that he even drew the courage to approach Jesus. “If you wish, you can make me clean,” he says (Mark 1:40). He has no doubt that Jesus can heal him; he just isn’t sure that Jesus wants to do it. You can imagine the thoughts behind his request: “I know you can make me clean, but you probably don’t want to. You probably look at me with the same revulsion that my neighbors have toward me. I don’t blame you if you decide to pass me by.”

Of course, Jesus will have none of this. He stretches out his hand, touches the man, and heals him—both physically and spiritually. Through that one gesture of physical contact, he removes the man’s disease and welcomes him back into his community. This man’s heart must have thrilled at Jesus’ embrace. At last, he felt like he belonged again!

Jesus says the same thing to us. “Of course I want to touch you and embrace you. Of course you belong. Of course you’re good enough. Yes, I know you have sins and challenges to deal with, but so does everyone else. You’re no different. Come, let me touch you and hold you close.”

Jesus is always ready to touch us, to soothe our fears, to heal our guilty conscience. He is always ready to welcome us into his embrace. What a generous Savior we have!

“Jesus, I need your touch today.”

1 Samuel 4:1-11
Psalm 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for January 11, 2018:

(Reader Tip) Praying together as a couple and a family has carried us through some tough years. We always try to attend Mass together.

Regnum Christi

January 11, 2018 – To Be Free to Love

11 Jan 2018

Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Father Paul Campbell, LC

Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for this time together. I need you in my life and the life of my family. It is easy to let activities overwhelm me so that I lose track of you. You fade into the distance, and sometimes sin grows closer. But I know you are always there for me with your unconditional love. Thank you. I love you and long to put you first in my life.

Petition: Lord, wash me from my sins and help me to be detached from them.

1. If You Choose: A leper approaches and falls before Jesus. “If you choose, you can make me clean.” This leper couldn’t free himself from his disease any more than we can free ourselves from our sin. Leprosy was a fatal disease. It separated a man from his family and drove him outside his village to lonely places. Leprosy is a symbol for sin. Sin separates us from God and from others. We need to approach Jesus with that same humility and trust we see in the leper. This story is for us, to show us Christ’s heart. It reveals his love and his desire to free us from sin. Am I convinced of the ugliness of all sin and how it defaces our souls?

2. I Do Choose: Jesus chose to heal the leper. Not only did he heal him, he touched him. He reached out to the loneliness of that man, and he touched his life to cure him of the disease. This reveals Christ’s heart so beautifully. Our sin never drives him away from us. He is always ready and willing to come to our aid if only we would cry out for his help. Am I capable of opening all of the inner wounds of my sins to Our Lord so that he can heal me, wash me clean and make me whole again?

3. Jesus Wants Us Free: Sin keeps us from being who we were meant to be. “Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). Jesus was free from sin and so was free to love and serve others. He wasn’t compelled by greed or anger. He wasn’t moved by pride or impeded by laziness. He was free to love, and he loved to the extent of dying on a cross. Sin closes us in on ourselves. We get absorbed in ourselves and others take the back seat – or no seat at all. How often do we say “no” to others and turn a blind eye to their needs? Isn’t it sin that blinds us and selfishness that impedes us from loving others as Christ loves us? Christ can free us from sin so that we are empowered to love as he loves.

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I want to be free, but I need your help. Without you, I can do nothing. Help me to trust you and to turn to you. Don’t let me go off on my own as if I could keep fighting without you. Free me to love you. Free me to love others.

Resolution: I will pray Psalm 51 for myself and my loved ones.

Homily of the Day

January 11, 2018

“However, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter any town. But even though he stayed in the rural areas, people came to him from everywhere.” The leper cleansed of his leprosy, so joyful at his cure, despite Jesus’ instructions to the contrary, wished to share the news of his miraculous cure with all. As a result Jesus felt restricted in entering towns with so many wishing to see him for cures.

So often in Mark’s Gospel we see our Lord telling beneficiaries of his cures and miracles not to announce his cures to the public: we really do not know why. Was the cleansed leper helping or hindering Jesus’ work by announcing his cure to all?

We can compare it with the story of a Lighthouse keeper who, desirous to help others, gave a poor couple oil for their needs from the lighthouse supply. Many others came and were given oil from the lighthouse supply.

One night a terrible storm came and yet the lighthouse could not be lit because its oil supply had been given out in charity to many in need for their homes. As a result, a number of ships lost their bearings and were dashed on the rocks, without the guidance of the lighthouse.

Are we sure that our seeming good actions are indeed good for us and are God’s will for us?

Prayer and communion with God can open our minds and hearts to know God’s will for us: he will lead and guide us to know what would be best for us.

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 34, Issue 1

<< Thursday, January 11, 2018 >>

1 Samuel 4:1-11
View Readings

Psalm 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25

Mark 1:40-45
Similar Reflections

WHAT DOES YOUR VOICE SOUND LIKE?

"The man went off and began to proclaim the whole matter freely, making the story public. As a result of this, it was no longer possible for Jesus to enter a town openly." —Mark 1:45

The leper was an outcast because of his contagious disease. By the law of Moses, the leper was required to live outside the town, keep his distance from others, and cry out "Unclean, unclean" if anyone approached (Lv 13:45). It is likely that people of the nearby towns recognized the leper by the sound of his voice.

Jesus, in His great mercy, granted the leper's request. He healed the leper by His touch and His word of command. Jesus again invoked the law of Moses, which required the leper to show himself to the priests and be made clean (see Lv 14:2ff). We don't know from the text of the Scripture whether the leper actually showed himself to the priests. We do know, however, that the leper showed himself to the townspeople. It's possible, and even understandable, that the leper wanted to "clear his image" with the townspeople so that they would allow him to join their company, so they would accept the sound of his voice rather than recoil at it. Possibly the leper wanted to complete his own healing socially. Yet Jesus never heals halfway. By ordering the leper to show himself to the priest, the social healing of the leper would have occurred more gradually, but would ultimately have been more complete and widespread, as well as "legal." But the leper took a shortcut, and Jesus paid the price. Now the leper could enter towns openly, but Jesus could not (Mk 1:45).

What does your voice sound like to those near you? Does it sound like someone wanting to make himself look good? Or does it sound like that of someone who will do whatever Jesus says? (Jn 2:5)

Prayer: Jesus, may I obey You exactly for my sake and Yours.

Promise: "I do will it. Be cured." —Mk 1:41

Praise: Carolyn overcame her tendency to false guilt and discouragement by turning her thoughts to things above (Col 3:2).

Are YOUR taxes paying to abort babies?