Reading 1 1 Sm 24:3-21

Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel
and went in search of David and his men
in the direction of the wild goat crags.
When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave,
which he entered to relieve himself.
David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.

David's servants said to him,
"This is the day of which the LORD said to you,
'I will deliver your enemy into your grasp;
do with him as you see fit.'"
So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul's mantle.
Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off
an end of Saul's mantle.
He said to his men,
"The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master,
the LORD's anointed, as to lay a hand on him,
for he is the LORD's anointed."
With these words David restrained his men
and would not permit them to attack Saul.
Saul then left the cave and went on his way.
David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul,
"My lord the king!"
When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage and asked Saul:
"Why do you listen to those who say,
'David is trying to harm you'?
You see for yourself today that the LORD just now delivered you
into my grasp in the cave.
I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead.
I decided, 'I will not raise a hand against my lord,
for he is the LORD's anointed and a father to me.'
Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold.
Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you,
see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion.
I have done you no wrong,
though you are hunting me down to take my life.
The LORD will judge between me and you,
and the LORD will exact justice from you in my case.
I shall not touch you.
The old proverb says, 'From the wicked comes forth wickedness.'
So I will take no action against you.
Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel?
Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea!
The LORD will be the judge; he will decide between me and you.
May he see this, and take my part,
and grant me justice beyond your reach!"
When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered,
"Is that your voice, my son David?"
And Saul wept aloud.
Saul then said to David: "You are in the right rather than I;
you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm.
Great is the generosity you showed me today,
when the LORD delivered me into your grasp
and you did not kill me.
For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed?
May the LORD reward you generously for what you have done this day.
And now, I know that you shall surely be king
and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession."

Responsorial Psalm PS 57:2, 3-4, 6 and 11

R. (2a) Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
till harm pass by.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
I call to God the Most High,
to God, my benefactor.
May he send from heaven and save me;
may he make those a reproach who trample upon me;
may God send his mercy and his faithfulness.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.

Alleluia 2 Cor 5:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons:
He appointed the Twelve:
Simon, whom he named Peter;
James, son of Zebedee,
and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,
that is, sons of thunder;
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;
Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Daily Gospel Commentary

Friday of the Second week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
The letter to Diognetus (c.200)
XI

"To send them to preach"

I am not saying anything strange, I am not seeking what is paradoxical. Rather, docile to the teaching of the apostles, I in turn want to teach the nations. I want to pass on the tradition exactly to those who also want to become disciples of the Truth. Who... would not hasten to learn entirely all that the Word of God clearly taught his disciples? For in manifesting itself, that Word, which was not understood by those who did not believe in him, showed the truth to his disciples; speaking openly, he told his disciples everything. He recognized them to be his faithful ones, and they received from him knowledge of the mysteries of the Father.

That is why the Word was sent into the world. And so that he might be shown to the whole world, ... he was proclaimed by the apostles, so that the nations might believe in him. He who was from the beginning (1 Jn 1:1), manifested himself in newness, and his disciples recognized in him what was old. In the heart of his saints, he is always born anew young ... Through him, the Church is filled with richness. Grace opens up, is multiplied in the saints. It gives the understanding of faith, uncovers the mysteries of the Father; it gives understanding of the times... It is offered to those who seek it and who respect the rule of faith and faithfully keep the tradition of the Fathers.

Here the fear of the Law is sung; here the grace of the prophets is acknowledged, the faith of the Gospels is strengthened, the tradition of the apostles is kept; the grace of the Church leaps for joy. Do not sadden this grace. Then you will know the secrets, which the Word of God reveals through whom he wishes, when it pleases him. Draw near, listen, and you will know all that God entrusts to those who truly love him.

A Day of Prayer and Penance for Life

A Day of Prayer and Penance for Life
in the dioceses of the United States
January 22nd

Rogier van der Weyden, Visitation, around 1435/40, Maximilian Speck ...

Visitation
Flemish. Rogier van der Weyden (oil on oak panel, ca 1445)
Museum der Bildenden Künste, Leipzig

A special Mass “For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life” was confirmed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments for use in the dioceses of the United States. This Mass may be used on occasions to celebrate the dignity of human life. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) §373 was altered to allow this Mass to be said on January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday), the day of penance for abortion:

GIRM 373: In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.
The liturgical celebrations for this day may be the Mass “For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life” (no. 48/1 of the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions), celebrated with white vestments, or the Mass “For the Preservation of Peace and Justice” (no. 30 of the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions), celebrated with violet vestments.” (American adaptation)

Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life

Readings: Readings of the day or any readings from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses, the "Mass for Peace and Justice"

Collect A
God our Creator,
We give thanks to you,
Who alone have the power to impart the breath of life
as you form each of us in our mother’s womb;
Grant, we pray,
that we, whom you have made stewards of creation,
may remain faithful to this sacred trust
and constant in safeguarding the dignity of every human life.
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. +Amen

Collect B
O God, who adorn creation with splendor and beauty
and fashion human lives in your image and likeness,
Awaken in every heart
reverence for the work of your hands,
and renew among your people
a readiness to nurture and sustain
your precious gift of human life.
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. +Amen

Novena for the Protection of the Unborn also in Spanish

Medical Morality Page

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 3
13.	And going up into a mountain, he called unto him whom he would himself: and they came to him.	Et ascendens in montem vocavit ad se quos voluit ipse : et venerunt ad eum.	και αναβαινει εις το ορος και προσκαλειται ους ηθελεν αυτος και απηλθον προς αυτον
14.	And he made that twelve should be with him, and that he might send them to preach.	Et fecit ut essent duodecim cum illo : et ut mitteret eos prædicare.	και εποιησεν δωδεκα ινα ωσιν μετ αυτου και ινα αποστελλη αυτους κηρυσσειν
15.	And he gave them power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.	Et dedit illis potestatem curandi infirmitates et ejiciendi dæmonia.	και εχειν εξουσιαν θεραπευειν τας νοσους και εκβαλλειν τα δαιμονια
16.	And to Simon he gave the name Peter:	Et imposuit Simoni nomen Petrus :	και επεθηκεν τω σιμωνι ονομα πετρον
17.	And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he named them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:	et Jacobum Zebedæi, et Joannem fratrem Jacobi, et imposuit eis nomina Boanerges, quod est, Filii tonitrui :	και ιακωβον τον του ζεβεδαιου και ιωαννην τον αδελφον του ιακωβου και επεθηκεν αυτοις ονοματα βοανεργες ο εστιν υιοι βροντης
18.	And Andrew and Philip, and Bartholomew and Matthew, and Thomas and James of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Cananean:	et Andræam, et Philippum, et Bartholomæum, et Matthæum, et Thomam, et Jacobum Alphæi, et Thaddæum, et Simonem Cananæum,	και ανδρεαν και φιλιππον και βαρθολομαιον και ματθαιον και θωμαν και ιακωβον τον του αλφαιου και θαδδαιον και σιμωνα τον κανανιτην
19.	And Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.	et Judas Iscariotem, qui et tradidit illum.	και ιουδαν ισκαριωτην ος και παρεδωκεν αυτον και ερχονται εις οικον

13. And he goes up into a mountain, and calls to him whom he would: and they came to him.
14. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
15. And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
16. And Simon he surnamed Peter;
17. And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
18. And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
19. And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him.

BEDE; After having forbidden the evil Spirits to preach Him, The chose holy men, to cast out the unclean spirits, and to preach the Gospel; wherefore it is said, And he went up in to a mountain, &c.

THEOPHYL. Luke, however, says that He went up to pray, for after the showing forth of miracles He prays, teaching us that we should give thanks, when we obtain anything good, and refer it to divine grace.

PSEUD-CHRYS. The also instructs the Prelates of the Church to pass the night in prayer before they ordain, that their office be not impeded. When therefore, according to Luke, it was day, He called whom He would; for there were many who followed Him.

BEDE; For it was not a matter of their choice and zeal, but of Divine condescension and grace, that they should be called to the Apostleship. The amount also in which the Lord chose His Apostles, shows the lofty righteousness in which they were to be instructed, and which they were about to preach to men.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Or spiritually, Christ is the mount, from which living waters flow, and milk is procured for the health of infants; whence the spiritual feast of fat things is made known, and whatever is believed to be most highly good is established by time grace of that Mountain. Those therefore who are highly exalted in merits and in words are called up into a mountain, that the place may correspond to the loftiness of their merits. It goes on: And they came to him, &c. For the Lord loved the beauty of Jacob, that they might sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, who also is bands of threes and fours watch around the tabernacle of the Lord, and carry the holy words of the Lord, bearing them forward on their actions, as men do burdens on their shoulders.

BEDE; For as a sacrament of this the children of Israel once used to encamp about time Tabernacle, so that on each of the four sides of the square three tribes were stationed. Now three times four are twelve, and in three bands of four the Apostles were sent to preach, that through the four quarters of time whole world they might baptize the nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

It goes on: And he gave them power, &c. That is, in order that time greatness of their deeds might bear witness to the greatness of their heavenly promises, and that they, who preached unheard-of things, might do unheard-of actions.

THEOPHYL. Further, He gives the names of the Apostles, that the true Apostles might be known, so that men might avoid the false. And therefore it continues: And Simon he surnamed Cephas.

AUG. But let no one suppose that Simon now received his name and was called Peter, for thus he would make Mark contrary to John, who relates that it had been long before said to him, You shall be called Cephas. But Mark gives this account by way of recapitulation; for as he wished to give the names of the twelve Apostles, and was obliged to call him Peter, his object was to intimate briefly, that he was not called this originally, but that the Lord gave him that name.

BEDE; And the reason that the Lord willed that he fled should at first he called otherwise, was that from the change in itself of the name, a mystery might be conveyed to us. Peter then in Latin or in Greek means the same thing as Cephas in Hebrew, and in each language the name is drawn from a stone. Nor can it be doubted that is the rock of which Paul spoke, And this rock was Christ. For as Christ was the true light, and allowed also that the Apostles should be called the light of the world, so also to Simon, who believed on the rock Christ, He gave the name of Rock.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Thus from obedience, which Simon signifies, the ascent is made to knowledge, which is meant by Peter. It goes on: And James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother.

BEDE; We must connect this with what went before, He goes up into a mountain, and calls.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Namely, James who has supplanted all the desires of the flesh, and John, who received by grace what others held by labor. There follows: And he surnamed them, Boanerges.

PSEUD-CHRYS. The calls the sons of Zebedee by this name, because they were to spread over the world the mighty and illustrious decrees of the Godhead.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Or by this the lofty merit of the three mentioned above is shown, who merited to hear in the mountain the thunders of the Father, when he proclaimed in thunder through a cloud concerning the Son, This is my beloved Son; that they also through the cloud of the flesh and the fire of the word, might as it were scatter the thunderbolts in rain on the earth, since the Lord turned the thunderbolts into rain, so that mercy extinguishes what judgment sets on fire.

It goes on: And Andrew, who manfully does violence to perdition, so that he had ever ready within him his own death, to give as an answer, and his soul was ever in his hands.

BEDE; For Andrew is a Greek name, which means 'manly', from that is, man, for he manfully adhered to the Lord. There follows, And Philip.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Or, 'the mouth of a lamp,' that is, one who can throw light by his mouth upon what he has conceived in his heart, to whom the Lord gave the opening of a mouth, which diffused light. We know that this mode of speaking belongs to holy Scripture; for Hebrew names are put down in order to intimate a mystery. There follows: And Bartholomew, which means, the son of him who suspends the waters; of him, that is, who said, I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. But the name of son of God is obtained by peace and loving one's enemy; for, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are the sons of God. And, Love your enemies, that you may be the sons of God. There follows: And Matthew, that is, 'given,' to whom it is given by the Lord, not only to obtain remission of sins, but to be enrolled in the number of the Apostles. And Thomas, which means, 'abyss;' for men who have knowledge by the power of God, put forward many deep things. It goes on: And James the son of Alphaeus, that is, of 'the learned' or 'the thousandth,' beside whom a thousand will fall. This other James is he, whose wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness. There follows, And Thaddeus, that is, 'corculum,' which means 'he who guards the heart,' one who keeps his heart in all watchfulness.

BEDE; But Thaddeus is the same person, as Luke calls in the Gospel and in the Acts, Jude of James, for he was the brother of James, the brother of the Lord, as he himself has written in his Epistle.

There follows, And Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. He has added this by way of distinction from Simon Peter, and Jude the brother of James. Simon is called the Canaanite from Cana, a village in Galilee, and Judas, Scariotes, from the village from which he had his origin, or he is so called from the tribe of Issachar.

THEOPHYL. Whom he reckons amongst the Apostles, that we may learn that God does not repel any man for wickedness, which is future, but counts him worthy on account of his present virtue.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But Simon is interpreted, 'laying aside sorrow;' for blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. And he is called Canaanite, that is, Zealot, because the zeal of the Lord ate him up. But Judas Iscariot is one who does not do away his sins by repentance. For Judas means 'boaster,' or vain-glorious. And Iscariot, 'the memory of death.' But many are the proud and vain-glorious confessors in the Church, as Simon Magus, and Arius, and other heretics, whose deathlike memory is celebrated in the Church, that it may be avoided.

Catena Aurea Mark 3

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: January 22nd

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

MASS READINGS

January 22, 2016 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

God our Creator, we give thanks to you, who alone have the power to impart the breath of life as you form each of us in our mother's womb; grant, we pray, that we, whom you have made stewards of creation, may remain faithful to this sacred trust and constant in safeguarding the dignity of every human life. 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.

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A Day of Penance and Prayer

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The Catholic Duty to Be Pro-life | Austin B. Vaughan

Old Calendar: Saints Vincent and Anastasius, martyrs

January 22 is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the day established by the Church of penance for abortion, has been formally named as the â€œDay of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.â€ On this day (or January 23rd when January 22nd falls on a Sunday) your parish, school or religious formation program may celebrate the Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life. This Mass, found in our newly-translated Missal, may now be used on occasions to celebrate the dignity of human life.

The relevant change reads: â€œThe liturgical celebrations for this day may be the Mass "For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life? (no. 48/1 of the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions), celebrated with white vestments, or the Mass "For the Preservation of Peace and Justice? (no. 30 of the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions), celebrated with violet vestments."

In addition to this special Mass on this day, perhaps your parish, school or religious formation program could encourage traditional forms of penance, host pro-life and chastity speakers, lead informative projects that will directly build up the culture of life, show a pro-life film, raise funds for local crisis pregnancy centers or offer additional prayer services.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Love of Life
Love is not merely a feeling, but is rather the desire for the best possible good for those whom we love. Through our natural intelligence and through Divine Revelation we become aware of the value of this most basic of all gifts which is life. Mere reason leads us to comprehend that it is better to be alive than never have had been in existence. The knowledge of the value of life that comes through revelation leads us to understand better this gift and to appreciate it: as a result, we worship and love more and more the Giver of this gift. This love is what moves us to protect the life of the unborn or any who might be unjustly treated. We are also led to protect women that might feel tempted or forced to commit abortion, as we know the devastating consequences that abortion will have in their lives. Last but not least we have to love, even if most of them seem to be utterly unlovable, the many perpetrators of abortion: medical personnel, and pro-abortion activists and politicians. We have to do everything that we can to convince them of their errors so that they repent and change their ways, both for their own benefit and for the benefit of society.

All human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. Using a traditional scholastic term, we can state that He is the exemplary cause of every human being, in other words, He is the model on which all human beings are created. He looked upon himself and wished that other beings would share in His own happiness. So if we reflect upon ourselves, we can begin to understand our participation in the greatness of our Creator. This participation on His greatness leads us to comprehend that He has brought us out of nothing with a purpose, because knowing His intelligence and His loving nature it is clear that all His actions are always guided by a magnificent purpose. The first intention for which He has created us is that we should enjoy for an eternity His loving company in Heaven. All human persons are called to this eternal and loving company, no one is excluded, save those who, through their own actions, exclude themselves.

This manner of creation brings us to understand the unique essential dignity of every human being. A dignity that is not lost for any deprivation of the many external perfections that we might expect to find in a human person. A person might be born with a disability, or may suffer disability through injury or disease, but these deprivations do not affect his basic dignity. A Christian also has the hope that one day when the doors of Paradise will be opened for those children, all their human imperfections will be healed and they will enjoy forever the beatific vision that we all long for.

We are also created to be collaborators in the salvation of the World. The Lord normally does not intervene directly in the world; He does it through our free collaboration in his plans of salvation. He gives to us the saving truths through Holy Scripture, our natural reason and the mediation of the Church and we have to manifest them in our daily lives. If we love those truths we should be impelled to share them with all whom the Lord places in front of us. So when we speak with love and conviction of those truths we cannot be accused of carrying out an exaggerated rhetoric when we defend human life from its biological beginning until natural death. Nobody in his right mind can call it "vitriolic rhetoric" when we denounce that millions upon millions of unborn babies have been killed in the womb in the U.S. and in the rest of the world. It is literally a question of life and death, for the victim, for the mother of the baby and for the perpetrator of abortion, assisted suicide or euthanasia. The victim will have his earthly life terminated; the mother will suffer greatly for her actions, and the perpetrator and the mother will live under the shadow of the unhappiness of having rejected the loving truths of their Creator and certainly they will place their eternal salvation in jeopardy. Our main solidarity has to be always with the victim of the crime, because if the conscience of the nation is not moved by this growing injustice, we know that a growing number will be victimized in the future. Our solidarity is also with the mothers of those babies because often they have been misled or forced into committing this terrible action.

Last but not least we wish and pray that all abortionists will understand the terrible consequences of their actions and be converted.

Excerpted from Spirit & Life, Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro-CarÃ¡mbula, Interim President, Human Life International

St. Anastasius
The Martyrology relates: At Bethsaloen in Assyria, St. Anastasius, a Persian monk, who after suffering much at Caesarea in Palestine from imprisonment, stripes, and fetters, had to bear many afflictions from Chosroes, king of Persia, who caused him to be beheaded. He had sent before him to martyrdom seventy of his companions, who were drowned in a river. His head was brought to Rome, at AquÃ¦ SalviÃ¦, together with his revered image, by the sight of which demons are expelled, and diseases cured, as is attested by the Acts of the second Council of Nicea. The saint was venerated highly in Rome.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Day Five: You have no bucket and the well is deep (John 4:11)

God, spring of the Living water, help us to understand that the more we join together the pieces of our ropes, the more deeply our buckets reach into your divine waters! Awaken us to the truth that the gifts of the other, are an expression of your unfathomable mystery. And make us sit at the well together to drink from your water which gathers us in unity and peace. We ask this in the name of your son Jesus Christ, who asked the Samaritan woman to give him water for his thirst. Amen.

Vatican Resources

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 3:13-19

2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus . . . summoned those whom he wanted. (Mark 3:13)

There was a couple who decided to adopt children, but when they were given the opportunity to be matched with a child, they were overwhelmed. The agency presented them with an album filled with babies’ pictures and asked them to choose one from all of these children. When the woman’s eyes fell on one particular child, in her heart she knew that this was the child God had chosen for their family.

Years later, upon hearing this story from her adoptive parents, the daughter was awed. Her birthmother had protected her in the womb; her adoptive family had chosen her from among so many others; and here she is today, alive, healthy, and loved!

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear another story about being chosen—Jesus’ choice of the twelve apostles. Of all of Jesus’ followers, these were the men he chose and sent out to preach and drive out demons (Mark 3:14). Who would have thought that such simple, common fishermen would join a tax collector—Matthew—and a political activist—Simon the Zealot—and band together to have such an impact on the world?

God has a call and a plan for each of us, even for each child in the womb, waiting to be born. Today, believers in the United States observe the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. It’s a day when we can affirm that God wants each of these vulnerable children, just as that young girl’s mother wanted her. It’s a day when we can band together—no matter where we are—and pray for an end to abortion around the world.

God has given each of us the precious gift of life. He has called each of us by name and set us apart for his purposes. Today, let’s thank him for all he has done for us. At the same time, let’s dedicate ourselves to protecting all the vulnerable children yet to be born. Especially during this Year of Mercy, may they be welcomed into life, and may they all live to fulfill God’s call for them!

“Father, thank you for calling me your child! Protect each unborn child today. May they all be brought forth to live a full and blessed life!”

1 Samuel 24:3-21
Psalm 57:2-4, 6, 11

Regnum Christi

Christ Chooses Me

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

January 22, 2016 - Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

By Father Robert DeCesare, LC

Mark 3:13-19

He went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: (he appointed the Twelve:) Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that through baptism you have invited me to share in your friendship. I trust in your Church, Lord. You have given us this institution as the guide to help us in our salvation. I love you, Lord, because you have loved me first. I love you, Lord, for calling me to be your friend and apostle. I may be a mere sinner, but with you, Lord, I believe that I can do great things.

Petition: Lord, help me to collaborate in your work of salvation.

Christ Summoned Those Whom He Wanted: Christ has chosen to need our assistance. He wants our help with the great work of the New Evangelization. As great and powerful as Christ is, he has willed that man collaborate with him in his plan of salvation. He wants to involve others in helping people to come to know, love and serve him. He makes use of man’s free and responsible collaboration in order to carry out his plans. Therefore, even though man is a creature of very limited possibilities, he can achieve truly unimaginable things when he lives and works for God.

He Calls Me by Name: Christ does not haphazardly choose me to collaborate with him in the New Evangelization. He knows me. He knows me better than I know myself, and out of love he invites me to be with him. When he calls me by name, he reaches into the depths of my heart and soul. He delves into the depths of who I am, and he identifies with me. When he calls me by name, he calls me out of love; “he calls me to share in his own divine life” (Lumen Gentium, 2). He calls me by name because he knows how great the gift is that he wishes to share with me.

He Gives Me a Mission: “He sent them to preach and to drive out demons” (Mark 3:14-15). Christ doesn’t call me just to enjoy the present life. He has created me for a purpose. He has given me a specific vocation that only I can fulfill. I am irreplaceable; there will never be another me. The opportunity that I have to share in this friendship with Our Lord is an invitation to do something with him and for him. Christ’s love for me invites and beckons me to collaborate with him. Who can resist an invitation to collaborate with someone so great, and with an offer so challenging and yet so fulfilling?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you have wished for me to enter your friendship. You have called me by name to be your friend. You have invited me to help you in the New Evangelization. I want to help you and do my part. Give me the strength to be close to you and to collaborate with you in this great undertaking.

Resolution: I will bring up the faith in a conversation with someone.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 32, Issue 1

<< Friday, January 22, 2016 >>

St. Vincent

1 Samuel 24:3-21
View Readings

Psalm 57:2-4, 6, 11

Mark 3:13-19
Similar Reflections

RESPECTING GOD'S CHOICES

David said: "I decided, 'I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.' " â€”1 Samuel 24:11

David spared Saul's life when he had a perfect chance to kill his tormentor. Now David was a seasoned warrior who had killed many opponents (e.g. see 1 Sm 23:5; 30:17ff). The only reason David held back his hand was because Saul carried the anointing of leadership from God. Saul had been chosen by God (1 Sm 10:1).

Jesus "summoned the men He Himself had decided on" (Mk 3:13). It wasn't that the twelve apostles were especially qualified for their position; their only qualification was that they were chosen by the Lord (Jn 15:16). Saul looked like a poor choice by God. Likewise, it often appeared that the Lord had chosen His apostles poorly. They made mistake after mistake, and at times completely failed to understand Jesus (Mk 6:52).

It's not unusual to hear people remark today that church leaders are incompetent. These leaders may seem foolish to some, but "God's folly is wiser than men, and His weakness more powerful than men" (1 Cor 1:25). God speaks through those He anointed and chose (Jn 15:16). For example, if God wishes to speak about marriage through celibate men, that doesn't make His message any less truthful. It is arrogance to assert that God is not powerful enough to lead and teach accurately through those He chooses, even those who appear unqualified. May all God's people imitate David, who so respected God's choice of Saul that he preferred to be persecuted rather than do any harm to the Lord's anointed (1 Sm 24:14).

Prayer: Lord, may I walk by faith in You, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).

Promise: "In the shadow of Your wings I take refuge, till harm pass by."â€”Ps 57:2

Praise: St. Vincent did not tickle ears in his teaching (2 Tm 4:3), but proclaimed the truth of God's Word and let it change hearts.

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January 22, 2016

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Reading 1 1 Sm 24:3-21

Responsorial Psalm PS 57:2, 3-4, 6 and 11

Alleluia 2 Cor 5:19

Gospel Mk 3:13-19

Friday of the Second week in Ordinary Time

St. Vincent of Saragossa

Ordinary Time: January 22nd

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

MASS READINGS

COLLECT PRAYER

Recipes (1)

Activities (1)

Prayers (3)

Library (1)

Meditation: Mark 3:13-19

By Father Robert DeCesare, LC

Mark 3:13-19

One Bread, One Body

RESPECTING GOD'S CHOICES

"We have the duty to protect the life of an unborn child." ~Ronald Reagan