Posted on 01/13/2019 9:30:42 PM PST by Salvation
St. Ignatius of Antioch
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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28) "Blessed are you among women, |
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3719945/posts
Saint of the Day — Saint Gregory Nazianzen
Feast Day: January 14
Born: 1175
Died: January 14, 1235, Tarnovgrad, Bulgariaa
Major Shrine: Temple of Saint Sava (Belgrade)
Patron of: Serbia
Monday, January 14
Liturgical Color: Green
Today the Church remembers Bl. Peter
Donders. Ordained a priest, he traveled
to Batvia in 1856, to work in a leper
colony. Peter was a constant irritant to
authorities as he fought for better
conditions for the lepers, but always got
what he wanted.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-01-14
Click on the link above for pictures and links.
Ordinary Time: January 14th
Monday of the First Week of Ordinary Time
MASS READINGS
January 14, 2019 (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.
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Old Calendar: St. Hilary, bishop and doctor; St. Felix of Nola, priest and martyr
According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Felix who lived in the third century. He was a priest and suffered greatly in the Decian persecution. The tomb of St. Felix at Nola, a small town in the south of Italy, was a much frequented place of pilgrimage in Christian antiquity, and in the Middle Ages veneration of him spread throughout the west. Along with St. Hilary his feast is celebrated today on the Extraordinary Form Calendar. St. Hilary’s feast is celebrated on January 13 in the Ordinary Form Calendar.
St. Felix
In one of the early persecutions the priest Felix was first tortured on the rack, then thrown into a dungeon. While lying chained on broken glass, an angel appeared, loosed his bonds, and led him out to freedom. Later, when the persecution had subsided, he converted many to the Christian faith by his preaching and holy example. However, when he resumed his denunciation of pagan gods and false worship, he was again singled out for arrest and torture; this time he escaped by hiding in a secret recess between two adjacent walls. No sooner had he disappeared into the nook than a thick veil of cobwebs formed over the entrance so that no one suspected he was there. Three months later he died in peace (260), and is therefore a martyr only in the wider sense of the word.
St. Paulinus of Nola (see June 22), who cherished a special devotion toward St. Felix, composed fourteen hymns (carmina natalicia) in his honor. In his day (fifth century) the saint’s tomb was visited by pilgrims from far and wide and was noted for its miraculous cures.
— The Church’s Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
Patron: Against eye disease; against eye trouble; against false witness; against lies; against perjury; domestic animals; eyes.
Symbols: Cobweb; deacon in prison; spiderweb; young priest carrying an old man (Maximus) on his shoulders; young priest chained in prison with a pitcher and potsherds near him; young priest with a bunch of grapes (symbolizes his care of the aged Maximus); young priest with a spider; young priest with an angel removing his chains.
Things to Do:
Let us be convinced that if we strive and struggle in God’s behalf, we may also rely on His special protection. God shields you from your enemies, even, if need be, by a spider’s web. Spend some time recalling occasions when you were protected in an unusual way from harm.
http://wau.org/meditations/current/
Meditation: Hebrews 1:1-6
1st Week in Ordinary Time
He spoke to us through the Son. (Hebrews 1:2)
As the Church begins a series of readings from the Letter to the Hebrews, let’s take a broad look at this beautiful epistle.
Truth be told, Hebrews has always been somewhat of a mystery to commentators. Many early Church writers saw in it the influence of a Pharisee like St. Paul because of its numerous quotes from the Old Testament. But its style is totally different from Paul’s other works. Other scholars claimed that the writer was Paul’s fellow apostle and evangelist Barnabas, “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). And even though debate continued—others have proposed Luke, Apollos, and even the deaconess Priscilla—the letter was accepted as authentically inspired by the Holy Spirit. An early pope, Clement of Rome, even quoted from Hebrews around AD 96.
Modern study reveals Hebrews to be a well-crafted letter, dating most likely from before AD 67. Although the audience is never clearly identified, no doubt tradition is correct in pointing toward a community made up chiefly of Jewish Christians rooted in the Hebrew religious culture and language. Beyond that, we know that it is an exciting letter with a powerful, timeless message: fix your eyes on Jesus, the Son of God, and the fulfillment of God’s age-old promise to save his people.
The Letter to the Hebrews is infused with an experiential knowledge of Jesus and his power to deliver us from bondage. He is our “great high priest” (Hebrews 4:14) who constantly intercedes for us (7:25) and whose blood was shed to cleanse our consciences (9:14). He is the author and perfecter of our faith (12:2) who sustains not only our lives but the entire universe as well (1:3). He is able to deal with every fear, every sin, every obstacle in our life of faith. He can give us every reason to “hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy” (10:23).
This is the Jesus we will be meeting throughout the next four weeks: a dynamic, powerful Messiah who is completely committed to rescuing us from sin and bringing us to heaven. May the Spirit open our eyes to see him more clearly.
“Jesus, thank you for embracing the cross so that I could enter into a new, eternal covenant with you!”
Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9
Mark 1:14-20
Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
founder of the Missionary Sisters of Charity
Letter to her sisters (25th March 1993)
Hear him speak your own name: the call of Jesus
Our Lady was the first person to hear Jesus's cry “I thirst” (Jn 19:28) together with St. John and, I am sure, Mary Magdalene. Because she was there on Calvary, She knows how real, how deep is his longing for you and for the poor. Do we know? Do we feel as she did?...Before it was Our Lady pleading with Mother, now it is Mother in her own name pleading with you: “Listen to Jesus's thirst”. Let it be for each one what the Holy Father said in his letter, a Word of Life. How are we to approach the thirst of Jesus? There is only one secret: the closer you come to Jesus, the better you will know his thirst.
“Repent and believe”, Jesus tells us (Mk 1:15). What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe? The thirst of Jesus even now, in your heart and in the poor. He knows your weakness, all he wants is your love, all he wants is the chance to love you...
Hear Him. Hear your own name. Make both my joy and your own joy complete (1Jn 1:4).
Daily Marriage Tip for January 14, 2019:
We’re back in ordinary time now – but remember that daily marriage and family life is anything but “ordinary”. It is a sacramental sign of God’s presence in the world and a way to show Christ’s love in the little moments of daily life.
https://www.regnumchristi.org/en/daily-meditation/
January 14, 2019 – Come Follow Me
14 Jan 2019
Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Father Jason Brooks, LC
Mark 1:14-20
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So, they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I adore you. You alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the Glory of God the Father. Lord, I love you and wish to know you more intimately, since you are goodness and mercy itself.
Petition: Lord, grant that I may follow you faithfully all the days of my life.
Repent and Believe in the Good News: There is no time to waste. We have one life to live and only one chance to live it. Jesus is trying to tell us that we have to make the most of it. We have heard about Jesus before. Perhaps we have been going to church and listening to his word for decades. However, have we allowed Christ’s message of love and mercy to penetrate our heart? Have we turned away from all attachment to sin in our life and really followed the Gospel?
Follow Me and I Will Make You Fishers of Men: We can’t forget that the essence of Christianity is following Jesus, the Son of God. As his mother Mary told the waiters at the wedding at Cana, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Jesus is the real protagonist in our lives. He takes the initiative to call us to himself and to follow him more closely. He invites us to follow him in proclaiming the Good News to the whole world. It is not enough to know Christ. We have to share our faith with others and let the Gospel direct our decision-making process.
Leaving Their Father in the Boat, They Followed Him: We naturally want to be comfortable and do things familiar to us. In fact, most ads we see appeal to our desire to rest and be secure. However, Jesus breaks the mold and commands us to leave our comfort zone. Unless we first change ourselves, we cannot expect to change the world. Until we first dedicate ourselves to knowing Christ better and more intimately, we will not be ardent apostles of his kingdom. Only after we have had a personal encounter with Christ can we experience the bliss of loving him more and cooperating in his saving mission. As Pope Saint John Paul II so often encouraged us, echoing the words of Christ himself, “Be not afraid!” Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone to serve Christ in love.
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I want to follow you more closely. Help me to know you as you are so that I can love you as you deserve to be loved. Eternal Father, grant me the fullness of your grace, which consumes all weakness, so that my heart will be lifted up with an indescribable enthusiasm to embrace my cross and follow faithfully in the footsteps of your Son.
Resolution: Today I will perform an act of charity that I have neglected or been afraid to do for some time.
Homily of the Day
January 14, 2019
Jesus went about his mission of proclaiming the Good News. He encouraged his listeners to change their ways and believe in the Good News. Because he needed help to fulfill his mission, he recruited the first four people to assist him: Simon, Andrew, James and John.
William Barclay, in The Gospel of Mark, suggests that possibly the four men had already been listening to Jesus preach in the area so they probably had been mulling over what Jesus had been saying. They responded when Jesus personally invited them. Notice that the four men left behind what was very important to them before they encountered Jesus — family and occupation.. There seems to be a lot of “leaving behind” as we follow Jesus.
The letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is the very image of God. As we see Jesus, we are seeing God. As we get to know Jesus, we get to know God. As we follow Jesus, we are following God. As we observe how Jesus loves the people he met, we also get to understand how God loves us.
Let us reflect: Is Jesus inviting me to help fulfill his mission to bring about justice, mercy, love and hope? He may not be asking me to leave behind my family and my occupation but what is he asking me to share for the sake of his mission — my knowledge? my skills? my presence? my compassion? my time? With which larger community would he want me to share my resources? He waits for my response.
https://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?lang=en&d=1/14/2019
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<< Monday, January 14, 2019 >>
Hebrews 1:1-6
View Readings Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9 Mark 1:14-20
Similar Reflections
NET-WORK
Jesus “observed Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea.” —Mark 1:16
Jesus called the fishermen, Simon and Andrew, after observing them casting their nets into the sea. When Jesus called them, “they immediately abandoned their nets and became His followers” (Mk 1:18). He called the next two apostles, James and John, while they were putting their nets in order (Mk 1:19). Nets are mentioned three times in Mark’s account of Jesus calling the first four apostles. What is the significance of the nets?
From the fish’s point of view, nets are traps which take away the fish’s freedom and lead to their death. When we follow Jesus, we must abandon our nets. We must repent of sinful patterns in our lives which have trapped us and brought about our spiritual death. Through repentance, we can be free to follow Jesus.
From the fisherman’s point of view, nets are essential to his work. Therefore, these nets need to be in order, and the fisherman must cast them into the sea skillfully and frequently. The nets are our evangelistic outreach. To follow Jesus means to be fishers of men and women (Mk 1:17). To follow Jesus without daily and frequently evangelizing is a contradiction.
All Christians must evangelize. Leave the nets of sin and cast the nets of faith.
Prayer: Jesus, may I not let a day go by without telling someone about Your love.
Promise: “In times past, God spoke in fragmentary and varied ways to our fathers through the prophets; in this, the final age, He has spoken to us through His Son.” —Heb 1:1-2
Praise: Peter started a Bible study during his lunch hour at work.
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