Tag: faith

“The sabbath was made for man.” | Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

From the responsorial psalm: “He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. His praise endures forever. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 2:23-28)

At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?”

Jesus responds to the Pharisees who question the disciples of Jesus as they pick the heads of grain on the sabbath. The tension between the interpretation of the law that Jesus offers them and their own strict interpretation centers on their claim that it is unlawful to work on the sabbath. Jesus answers their question with a question, drawing on an example from David and his companions. Jesus goes on with a divine interpretation of the sabbath, one that reveals it not in rigid, legalistic framing but as a gift from God meant for the people. He says to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

God, let me see the gift you give me today in choosing to serve you in complete freedom. When I hear Jesus say, “Have you never read. . . ,” I hear a kind of exasperation with the constant questioning and strictness of the Pharisees. You don’t impose yourself, and obedience to your will is not oppressive. You see me in my needs and give me the freedom to choose to do what is good and pleasing to you. Just as David shared the bread of offering with his companions to satiate their hunger, help me see the hunger others have for your mercy and give to others what you first gave to me. Saint Agnes, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them.” | Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek. The LORD said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.'”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 2:18-22)

Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.”

A day after we hear John’s account of the Wedding at Cana, today’s Gospel again presents Jesus as the bridegroom who delights in the guests at the wedding banquet. As long as Jesus is physically present, joy and fulfillment are given in abundance. But a time will come when he is “taken way” during his passion and death; then there will be fasting in the sorrow of his absence. The two parables Jesus shares—the new patch on the old garment and new wine poured into old wineskins—illustrate the new reality Jesus brings in his presence. The New Covenant cannot simply be imposed on or confined by the ways of the old covenant. The joy of the New Covenant is in Christ himself and the Church he establishes through perfect obedience to the Father.

God, help me participate fully in the joy and new life Jesus brings as your bridegroom. Strengthen my faith, especially in times of sorrow and guide me to live in the fullness of joy that comes from following Jesus Christ your Son. As Saint Paul says, “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” By his example and through your grace, guide me in knowing and doing your will.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“You have kept the good wine until now.” | Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 2:1-11)

And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from—although the servers who had drawn the water knew —, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.”

John relates the account of the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performs his first miracle in his public ministry by turning water into wine. The transformation of water into wine immediately reveals the divine nature and authority of Jesus as the Son of God. In the midst of the wedding feast, wine running out would quickly bring the celebration to an end and the guests to a state of desolation. Jesus not only changes water into inferior wine but instead makes it the choicest wine, symbolizing the surpassing joy God takes in his people, as we hear in Isaiah: “No more shall people call you ‘Forsaken,’ or your land ‘Desolate,’ but you shall be called ‘My Delight,’ and your land ‘Espoused.'” In comprehending what the first of Jesus’ miraculous signs means for us in the midst of the day, what Mary says to the servants, she also says to us: “Do whatever he tells you.”

God, you are in my midst today, continually pouring out your gifts through the sacraments and in the people you place before me. Help me see your superabundant grace in the different spiritual gifts given by the same Spirit. Through Jesus Christ your Son at the Wedding of Cana, you delighted in your people and rejoiced as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride. In perfectly accomplishing your will, Jesus is truly present every day at every Mass as bread and wine is changed into the Body and Blood of your Son. Help me be attentive to his will; in hearing him, help me follow Mary’s example of obedience to your Son and to the Son of Mary: “Do whatever he tells you.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.” | Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 2:13-17)

Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) to follow him. Matthew invites Jesus to dine at his house along with many tax collectors and sinners. When the Scribes and Pharisees see them dining together, they are critical of Jesus, questioning why he would eat with sinners. After Jesus hears their remarks, his response reveals the purpose of his mission and how he came to choose Matthew as one of the apostles: the sick need the Divine Physician, and Jesus calls sinners to him. Saint Paul recognizes the dependence we have on the grace and mercy Jesus offers when he says, “No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.”

Father in heaven, help me now and throughout the day receive your grace through Jesus Christ your Son. Let the words of Saint Paul remind me what it means to respond as Saint Matthew did on hearing the words “Follow me.” It means that in approaching the throne of grace, I have the sympathy and compassion of Jesus. Give me the grace to do as Paul urges in saying, “So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of the Divine Physician, show me the way to your Son. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Your sins are forgiven.” | Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot

From the responsorial psalm: “What we have heard and know, and what our fathers have declared to us, we will declare to the generation to come, The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength. Do not forget the works of the Lord!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 1:40-45)

Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone.

Mark tells us that so many people came to see Jesus when he returned to Capernaum, that there was not enough room for them as they crowded around the home where he was staying. As he taught them, friends of a paralyzed man brought him to Jesus but were unable to get to Jesus because of the crowd. They resorted to climbing the roof, breaking through it, and lowering the man down on a mat. “When Jesus saw their faith,” Mark tells us, “he said to him, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’” Jesus knew what the scribes were thinking and responded to them, making clear that as the Son of God, he is able to heal the sick and forgive sins. The miracle takes place before astounded witnesses who glorify God and say, “We have never seen anything like this.”

God, you know me better than I know myself. You know that I am sometimes subject to paralyzing fear and anxiety in discerning the next best step in daily life. Help me call to mind—to bring into the present moment—that the place to let my hope rest is in you: “That they too may rise and declare to their sons that they should put their hope in God. . . . Do not forget the works of the Lord!” The people who witness the paralyzed man rise and walk have never seen anything like it. To see is to know, to witness is to trust in what is seen. Give me the grace to see without the benefit of sight, trusting that Jesus sees my faith. At the end of the day, I want to say of the works he performs in my life: “I have never seen anything like this.” Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“And he was made clean.” | Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us. For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 1:40-45)

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

The man with leprosy who comes to Jesus and drops to his knees says, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus tells him, “I to will it. Be made clean.” He is healed immediately, and Jesus tells him not to tell anybody, but the man tells everybody he knows. Word of Jesus spreads, and it is impossible for him to go anywhere unrecognized. He remains outside of towns in deserted places, yet people come to him from everywhere for his healing. By the time Saint Paul writes the Letter to the Hebrews, the risen Jesus is present in the “today” of people’s lives and until he comes again. “We have become partners of Christ,” Paul says, “if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end.”

God, work with me today as I call to mind that one and all come to Jesus for healing and wholeness. They come as unrepeatable, unique people and as a people who seek to see the face of God and drop to their knees, presenting every need imaginable. Help me, Lord, come to you first for everything today, if only by saying your name and bringing you into the midst of everything I do. “And people kept coming to him from everywhere.” Why is that? Jesus, I trust in you.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“They brought to him all who were ill.” | Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 1:29-39)

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Mark describes a series of events in the early ministry of Jesus. After leaving the synagogue where he taught and exorcised a man with an unclean spirit, Jesus goes to the house of Simon and Andrew and heals Simon’s mother-in-law, who lays sick with a fever. That same evening, people come to Jesus, and he cures them of their illnesses and casts out demons of those who are possessed. The next morning before dawn he rises and goes off to pray, and Simon and the others find him and tell him that everyone is looking for him. “So he went into their synagogues,” Mark tells us, “preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.” In his compassion, Jesus acts as both healer and teacher in his mission to bring salvation and hope to humanity. He continues to do that today.

God, help me trust in your mercy and take comfort in Jesus’ saving mission as I consider the words of Saint Paul: “Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” Through the mystery of suffering, let me learn my complete dependence on you for all that is good. Let my weaknesses be a means of giving glory to you, Lord, who through your Son destroyed death. “Look to the LORD in his strength,” the psalmist prays, “seek to serve him constantly.” Grasp me by the hand and help me always be mindful of doing your will.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Quiet! Come out of him!” | Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “O LORD, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth! What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 1:21-28)

The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

Mark describes a key event in the early ministry of Jesus as he reveals his divine authority in the synagogue at Capernaum by teaching and by casting out an unclean spirit. Mark describes Jesus’ teaching and its effect four separate times in this short passage: “The people were astonished at his teaching”; “he entered the synagogue and taught:”; “he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes”; and, “A new teaching with authority.” The interrelationship between teaching and his exorcism of the unclean spirit demonstrates that the power of Jesus is present in his words and actions. As the Son of God, the Word made flesh in the person of Christ, Jesus makes known the truth of the Father in life-giving words and redemptive actions.

God, you are present every moment of every day in the teachings of Jesus and in the sacraments as the Word made flesh. The astonishment of the people in the synagogue is my astonishment, at hand today. It is even a more present reality in the Church, the Body of Christ, and in the sacraments Jesus instituted during his earthly ministry. How can I not be astonished as I give thanks for the sacraments that are at their roots, as the Catechism teaches, from the actions and teachings of Jesus. The unclean spirit cries out, “I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” In naming you, Lord, the Evil One has no power but is instead driven out to “prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.” Let the Gospel acclamation teach me today: “Receive the word of God not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Come after me.” | Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. Let all his angels worship him.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 1:14-20)

Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left 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.

Mark relates in just a few words the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry as he picks up the proclamation of the Gospel after John is arrested. Sounding very much like John, Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” But he says something else, which foreshadows his earthly ministry. “This is the time of fulfillment.” It is with this authority that Jesus calls the first disciples to follow him. And they do. Immediately, they leave their nets behind—the ones they are casting and the ones they are mending. Jesus calls them from the midst of their work; they hear his voice and obey. In what ways—in the midst of the work week—how attentively will we listen out for the voice of the Lord?

Father in heaven, you sent Jesus to proclaim your kingdom and to bring hope and salvation to all people. Like Simon and Andrew and James and John, let me be attentive to your call and follow you at work and at rest. This is your Son, the one you love and in whom you are well pleased. Give me the grace, Lord, to see the love between you and your Son and the invitation by the Son to imitate him in perfectly accomplishing your will. Lord, let me hear and follow as you ask me to come after you. Jesus, I trust in you!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“You are my beloved Son.” | The Baptism of the Lord

From the responsorial psalm: “The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters. The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The Lord will bless his people with peace.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22)

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The people are filled with excitement and expectation about John the Baptist and asking themselves if he might be the Messiah. John responds by making clear that his baptism is with water but that there is one mightier coming after him who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. After being baptized by John and as Jesus is praying, the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends upon him in a form like a dove. The voice from heaven is that of the Father who is well pleased in his beloved Son. In the second reading, we hear that God anointed his Son with the Holy Spirit and power. And as prophesied by Isaiah, the LORD is well pleased in his servant, Jesus, the incarnation of the New Covenant. “I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand.”

God, help me throughout the day be aware that you are present as I dwell on the baptism of your only begotten Son. In meditating on your love for Jesus, I think also of the love Zechariah had for his son John, who says of him in his canticle: “You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High.” In the powerful, affirming love of a father for a son is a glimpse of your filial love for us as your children. Christ accomplished in his baptism the forgiveness of our sins and the way to eternal life as your sons and daughters. In calling your Son for the victory of justice, you have freed us and opened the heavens so that we always give to you the glory due your name. “Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.