Hebrews 6:10-20; Psalm 111:1-2, 4-5, 9-10; Mark 2:23-28
God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones. ... So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose, he intervened with an oath, so that ... we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. - Hebrews 6
“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” - Mark 2
Christmas was about three weeks ago and perhaps our brief encounter with "good feelings," as well as our reminders of our difficulties with being "family" are not that far away. It might be that this is a good time to , in the shadow of all that, to ask ourselves why we "practice our faith," to the degree we practice it. Following that question is the further one: Is there more?
November/December 2020
Rome
▪ On November 28, on the eve of first Sunday of Advent Pope Francis held a consistory, creating 13 new cardinals. Among them are Msgr. Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali (Rwanda) and Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington D.C., the first African-American Cardinal and Fra Raniero Cantalamessa, Capuchin, Preacher of the Papal Household.
Mark 2:18-22
In today's gospel reading, Mark 2:18-22, Christ talks about two integrated concepts: the old verses the new and joyfulness. He refers to himself as a bridegroom and calls us to celebrate with him when he says, "As long as they (the disciples) have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast." In The Church of Mercy, our beloved Pope Francis also intentionally calls us to be JOYFUL. "And here the first word that I wish to say to you: joy! Do not be men and women of sadness: a Christian can never be sad! Never give way to discouragement! Ours is not a joy born of having many possessions, but of having encountered a Person: Jesus, in our midst."
1 Sam 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; John 1:35-43
A Worthwhile Encounter
One of the greatest gifts we can give to another person is our ears. If people could listen to each other the world would be a safer and healthier place. But it’s dangerous to listen: you will be invited to share pains as well as joys; you will be disturbed as well as enriched; you will meet people, rather than just be acquainted.
Mark 2:13-17
Jesus has just healed (physically and spiritually) the paralytic man. Now, Jesus takes time out of his teaching to say to Levi, a tax collector who is working at the time, “follow me.” Mark then presents the scene of Jesus at Levi’s house at table with him and many other “tax collectors and sinners.” As usual, the sight of Jesus in this situation upsets the Pharisees, which leads to Jesus saying, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Mark 2:1-12
The reading from the Gospel of Saint Mark reminds me of what often happens in our Church:
- As Jesus’ followers gathered around him, we are regularly coming together to listen to his word in our religious services, to having communion with him, and to be strengthened by the fellowship of believers.
- As Jesus’ followers focused on Christ, we too are attentive to his word.
- As Jesus’ followers did not see the paralytic men who wanted to be close to Jesus, we often also overlook the human suffering around us, which is in need of Christ’s healing touch.
Mk 1:40-45
Harden not your hearts!
I found this image on Google. A heart encased in stone being set free. What was the remedy?
Imagine… a human heart encased in stone is a dead heart. Yes, hearts of stone are those who let hate encase their hearts of flesh. Hearts of stone are those who let evil triumph within themselves, exhibiting behaviors that choose death, not life; bigotry, not acceptance and equality; war, not peace. The heart of our world seems to suffer from so many hardened hearts where evil seemingly wins.
The liturgical feast of Epiphany in the Church of Tanzania was celebrated on Sunday, January 3rd. However, as a Pallottine family, we kept our tradition of celebrating on the 6th of January. Our two communities: the International Novitiate and the Leadership Community joined together for the celebration. We also invited the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers who work in Arusha and outside, and were able to join us. As a custom on this day, we also invited our workers and the neighboring religious communities. The Sisters of St. Elizabeth Congregation also joined us on this joyful day.
Mk 1:29-39
We read in Mark’s gospel today of the activities of Jesus; these early verses of Mark are a kind of summary of what Jesus committed himself to throughout his public life: healing of people’s ills. Healing, preaching God’s Kingdom, and simply being the attractive person he was, by drawing wide interest among “the crowds” and especially among his special friends, the disciples. “he cured many who were sick. . . and he drove out many demons not permitting them to speak. . .”
Mark 1:21-28
Jesus speaks here at the beginning of His career with striking authority, not through a repetition, a simple commentary, or a refinement of the text but as a prophet, one speaking directly the words of God Himself. He knows the text that He is opening for His community perfectly well, since He is permeated with the words of the Old Testament and filled with the Holy Spirit, just like His mother: it will become apparent later in His life that He is not only a special vessel of God's word, He is God's Word. At this early point, though, His mastery of the written word and the oral delivery of it sets Him up for a special role in salvation history.
Mark 1:14-20
"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Today we begin the Season of Ordinary Time. In this sense, Ordinary does not mean "common." The root of the word comes from "ordinal," so that it literally means "counted time." This is the season of the church year that is counted or marked week by week for a period of time after Advent and before Lent and from the end of the Easter Season until the end of the Church year. It is the time of the year, through the three Sunday cycles and the two daily cycles of the readings we get our biggest nourishment of scripture over a three year period.
Pope Francis Twitter Feed
The Holy See
Jubilee of the Canonisation
U.A.C.
Meditations
* Our Way of Life *
"Our diverse talents and abilities, our differences in culture, nationality and age are assets for the richness of the community. Although we may be engaged in a variety of ministries, we all share the common call to apostolic discipleship in a community of the Catholic Apostolate of St. Vincent Pallotti."(OWL, 91)
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"Christ, the Apostle of the Eternal Father, and his mission are central to our personal and community life, giving meaning and direction to our thinking, our spirituality, our prayer, action and suffering." (OWL, 19)
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"As a community of disciples we are gathered around Jesus, the Apostle of the Eternal Father. Like the first disciples, we want to be with Jesus, be sent out by him and return to him to evaluate our service in the light of his presence." (OWL, 88)
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"As Pallottines, it is our special charism to foster growth in faith and love among the laity, to awaken them to awareness of their apostolic call, and to cooperate with them in furthering the apostolic mission." (OWL, 21)
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"Our relationships with one another should be marked by a love that bears all, believes all and hopes for all, a love that is neither conceited nor jealous, which hurts no one, nor is embittered or resentful. It is never discouraged but remains patient and kind. It rejoices with others and shares their suffering. It is with this kind of love that we should help and support one another." (OWL, 90)