Hebrews 1:1-6
Psalm 97:1 and 2b, 6 and 7c, 9
Mark 1:14-20
As we enter into this New Year, we recall the resolutions that we made and the hopes we have for 2019. At times these promises can seem quite fleeting. The busyness of life as normal can overwhelm us as we bear the weight of work, study, and other duties. Yet, if we pause for a moment, we might remember how way back during Advent, we were all called to prepare the way of the Lord. We prepared ourselves to receive the refulgence of God’s glory and the very imprint of God’s being, as we hear Jesus described in the first reading from Hebrews. We opened our hearts to receive Jesus and with him the graces we needed to strengthen our faith, to renew our hope, to enkindle our love. Once we prepared the way for Jesus to enter into our hearts, we celebrated his birth at Christmas.
Presentation of Christ at the temple (left) and the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist, assisted by an angel (right). Detail of carved and painted wooden doors, c.1065, now displayed at the west end of the south aisle. St. Maria im Kapitol, Cologne, Germany. Photo by David Joyal
Luke’s version of Jesus’ baptism describes the Spirit descending on Jesus in the physical form of a dove and the pronouncement of God’s affirmation of Jesus as Beloved Child. It appears that Jesus is both one of the crowd and set apart in a unique way. Still, this blessing is not the final story or the end of Jesus’ personal and spiritual growth; he must go on retreat in the wilderness to face the temptations of his vocation. Luke’s Jesus is one of us: fully human, seeking a tangible sign of his vocation. No doubt Jesus had prepared long and hard spiritually for a day such as this.
1 Jn 5:14-21; Jn 3:22-30
“We have this confidence in him that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours.”
The opening verses in today's first reading deliver a powerful promise – and also can be a stumbling block for some. Personally, I find the message encouraging and enlightening.
On January 6th, 2019, the communities of the Generalate and the Procura, with great joy and thanksgiving celebrated the Solemnity of Epiphany - the Manifestation of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The ceremony included the blessing of the houses and blessing of a new replic of Pallotti's Bambino Gesù, followed by the solemn Vespers and agape.
1 Jn 5:5-13; Lk 5:12-16
The Real Presence of God
God, we are complicated creatures: reluctant, idealistic, complaining, generous. You know us well. Our secrets don’t surprise you. You seek out our hiding places. In crisis and celebrations, you are there. We try to protest: God, why do you allow such suffering? Then we remember: you are no stranger to abandonment or to joy. Even to doubt. You have walked through valleys and to mountain tops. You have faced lonely nights. No matter what engulfs us, you have been there first. Your presence brings comfort.
1 John 4:19-21.5:1-4; Luke 4:14-22
The gospel from Luke and the reading from John are about love, the love from God and our love for him. The gospel from Luke tells us that the love from God has no limits and is non-discriminatory. He sent his son to love and serve the poor, the captives, the blind and the oppressed, and Jesus tells those in the synagogue that it is he who will fulfill the prophesy of Isaiah. He has come to share his love with those in the synagogue, but also with all of us. His love brings us joy if we are open to it when we are destitute in spirit. His love brings us liberty from the captivating temptations of this world. His love clears our blindness and opens our eyes to the many gifts that he has bestowed on us. His love frees us from the oppression of greed, hatred, jealousy and revenge.
Final Profession in Russia
On December 8th, in the St. Anna parish in Yekaterinburg, Russia, there was a solemn Mass during which Sr. Irina Cziczerowa, proclaimed her perpetual profession. Holy Mass was presided by Bishop Joseph Werth SJ from Novosibirsk, concelebrating with Fr. Anton Gsel, and Pallottine priests - Fr. Piotr Jankowski and Fr. Sergiej Bildzis. Sr. Iwona Nadziejko, Provincial Superior and few sisters from Poland were also present for the Mass of final Profession. From Novosibirsk, the home town of Sr. Irina, her parents and several friends also attended the celebration. The joy of Sr. Irina was, that many parishioners participated in this special event, they prayed together and praised the Lord for this Pallottine vocation on Russian land.
1 John 4:11-18
Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
Mark 6:45-52
When the disciples, rowing against the wind on the Sea of Galilee, see Jesus walking on the water, they are terrified. He says, “Courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
If you are terrified, how do you respond to the command, “Don’t be afraid”? Can you turn off terror just by willing it? Of course not. It is the assurance that a trusted person is with that can begin to mitigate the fear.
1 John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44
The unbelievable, incomprehensible gift of the Incarnation is simply too big to celebrate as a single feast. So Christmas merges into Epiphany and both spread out into the days around them. Epiphany is actually the oldest of the Christmas celebrations – giving us, in stories and in theologizing, some hints of what this gift is all about – helping us get our heads around something really too big to grasp. In the readings around Epiphany we see a Jesus whose identity as God’s Son is revealed at His baptism, a Jesus who works wonders like multiplying bread, healing lepers, and walking on water. But perhaps most directly we hear today in 1 John who/what God actually is – love.
Matthew 4:12-17,23-25
“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light”
Do you know the joy and freedom of the gospel? John the Baptist’s enemies had sought to silence him, but the gospel cannot be silenced. As soon as John had finished his testimony Jesus began his in Galilee. Galilee was at the crossroads of the world and much traffic passed through this little region. It had been assigned to the tribes of Asher, Naptali and Zebulum when the Israelites first came into the land (see Joshua 9). For a long time it had been under Gentile occupation. Isaiah foretold (see Isaiah 9) that the good news of salvation would be proclaimed in this land and reach to the Gentiles. Jesus begins the proclamation of the gospel here to fulfill the word of God. The Old Testament prophets spoke of God’s promise to send a Redeemer who would establish God’s rule. That time is now fulfilled in Jesus.
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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)