Ordinary Time: Following Jesus Day by Day
He who would follow me should deny himself and take up his cross each day.
January 10, 2011
Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Brothers and sisters:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways
to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he spoke to us through the Son,
whom he made heir of all things
and through whom he created the universe,
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways
to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he spoke to us through the Son,
whom he made heir of all things
and through whom he created the universe,
who is the refulgence of his glory,
the very imprint of his being,
and who sustains all things by his mighty word.
When he had accomplished purification from sins,
he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
as far superior to the angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
the very imprint of his being,
and who sustains all things by his mighty word.
When he had accomplished purification from sins,
he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
as far superior to the angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say:
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you?
Or again:
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a Son to me?
And again, when he leads the first born into the world, he says:
Let all the angels of God worship him.
Make it your goal this year to know “the Son,
whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe” He is Jesus. He will speak with you too. “He took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
(as) far superior to the angels” and yet he says “I will not call you servants but my friends”. The way to know him more is by a daily prayer-ful reading of the Word of God. Never miss your daily encounter with him.
whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe” He is Jesus. He will speak with you too. “He took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
(as) far superior to the angels” and yet he says “I will not call you servants but my friends”. The way to know him more is by a daily prayer-ful reading of the Word of God. Never miss your daily encounter with him.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (see 7c) Let all his angels worship him.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
Gospel
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.”
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 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.
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 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.
John is imprisoned. Now Jesus comes to Galilee and proclaims that the Kingdom of God is at hand. This Kingdom is not a place. It is a relationship. God is our Father and invites us to be his children. Since he created us freely, he wants us to freely choose in love to be his sons and daughters, to accept his love and obey him for our growth and happiness. If we do then he can bless us with all the blessings of heaven. To enter the Kingdom of Heaven is to join the family of God. The invitation comes as it did to the first disciples through Jesus. To know Jesus is to experience the Kingdom. He invites you this year to know him better than last, to be closer to him in daily prayer and to experience his presence in your life. What is your response?
January 11, 2011
Tuesday of the First Week In Ordinary Time
Tuesday of the First Week In Ordinary Time
Reading 1
It was not to angels that God subjected the world to come,
of which we are speaking.
Instead, someone has testified somewhere:
of which we are speaking.
Instead, someone has testified somewhere:
What is man that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man that you care for him?
You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor,
subjecting all things under his feet.
or the son of man that you care for him?
You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor,
subjecting all things under his feet.
In “subjecting” all things to him,
he left nothing not “subject to him.”
Yet at present we do not see “all things subject to him,”
but we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor”
because he suffered death,
he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,”
that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
he left nothing not “subject to him.”
Yet at present we do not see “all things subject to him,”
but we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor”
because he suffered death,
he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,”
that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
For it was fitting that he,
for whom and through whom all things exist,
in bringing many children to glory,
should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
He who consecrates
and those who are being consecrated all have one origin.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers” saying:
for whom and through whom all things exist,
in bringing many children to glory,
should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
He who consecrates
and those who are being consecrated all have one origin.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers” saying:
I will proclaim your name to my brethren,
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.
Jesus is Son of God by nature. As Son he proceeds from the Father, begotten not made. You are son/daughter by his grace and good pleasure. Like the Son you proceed from the Father; from his heart born of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is now our “brother”. We all have the same origin and look to the Father.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (see 7) You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
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?
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?
Gospel
Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers,
and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
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.
All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
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.
All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
We all need the healing Word of Jesus. Satan rarely takes possession of a person. He has more subtle ways of destroying people – through evil habits and addictions, through pride, hatred and revenge, lust. One who sins is a slave of sin. To be liberated we need to meet Jesus who speaks with authority. Do you believe that you can meet Jesus and experience his presence, through faith? You can if you will make the effort. He can liberate you from any bondage. We need to enter daily into his presence for him to root out deeply engrained sin. We must meet him in the ‘cave of our heart’ each day in silence and solitude and realising his presence allow the rays of his face to burn away our sins. Are you ready to spend time daily with Jesus as the Good Physician in ‘the prayer of presence’?
January 12, 2011
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Since the children share in blood and Flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
What is life without the hope of salvation after death? Death is the great enemy. All we know and have in our hands is the present. But the present leads inevitably to death. There is no escape and whatever happens after death is not in our hands. We are helpless victims. As the years go by, we come closer to its devouring jaws. But there is hope and sure hope too. God in Jesus shared in every way the weakness and vulnerability which we all suffer. He died, but conquered death in his Resurrection. Now he offers a glorious human life with God to all who accept him and listen to his Word. He alone is our High Priest. He longs to save each one of us.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
Gospel
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
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.
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.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
When Jesus enters a person’s life in a personal way he always ‘lifts them up’ and they live a new life of joy and of service. We are never so poor that we can’t offer anything to those around us. We can always offer love but do we? Often we are only too concerned with our own problems and misery and are closed to others. Our love is the greatest gift we can give to others. When it comes from God within us miracles happen. Jesus gave himself to those in need. But from where did he get his strength? It was from his time spent daily in prayer with his Father. From Him he brought the love which created the world and now redeems it. Like Jesus do you give time every day to be in God? Your world needs it because it needs his love through you.
Reading 1Heb 3:7-14
Reading 1
Jesus founded a community of fellowship. He is still present in his community. “Where two or three are gathered in my name I will be present”. The earnest prayer of the community will always be heard. Jesus himself intercedes (Matt 18:19, 20). We need communities in which believers pray earnestly. It was the community who brought the paralytic to Jesus. We need a lively faith in the presence of Jesus among us so that he can heal the paralytics of today. Many are paralysed by habits of sin such as anger, hatred, lust and addictions to drink and drugs. Jesus said, “Everyone who commits sin is a slave.”(John 8:34). Jesus alone liberates us. The paralytic wanted to be healed. His ‘community’ brought him to Jesus. We see here the pattern for healing. Do you encourage group prayer of intercession? Do you expect Jesus to do mighty works and liberate people?
Reading 1
January 13, 2011
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1Heb 3:7-14
So then, as the Holy Spirit says, 2 "If you hear God's voice today, 8 do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were when they rebelled against God, as they were that day in the desert when they put him to the test. 9 There they put me to the test and tried me, says God, although they had seen what I did for forty years. 10 And so I was angry with those people and said, "They are always disloyal and refuse to obey my commands.' 11 I was angry and made a solemn promise: "They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest!' " 12 My friends, be careful that none of you have a heart so evil and unbelieving that you will turn away from the living God. 13 Instead, in order that none of you be deceived by sin and become stubborn, you must help one another every day, as long as the word "Today" in the scripture applies to us. 14 For we are all partners with Christ if we hold firmly to the end the confidence we had at the beginning.
God has many ways of communicating his wishes to us. Let us ask ourselves whether we are anxious to listen to God speaking to us. If we are we will give time to silent prayer. It is very easy to get so involved in the affairs of life that we hardly think of God and lose any sense of a personal relationship with him. Rather than allowing ourselves to become ‘hardened by the lure of sin’ we should daily cultivate a willingness to listen to God in the depths of our hearts. As with the Israelites, the decision is ours.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
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.
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.
Gospel
A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched the leper, and said to him,
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything,
but go, show yourself to the priest
and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.”
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.
“If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched the leper, and said to him,
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything,
but go, show yourself to the priest
and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.”
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.
No one should feel despair if he/she can have the experience of Jesus’ presence. We can have this by daily searching for him in personal prayer. Jesus turns no one away. He welcomes all. The leper was an outcast. Even religious people would avoid him because the order was given in the book of Leviticus. There was no hope among men for ‘a leper’. But there was in Jesus. Jesus felt compassion for the suffering person. It was the compassion of God. God suffers with every suffering person. Jesus broke down all social and religious barriers. He saw no one as ‘outcast’ neither should we. Discrimination of any kind is evil and sinful. We are to learn to see the precious value of each individual even if marred by physical or spiritual defects. We must treat them as Jesus treated this person. Do you sin by discrimination? Have you repented?
January 14, 2011
Friday of the First Week In Ordinary Time
Friday of the First Week In Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Let us be on our guard
while the promise of entering into his rest remains,
that none of you seem to have failed.
For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did.
But the word that they heard did not profit them,
for they were not united in faith with those who listened.
For we who believed enter into that rest,
just as he has said:
while the promise of entering into his rest remains,
that none of you seem to have failed.
For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did.
But the word that they heard did not profit them,
for they were not united in faith with those who listened.
For we who believed enter into that rest,
just as he has said:
As I swore in my wrath,
“They shall not enter into my rest,”
“They shall not enter into my rest,”
and yet his works were accomplished
at the foundation of the world.
For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner,
And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;
and again, in the previously mentioned place,
They shall not enter into my rest.
at the foundation of the world.
For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner,
And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;
and again, in the previously mentioned place,
They shall not enter into my rest.
Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest,
so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.
The author is condemning externalism. Just being a member of the Church, or having a position in the Church is of no value unless we wholeheartedly love and serve Jesus. John said to the Pharisees, ’Don’t say, we are children of Abraham’, thereby implying that that will save them, ‘because God can make children of Abraham out of these very stones’. To love Jesus is to keep his commandments.so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord!
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.
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.
Gospel
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,
“Child, your sins are forgiven.”
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?”
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.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,
“Child, your sins are forgiven.”
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?”
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.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
Jesus founded a community of fellowship. He is still present in his community. “Where two or three are gathered in my name I will be present”. The earnest prayer of the community will always be heard. Jesus himself intercedes (Matt 18:19, 20). We need communities in which believers pray earnestly. It was the community who brought the paralytic to Jesus. We need a lively faith in the presence of Jesus among us so that he can heal the paralytics of today. Many are paralysed by habits of sin such as anger, hatred, lust and addictions to drink and drugs. Jesus said, “Everyone who commits sin is a slave.”(John 8:34). Jesus alone liberates us. The paralytic wanted to be healed. His ‘community’ brought him to Jesus. We see here the pattern for healing. Do you encourage group prayer of intercession? Do you expect Jesus to do mighty works and liberate people?
January 15, 2011
Saturday of the First Week In Ordinary Time
Saturday of the First Week In Ordinary Time
Reading 1
The word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit,
joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit,
joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
The Word of God is alive and active when we proclaim it with faith, believing that God speaks through us. The Word of God is alive and active when we humbly listen to it and desire God to speak to us through it. It will then convict us, enlighten us and strengthen us. Since Jesus is our High Priest who has gone into the true Holy of Holies – the very presence of God, then “let us hold fast to our confession”. Let us remain in an intimate union of friendship with him. We can approach him with confidence and through him the Father and we will receive mercy and grace. Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (see John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
Gospel
Jesus went out along the sea.
All the crowd came to him and he taught them.
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,
sitting at the customs post.
Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed Jesus.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;
for there were many who followed him.
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.”
“I came to call sinners, not the upright”. We have courage to approach Jesus. Do we have a lively faith in his presence? We believe in Jesus, but do we believe in him as someone who is present now and who wants to meet us? Is the Gospel for us a record of the past or the story of the present? Is it our story? Jesus calls Levi. He was an outcast from religion and from orthodox Jewish society. No one is an outcast for Jesus. He forms a community where each person has equal dignity and value. Do you see the Church as a community in which each one without social distinctions has human dignity? Are you like Jesus who loves all or do you practice class or caste distinction? Do you “pay no regard to social standing, but meet humble people on their own terms?” Rom 12:16.All the crowd came to him and he taught them.
As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,
sitting at the customs post.
Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed Jesus.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;
for there were many who followed him.
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.”
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