.: 01/11/23

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

† ".Let us go on to . . . "

†Saint Quote
"Love takes up where knowledge leaves off."
–St. Thomas Aquinas

†Today's Meditation
"You judge me, O Lord, for, although no one 'knows the things of a man but the spirit of man which is in him,' there is something further in man which not even that spirit of man which is in him knows. But you, Lord, who made him, know all things that are in him. Although I despise myself before your sight, and account myself but dust and ashes, yet I know something of you which I do not know about myself. In truth, 'we see now through a glass in a dark manner,' and not yet 'face to face.' … Let me confess, then, what I know about myself. Let me confess also what I do not know about myself, since that too which I know about myself I know because you enlighten me. As to that which I am ignorant of concerning myself, I remain ignorant of it until my 'darkness shall be made as the noonday in your sight.'"
—St. Augustine, p. 197

An Excerpt From
The Confessions of Saint Augustine

†Daily Verse
"Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."
–Matthew 5:16

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Pope St. Hyginus

Pope St. Hyginus (d. 142 A.D.) was born in Athens, Greece, and became the ninth successor to the Chair of St. Peter. He reigned as pope for four years from about 138-142 A.D. Many of the details of his life have not been preserved, although various actions are credited to him: defending the Catholic faith against the Gnostic heresy which spread in Rome; beginning the practice of including godparents at infant baptisms to help the newborn child receive a Christian upbringing; and decreeing that all churches must be consecrated. Pope St. Hyginus is buried near the tomb of St. Peter on Vatican Hill. It is uncertain whether he became a martyr under the persecutions of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. His feast day is January 11.

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I Heb 2:14-18

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.

Responsorial Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

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.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name;

rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;

seek to serve him constantly.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,

sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;

throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant

which he made binding for a thousand generations--
Which he entered into with Abraham

and by his oath to Isaac.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 1:29-39

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.
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.
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.

Daily Meditation: Mark 1:29-39

Everyone is looking for you. (Mark 1:37)

No wonder everyone was looking for him! First, Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law. That evening, the whole town crowded around his door, and he healed and delivered many people. He probably had very little time to sleep that night, but he got up early the next morning and headed to a deserted place to spend time in quiet prayer. Before the clamor began, he needed to still his mind and listen to what was on his Father's heart.

That's why, when the disciples came looking for him, Jesus said they would be moving on. Even though demands pressed in on him from every side right where he was, Jesus had different instructions from his Father. Jesus wasn't rejecting the people of Capernaum; he was fulfilling his mission to reach out to all people.

Whether they are aware of it or not, every human being is looking for Jesus, just as the people in Capernaum were. Some people are seeking physical healing. Some are looking for purpose in life or guidance in specific decisions. Some are starving for love or forgiveness or encouragement. Still others might not even realize that Jesus is the deepest answer to their restless hearts.

How will all these people find Jesus? Through us who believe! But how can we accomplish such an important task? First and foremost, by listening to the Father the way Jesus did. We need to spend time with him so that we can see people as he does. We can ask him to help us see their true needs and longings. We can ask him to help us understand how he wants us to help them, which could very well be different from our first instinct. We might realize that behind that neighbor's grumpiness is a heart that is longing for the Lord. Or behind that "sinner's" heart is a soul grappling with its need for Jesus.

So let's steal away to spend time with our heavenly Father, like Jesus did. Even when we're tired or feeling hard-pressed, let's make the time to listen to what's on God's heart so that we can respond with love to the needs all around us.

"Lord, help me to make time to listen to how you are inviting me to help people find you today."

Hebrews 2:14-18
Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9

From today's 1st Holy Scripture:
"...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."

The other day, I heard on Catholic Radio, an explanation on how this whole offering of Christ thing works. Because, even for me, it is hard to comprehend the sacrifice of Christ. And so, in a nutshell, if you think about it, we have no way of repaying God anything for anything. Even one sin is too much and there is no way to pay. And so, God gave us Christ, His Only Begotten Son, basically His very essence in Jesus, the greatest gift on earth. And that gift is the only thing we have to offer back that can repay for one sin, and that one sin causes your one death. And so, we get a two for one with our Lord Jesus as our King and everything. It is our Lord that is the blessed silent lamb of atonement, that to this day, I dare say, lives on offering Himself for sins, still suffering. And I don't like suffering, yet, I can offer that too. Maybe facing ridicule. Maybe facing physical ailments. Everything can help our Lord, believe it or not.

We pray today;
"Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! Look to the LORD in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever."

In the Gospel today we heard:
"For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons"

And so He came to accomplish His mission, the very will of God the Father, and our Father now through Jesus...for it is in His blood that we are made into the blood of our Father.
And so, the radio guy, I think Dr. David Andrews, said "it's like you have nothing to give as a little boy at church during the offering, and your daddy hands you a quarter to put in the collection basket, so you would have something to give on your behalf".
And this is true, because, truly, everything actually belongs to God.

So, my child, how does this make you feel?

Firstly, how highly does God our Father think of you! That He would send you such a gift, wrapped up in a pure cloth, from a pure Mother, for you to love and behold and to cherish! And I pondered on his image as a baby, a baby Jesus on an altar before I walk out of my house, and next to it, the Sacred Heart of Jesus image, watching me with great care, because He does care. Can we care for each other? Can we become one together? One body, one flesh? This is more than pinky swearing, or blood swearing, it is an actual living out of His covenant.
And we are to live out His desires...the will of the Father in Heaven. I believe we can, more and more each day.

.......................†........................
Lord, I pray that I may love Thee more and more, and forever.
..................................................

adrian