Jan 13-18: 1st Week - Daily Reflections

Jan 13: Monday (St. Hilary, Bp, Dr)

 https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-hilary/:

Mk 1: 14-20: 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” 16 And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. USCCB video reflections: 

Baptism of the Lord, Year A

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 / Acts 10:34-38 / Matthew 3:13-17

As a matter of fact, about 70% of the earth’s surface is covered with water. That is quite a lot of water. 

Saturday after Epiphany - Reflection & Liturgy

1 John 5:14-21 / John 3:22-30

God hears our prayers: We should pray for sinners.

A number of years ago Newsweek magazine carried a moving article about the crash of United Airlines flight 629 in Colorado. Someone had hidden a bomb on the plane, killing all aboard.

Two of the dead passengers were parents of three young sons in Pittsburgh. The pastor of St. Gabriel’s asked the oldest boy, Jerry, if it would be okay to hold a prayer service for his parents that afternoon. Jerry said yes, and then added, “Could we also say a prayer for the man who killed my mother and father?”

BAPTISM OF THE LORD - Liturgy

1. My Beloved Son
2. What About Our Baptism?

Greeting (See Second Reading)

God has revealed to us his kindness and love
in Jesus Christ our Savior
by saving us through the cleansing water of rebirth
and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord Jesus be always with you. R/ And also with you.

Friday after Epiphany, Jan 10th Plus Liturgy

1 John 5:5-13 / Luke 5:12-16
Jesus is the Son of God: Water, blood, and Spirit testify to Jesus.

After Jesus’ baptism in water, a voice from heaven testified, “You are my own dear Son.” Mark 1:11. After Jesus’ death in blood on the cross, a Roman officer was moved to testify, “This man was really the Son of God!” Mark 15:39

Wednesday after Epiphany, 08-01-19

1 John 4:11-18 / Mark 6:45-52

*Love casts out fear: Have courage on judgment day.*

Ethel Waters was a famous black singer. Her heart was as big as her body. In her last interview before she died, she said:

Thursday after Epiphany, 09-01-20 - Reflections and Liturgy

1 John 4:19 - 5:4 / Luke 4:14-22

How can we be sure we love God?: Whoever loves God must also love others.

Queen Victoria of England had a summer residence at Balmoral, England. One day she was out walking alone and got caught in a rainstorm. She ran to a small cottage for shelter and asked the woman who answered the door if she could borrow an umbrella.

Baptism of the Lord

Gospel Text: Matthew 3:13-17 Michel de Verteuil
Textual Comments
The story of Jesus’s baptism is told in all four Gospels – an indication that the early Christians considered it an important event in the life of Jesus.
There are two aspects to the event:

Tuesday after Epiphany, 07-01-20: Reflection & Liturgy

1 John 4:7-10 / Mark 6:34-44

God is love: Whoever loves knows God.

An old woman suddenly began to have doubts about the existence of God. The woman couldn’t understand why this was happening. Finally, she decided to go to a priest for help. “I’m having terrible problems with my faith,” she confessed. “Is there anything I can do?” The priest’s suggestion surprised her. He simply said, “Begin to love your neighbor more actively and more concretely.” The priest’s advice jibes with John’s words in today’s reading. John says, “Whoever loves . . . knows God.”

Monday after Epiphany, 06-01-20+ Liturgy

1 John 3:22 - 4:6 / Matthew 4: 12-17, 23-25

Do not trust every spirit: Test each spirit to see if it is of God.

In May 1981, a man was accused of killing eight prostitutes. He said he was acting on orders from God. About a month later Mark Chapman, the killer of John Lennon, said God told him to drop his defense and plead guilty to the slaying.