A few links I found interesting for one reason or another:
Future Shape of Church – Ecumenical Matters
Parchment and Pen – When God Does Not Show Up
Center for Law and Religion – Can the State Order a Church to “De-Baptize” Someone?
Chelliah Laity – Bishops Accused of Not Being So Christian
Slate – That’s Obama’s Jobs Plan?
MercatorNet – Will the “Great Satan” strike a deal with Iran?
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father,
Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom
to mere children.
Alleluia!
Gospel Mark 3:31-35
The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Teach me your paths, my God,
make me walk in your truth.
Alleluia!
The Gospel Mark 3:22-30
The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.
‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
The kingdom of God is close at hand:
repent, and believe the Good News.
Alleluia!
The Gospel Mark 1:14-20
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’
As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
Funny story, while I think of it. Colm Toibin tells a story of Midnight Mass in Enniscorthy, long ago. Baptismal promises were renewed. The priest asked ‘Do you reject Satan and all his evil works?’ A drunk at the back roared out, ‘I do, the F*cker!’
SOURCE: A series of Tweets by ThirstGargoyle
Overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21)
Readings
Ex 23:1-9 Do not follow the majority in wrongdoing
Psalm 1 Happy are those whose delight is in the law of the Lord
Rom 12:17-22 Overcome evil with good
Mt 4:1-11 Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only
Commentary
In Jesus we learn what ‘victory’ really means for human beings – that is, happiness with one another in God’s love through His overcoming of all that keeps us apart. This is a sharing in Christ’s victory over the destructive forces that damage humanity and all of God’s creation. In Jesus we can share in a new life which calls us to struggle against what is wrong in our world with renewed confidence and with a delight in what is good.
The words of the Old Testament give a categorical warning against engaging in wrongdoing and injustice. The attitude of the majority must not in any way provide an excuse. Neither do wealth or other situations in life entitle a person to do wrong.
Psalm 1 draws attention not only to the need to observe the commandments, but especially to the joyful fruits of doing so. A person who loves the law of the Lord above all else is called happy and blessed. The word of God is a sure guide in adversity and is the fulfilment of human wisdom. Meditating on the word of God day and night enables a person to lead a life full of fruitfulness for the good of others.
In the apostle’s admonitions we find encouragement to overcome evil with good. Only good can interrupt the endless spiral of hatred and the human desire for revenge. In the struggle for what is good, not everything depends on human beings. However, the apostle Paul calls for every effort to be made to maintain peace with others. He understands our continuous struggle against our instincts to harm those who hurt us. But Paul appeals to us not to let ourselves be overcome by these destructive feelings. Doing good is an effective way of
combating wrong-doing among us.
The gospel reading describes the Son of God’s struggle against Satan – the personification of evil. Jesus’ victory over the temptations in the desert is fulfilled in His obedience to the Father, which leads Him to the Cross. The Saviour’s resurrection confirms that here God’s goodness ultimately wins: love overcomes death. The risen Lord is near! He accompanies us in every struggle against temptation and sin in the world. His presence calls Christians to act together in the cause of goodness.
The scandal is that because of our divisions we cannot be strong enough to fight against the evils of our time. United in Christ, delighting in His law of love, we are called to share in His mission of bringing hope to the places of injustice, hatred, and despair.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for Your victory over evil and division. We praise You for Your sacrifice and Your resurrection that conquer death. Help us in our everyday struggle against all adversity. May the Holy Spirit give us strength and wisdom so that, following You, we may overcome evil with good, and division with reconciliation. Amen+
Questions for reflection
1. Where do we see evil in our own lives?
2. In what way can our faith in Christ help us to overcome evil and the Evil One?
3. What can we learn from situations in our community where division has given way to
reconciliation?
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself,
and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.
Alleluia!
Gospel Mark 3:20-21
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
Caroline – Who represents Catholic Voices – blogged yesterday on the controversy generated by a Daily Mail article, which revealed that a Catholic Priest had postponed Holy Communion preparation classes for a seven-year-old boy with Downs Syndrome.
I won’t re-hash all of the intricacies surrounding this case, as you can hop over to the Daily Mail and Caroline’s piece to furnish yourself with more information.
Below I’ve linked to a media file which contains an interview given by Caroline to Radio Kerry earlier today. I thought Caroline gave a super interview, on what is a very controversial, complex and sensitive subject. Well worth a listen.
Christ suffered for us (cf. 1 Pt 2:21)
This day calls us to reflect on the suffering of Christ. Following Christ the Suffering Servant, Christians are called to solidarity with all who suffer. The closer we come to the cross of Christ the closer we come to one another.
Readings
Is 53:3-11 The man of sorrows accustomed to suffering
Ps 22: 12-24 He did not despise the affliction of the of the afflicted
1Pt 2:21-25 Christ suffered for us
Lk 24:25-27 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things?
Prayer
God of consolation, you have transformed the shame of the cross into a sign of victory.
Grant that we may be united around the Cross of your Son to worship Him for the mercy
offered through his suffering. May the Holy Spirit open our eyes and our hearts,
so that we may help those who suffer to experience your closeness.
You who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen+
Questions for reflection
1. How can our faith help us in our response to long-lasting suffering?
2. What areas of human suffering are unnoticed and belittled today?
3. How can Christians bear witness together to the power of the cross?
Gosh, how quickly time flies, we are once again in midst of the eight days of Christian unity. Apologies for being a little late, but here are the themes for each day.
Day One: Changed by the Servant Christ
The Son of Man came to serve (cf. Mk 10:45)
On this day we encounter Jesus, on the road to victory through service. We see him as the ”one who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life, a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Consequently, the Church of Jesus Christ is a serving community. The use of our diverse gifts in common service to humanity makes visible our unity in Christ.
Day Two: Changed through patient waiting for the Lord
Let it be so now, for it is proper to fulfil all righteousness (Mt 3:15)
On this day we concentrate on patient waiting for the Lord. To achieve any change, perseverance and patience are needed. Prayer to God for any kind of transformation is also an act of faith and trust in his promises. Such waiting for the Lord is essential for all who pray for the visible unity of the church this week. All ecumenical activities require time, mutual attention and joint action. We are all called to co-operate with the work of the Spirit in uniting Christians.
Day Three: Changed by the Suffering Servant
Christ suffered for us (cf. 1 Pt 2:21)
This day calls us to reflect on the suffering of Christ. Following Christ the Suffering Servant, Christians are called to solidarity with all who suffer. The closer we come to the cross of Christ the closer we come to one another.
Day Four: Changed by the Lord’s Victory over Evil
Overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21)
This day takes us deeper into the struggles against evil. Victory in Christ is an overcoming of all that damages God’s creation, and keeps us apart from one another. In Jesus we are called to share in this new life, struggling with him against what is wrong in our world, with renewed confidence and with a delight in what is good. In our divisions we cannot be strong enough to overcome evil in our times.
Day Five: Changed by the peace of the Risen Lord
Jesus stood among them and said: Peace be with you! (Jn 20:19)
Today we celebrate the peace of the Risen Lord. The Risen One is the great Victor over death and the world of darkness. He unites His disciples, who were paralysed with fear. He opens up before us new prospects of life and of acting for His coming kingdom. The Risen Lord unites and strengthens all believers. Peace and unity are the hallmarks of our transformation in the resurrection.
Day Six: Changed by God’s Steadfast Love
This is the victory, our faith (cf. 1 Jn 5:4)
On this day we concentrate our attention on God’s steadfast love. The Paschal Mystery reveals this steadfast love, and calls us to a new way of faith. This faith overcomes fear and opens our hearts to the power of the Spirit. Such faith calls us to friendship with Christ, and so to one another.
Day Seven: Changed by the Good Shepherd
Feed my sheep (Jn 21:19)
On this day the Bible texts show us the Lord strengthening His flock. Following the Good Shepherd, we are called to strengthen each other in the Lord, and to support and fortify the weak and the lost. There is one Shepherd, and we are his people.
Day Eight: United in the Reign of Christ
To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne (Rv 3:21)
On this last day of our week of prayer for Christian Unity we celebrate the Reign of Christ. Christ’s victory enables us to look into the future with hope. This victory overcomes all that keeps us from sharing fullness of life with him and with each other. Christians know that unity among us is above all a gift of God. It is a share in Christ’s glorious victory over all that divides.
