Feb 1, 2015 - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020115.cfm

Family Connection from Loyola Press Sunday Connection: 
http://www.loyolapress.com/sunday-connection.htm?sId=83876

The people who heard Jesus teach and saw him heal in today's Gospel were said to have been astonished and amazed by the authority of his teaching. So compelling were Jesus' words and actions that the news about him could not be contained; it spread quickly throughout all of Galilee. Two thousand years later, the news about Jesus continues to spread. We are called to participate in sharing the Good News of Jesus with others in our words and in our deeds.

Gather as a family and try to name some amazing things, events, or people. In today's Gospel we hear that the people were astonished and amazed by their experience of Jesus. Read today's Gospel, Mark 1:21–28. What did the people who saw and heard Jesus find so amazing? (In Jesus, the people heard and saw the power and authority of God at work.) People should see in our lives the power and authority of God at work. Can you name any modern examples of people in whom you have seen the power and authority of God at work? Conclude in prayer together that we will experience wonder at the work of God in our world today.

For another interesting reflection - tied into the Super Bowl - link to Fr. Dave Heney's reflection!

http://daveheney.com/gospel-reflections-for-february-1-2015/

January 25, 2015 - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012515.cfm

As I read this Sunday's readings, I truly felt an urgency from God to follow Him.  I felt that NOW is the Time!  Did you get this feeling?

I wanted to laugh as I started reading from Jonah - because, even though the reading doesn't include the drama of God calling Jonah and Jonah running from God and then God getting Jonah's attention by having him in the belly of a fish....(How many times have I been called by God and run the other way?) - regardless...this Sunday we don't focus on that...we focus on Jonah's obedience to proclaim God's message to the people of Nineveh.....and Shocker!  They listened to God, turned from their evil ways and God repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them.

Happily ever after!

I am a catechist (we are all catechists, if we are parents).  How are we proclaiming the word faithfully to those around us?  Are we obedient to God?  Or do we do our own thing?

In the Responsorial Psalm...it is my plea to God to help teach me His ways....make them known to me...because as a Catechist, I need to follow Him and be true to His Ways...how can I do that, if I do not know them?

The first reading starts out: I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out.
and ends: For the world in its present form is passing away.
Motivating?  It is like the message of Jonah....We don't know the time do we?  

Then in the Gospel, Jesus, himself is calling us: “This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

He calls some fishermen - and they drop their nets and follow Him....immediately.

He calls me.  Do I drop what I am doing? (laundry, cleaning, typing, ) and follow Him?  

I do feel the urgency in these readings.....My prayer is in the responsorial psalm 

"Yes, Lord" teach me your ways!  

Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice
and teaches the humble his way.

I humbly ask you to show me your way!

Here I am Lord!

January 18, 2015 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011815.cfm

The Old Testiment Reading is from 1st Samuel.  Another one of my favorites.  There are songs we have sung over and over during mass that bring me to tears.  Here I am Lord, your Servant is Listening.

Samuel was learning from Eli how to be a good servant to God....

This is a good lesson for us!

 “ if you are called, reply, Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”

So, have you heard God calling?  Are you listening?  

Psalm 40 - Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.

Have you noticed how hard obedience is?  I learned that lesson a while back.  I thought I was listening to God.  But God didn't want me to choose my own path, He wanted me to follow the path of my superior in the Church.  He wanted me to follow the Church's teachings, not my own "feelings" about the teachings of the church.

I hadn't realized until then - that I was kind of a "Cafeteria Catholic".  I was picking and choosing what I liked about being Catholic.  I was really good at following what I liked doing, what was easy for me to do, even if there was some sacrifice to it.   But when it came to following all the teachings to the letter...I struggled...but I did hear God's call and I was obedient.  I am not saying I didn't complain - because I did....but I submitted to God and did His Holy Will.  I learned to finally be obedient without an attitude.  I think that is what this Psalm is saying.  I have come to do your will - not my will with your blessing.

Jesus asks Andrew and the other disciple, “What are you looking for?” This is a telling question, and one that we might often ask of ourselves. John the Baptist testified to Jesus' identity, the Lamb of God, using the framework of the Old Testament. Andrew, Simon, and the other first disciples were looking for the Messiah, whom they also came to know as the Son of God.  

Is Jesus calling us?  What is our response?  Do we have an excuse not to follow?  Or do we trust Jesus?
It's not easy, but it's the best adventure I have ever been on!  Not that I am doing it well every day...but I try!

January 4 - The Epiphany of the Lord

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010415.cfm

Wise Men and Women Still Seek Jesus!

The first reading from Isaiah is a prophecy about the birth of Jesus, the Star of Bethlehem and the Magi and the gifts!

"your heart shall throb and overflow"  - Have you ever felt like that about God?  I have been so overwhelmed by God's love and mercy,  that there are no words.  

Lord, Every nation on Earth will adore you!

The Gospel continues with the story of the three magi

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures 
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

I have no gifts of expense to give to God, but I do have my heart.  I can share that with Jesus and with others!

I seek Him daily.  I try to share Him with those around me.  I hope we find that these are the gifts that matter to Him the most.  I feel like the little drummer boy.  My humble gifts are special to Him, because He gave them to me to share!


What gifts do you have to bring to Jesus? 

Have a blessed week!

January 1st - The Octave of Christmas, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010115.cfm

What a beautiful way to start the new year!!!

The first reading is a blessing that God gave to Moses to give to Aaron and his sons (who are the priest lines).

The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

What a beautiful blessing for us all...and with the coming of Jesus - the One and Only Priest - He gives us this blessing through His life and death and resurrection!  This blessing became FLESH!!!  

My prayer and continued AWE for God is in this:  God bless us with your mercy (I know what I deserve, but God is offering His Mercy - I still can't believe it!!!)

In the 2nd reading we become sons of God through Jesus!  Through the promise of Jesus!!!  Through the Miracle of this incarnation!!!  How Amazing and blessed are we???

My favorite line to reflect on in the Gospel is  "Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart."

How amazed must Mary have been, to have the shepherds come and tell her the message they heard from the angels....Then to be visited by the magi....Even then she held it in her heart...

How many times have I seen the hand of God in my life and reflected on it in my heart.....how can I explain it to others?  How can I share the depth of AWE and WONDER I feel?  I can only share the JOY and Love that I receive.  I feel Mary was like that.  Mary was obedient to God, Mary brought Jesus into the world, Mary shared the love of Jesus with others and encouraged others to listen to Him!  

Mary is our example of being a disciple.  She is the mother of God!  She had hardships and challenges and yet she trusted and still marveled at the gift of God in her presence. 

The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

Blessings to you this New Year!

Nancy

December 14, 2014 - 3rd Sunday of Advent

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121414.cfm

Third Sunday of Advent - Pink Sunday - Gaudette Sunday - Sunday of HOPE!  Christmas is almost here!!!

How has your Advent been?  Have you had a chance to sit and Wait for the Lord?  Wait on the Lord? Have you had time to stop and just be with the Lord?

This has been a Great Advent for me!  I have been to an Advent Retreat - which was a wonderful time for me to reflect and to be fed!  I actually felt affirmed by God!  I felt He touched me at my point of need and encouraged me in this journey!

I have had a chance to read, pray, reflect, laugh, cry - all in "moments" of communion with God!

Today's readings reflect my joy!  REJOICE!!!

In the first reading - today these words jumped out at me!

I rejoice heartily in the LORD,
in my God is the joy of my soul;

I know this mountain high will not last forever, but I will relish it while it is here!  I will rejoice HEARTILY in the LORD, in my God - who is the JOY of my soul!   I won't look back at my mistakes and my failures...I won't fear the future and what it "might" bring....I REJOICE in this DAY!!!!

The responsible Psalm is the Magnificat.  Mary's beautiful prayer of praise of God and what He did in her life.  Her full "Yes", without regard or worry about what the future would hold - is what I am trying to focus on today.  Let me live in THIS moment and know that God is Immanuel - HE IS WITH ME!  No matter what!

Mary proclaims - and I with her!  
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.

R/ My soul rejoices in my God.
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

Rejoicing comes from the goodness of God!!!

And Paul proclaims in 1st Thessalonians:

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

May the God of peace make you perfectly holy
and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,
be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will also accomplish it.

How beautiful is that!!!!  The one who calls you is faithful and he will also accomplish it (make me HOLY!)

Our Gospel talks about John the Baptist
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.

We (you and I) are not the light - we are called to testify to the light - to share our HOPE!  To share our Joy!  To point to the One who is the JOY of our Soul!  

I am not worthy to untie his sandlestrap - but I can testify to all He has done for me!  His great mercy and love!  
That's why this week is filled with HOPE!  and JOY!!!  God is with us!  Emmanuel!  He will come again!  May we all be ready and waiting with the light of His love in our hearts!

Have a blessed week!  
Nancy

December 7, 2014 - 2nd Sunday of Advent

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120714.cfm

Today's message is very unlike the messages we hear everyday all around us...

BUY This!  Buy That!  Christmas is all about buying presents for each other....I have spent many years going into debt in December - taking the rest of the year to pay it off.....

What heavenly good has that done?  What difference has anything I bought for anyone made in their lives?  Can anyone really remember what they received from me for Christmas?

So what message is really important at Christmas?

The message that God gives us today!  Prepare our hearts and our souls for the Lord.  How do we do that?  Repent...turn from sin....turn toward God....Love God and Love one another.

Hopefully, my family and friends can tell you how much I love them - not by what I have bought them, but by how I treat them.  How I love, how I forgive, how I serve them.   If I make mistakes or hurt them, I say I am sorry.  I am far from perfect...but I try to keep my eyes on God.

This is the message John the Baptist is proclaiming - Prepare the Way of the Lord!

How are our lives preparing the way of God to those around us?

Is anyone of our family closer to God because of us?  Have we proclaimed God's love through our actions?

In the first reading: "Give comfort to my people!"

In the responsorial psalm:  Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.

In the 2nd Reading: 

what sort of persons ought you to be,

conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,  - because we don't know when He is coming, we should always be this way...

In the Gospel - John the Baptist came to prepare the way of the Lord.  He preached repentance - knowing Jesus would come to help us with the Holy Spirit.  

No, we cannot do this on our own...only as we stay close to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit in prayer; Humbly asking how we can be more Holy each day - repenting for our sins and then proclaiming God's great love and mercy to those around us - through our actions.

What do our lives proclaim?  Especially during this Christmas time?  Is is peace, love, forgiveness?  

I pray that God will continue to guide me, forgive me when I fall short, and help me to be Holy and ready for Him when He returns.  In the meantime - I want my life to proclaim God.  It may not be "popular" - but I know it is the way of the Lord.

Have a blessed 2nd week of Advent!  

Nancy