Reflections for the First Week in Ordinary Time 2012**
** These homilies were written by Fr. Howard in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
They refer to the daily readings for the First Week in Ordinary Time 2012.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Matthew 2: 1-12, The Epiphany of the Lord
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
Today’s Gospel from St. Matthew on this Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord does not give us any of the details of Jesus’ birth but rather focuses on where he was born, in Bethlehem of Judea. The great King David had been anointed King in Bethlehem and Jesus’ being born there shows his decent from David.
The “Magi” in today’s Gospel are the first visitors to the newborn Jesus. Even though some of the Christmas carols indicate otherwise, these Magi were not kings or wise men. Here they appear to have been astrologers who interpret the movement of the stars. Whether these Magi are historically real or made up creations of St. Matthew is open for discussion. Some believe the star they followed to be Halley’s comet, which appeared in 12-11BC. Matthew may have created this idea of the star to reinforce a popular belief that royal births were indicated by astrological happenings. In any event, the Magi are pictured as Gentiles who accept Jesus as the Messiah and, like the disciples, gave him their very lives.
The word Epiphany means a manifestation, showing or revealing. With his birth, Jesus manifested himself to the world. He came to make all things new for those who accepted him. For me, there is little difference between Epiphany and Conversion or Repentance (making that U turn in our lives). They go together like strawberries and cream. The Magi saw and believed. The disciples encountered and experienced Jesus and followed him immediately. And, I believe, it is also like that for you and me.
Each of us has his/her own moment of Epiphany when Jesus manifests himself to us in a very real way and invites us to follow him. For me this happened when I was 44 years old and my drinking problem had reached its pinnacle. That Saturday evening I tried to say a parish Mass while highly inebriated and messed things all up, when a little old lady challenged me with her confronting words, “Shame on you, shame on you!” Later I realized that little old lady was Christ manifesting himself to me letting me know that he wanted me to quit playing games and be the person and priest he had made me to be. Thank God, I listened to him and began to follow him as my way, truth and life. Things have been just wonderful in my life since that day 36 years ago.
How about you? When was your Epiphany, your encounter with Jesus that caused you to listen to him and follow him? When did you “leave everything” to follow him in earnest?
Lord Jesus, we thank you for your manifestation of yourself to us and the invitation to follow you. We thank you, too, for the strength needed to continue in your way, truth and life.
Fr. Howard
Monday, January 9
Mark 1: 7-11, The Baptism of the Lord
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
Today's Liturgy celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord by St. John Baptist in the Jordan River. The first reading for today's Liturgy is taken from Isaiah, the forty-second chapter. Isaiah is describing God's Servant as one upon whom God has put his Spirit. For Isaiah a servant is one chosen by God and anointed with the Spirit. This idea applies to the Messiah (the Anointed One of God- Jesus) and to God's people. Let us remember our own double anointing in the Sacrament of Baptism. There we are set aside, marked, consecrated for a holy purpose.
These verses from Isaiah in chapter 42 give the marks of a servant. A mark is a sign of identification. Our different marks identify us. If you see someone 6'10" tall with a full head of bushy hair, that person is not me. Those are not my marks. The marks of a Christian servant are associated with Baptism. They may be referred to as the fruits of Baptism. They identify us as Christians. There are four of them:
The first mark of the Christian servant is gentleness. We see this in verses 2 and 3: "He will be gentle, he will not shout or quarrel in the streets." Gentleness comes from the Greek word epieikeia which means gentle authority. This has become a legal term in our own day meaning a gentle interpretation of the law as opposed to a strict interpretation. Gentleness and meekness are closely related. The basic idea behind this Greek word is real strength under control, a gentleness that is really strong.
Secondly, the Christian will speak out boldly in order to bring forth justice. Justice here means righteousness, having a right relationship with God and our fellow human beings.
Thirdly, the Christian servant will be aware that being a servant involves costliness. This ministry, this doing the will of the Father, is not going to be all ice cream and apple pie. It is going to involve pain. Isaiah says in verse 14: "he will groan and cry like a woman delivering her child." Note that this is pain leading to joy, like the pain of giving birth.
Fourthly, is the mark of mightiness. There is nothing weak about the servant. The Christian servant is not a wimp. Rather, they have courage and fortitude. The Christian servant does not bounce all over the place, does not fluctuate from one extreme to the other.
When I reflect on these marks that I should have as a Christian, I shudder. I have a long way to go.
Fr. Howard
Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Jan. 10, Mark 1: 21-28
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
Our Gospel for today begins with the first of three miracles with which St. Mark ends the first chapter of his Gospel. In today’s Gospel Jesus drives an evil spirit out of a man. In the Gospel for tomorrow he will heal Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and on the following day he will heal a leper who comes to him for help. Jesus’ miracles are sometimes considered “signs.” A sign is something that tells about something other than itself. What the sign tells us is the important thing.
The miracle in today’s Gospel was very important to the possessed man. What is here that is important for you and for me? I believe this sign is important for us because it tells us that Jesus had power over evil spirits. Jesus is goodness personified. His action in curing the possessed man shows us that good will eventually triumph over evil. Those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours every day run into this idea frequently in reading the psalms. Oftentimes we become envious of ignorant people who are doing evil things and seemingly benefit from doing so. They cheat, they are greedy, and yet they seem to be happy. This miracle in today’s Gospel tells us they are not happy.
Goodness will triumph over evil eventually. It is the truly good who will be happy, content and at peace with God and themselves. Let us pray today for the strength to continue in the right path we have chosen.
Fr. Howard
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Jan. 11, Mark 1: 29-39
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
My Bible Commentary tells me that Peter’s mother-in-law, whom Jesus cured from a fever in today’s Gospel, was the first person in the Gospels to act as Jesus acts. That is interesting! The author says this because of the words “she waited on them.” Waiting on others is the same thing as serving others, which is the primary thing Jesus came to do. Jesus came to serve.
Way back in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah we read of Jesus as the suffering servant. This was his legacy. Jesus was a servant to all of us par excellence. Jesus says repeatedly in the Gospels that he came “not to be served but to serve.” Service here is giving of oneself and expecting nothing in return.This is also meant to be our legacy as followers of Jesus. We are to serve one another with the gifts and talents Jesus has given to us from the beginning. Once again, and let’s underline it, life is not all about me. My selfishness must give way to serving and caring for others.
Let’s take the time today to honestly look at ourselves to see how we are faring in this area of being of service to others.
Fr. Howard
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Jan. 12, Mark 1: 40-45
In today’s Gospel a leper approached Jesus and said to him, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” And Jesus, moved with compassion for the man, stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
We have remarked numerous times that lepers were ostracized from the rest of society because of their illness. Here, in this miracle, we run into the so-called “Markan secret” that we hear in many other places in Scripture. Jesus told the leper, “See that you tell no one anything.” But the leper went and told everyone he met that Jesus had cured him. The leper went from a person ostracized from society, lonely and fearful, to a person who was now part of the normal community again and who also had the courage to witness to the healing powers of Jesus.
If we have been healed in any way by the Lord, let us, too, proclaim it from the rooftops. Perhaps this will help others to call on Jesus for help and also become witnesses of Jesus’ healing power and love for all.
Fr. Howard
Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Jan. 13, Mark 2: 1-12
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
Mark’s Gospel for today continues the series of miracles he has been narrating. He ended his first chapter with three miracles and now he begins the second chapter with another, the healing of the paralytic. In this miracle, as in most of Jesus’ miracles, Jesus comments about the faith that make the miracle possible to happen. Only in this particular miracle it is not the faith of the paralytic that Jesus comments on but rather the faith of the four individuals who brought him into the presence of Jesus.
“When Jesus saw their faith he said to him, “child, your sins are forgiven ...... Rise, pick up your mat and walk.” This brings up a point for our consideration. Is our faith strong enough to enable us to bring others to meet and encounter Jesus? Do we do everything we can to encourage someone who is interested in knowing more about Jesus? Do we perhaps try and arrange to have the person meet Jesus with us? This can be accomplished by praying with the person, inviting them to Sunday Liturgy or to the RCIA classes in the parish. We can also volunteer our services to the RCIA program as a sponsor or teacher.
Let’s try and get involved in somehow showing others the way to Jesus. If we can but arrange the meeting, Jesus will take it from there, as we witness in our Gospel story today.
Fr. Howard
Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Jan. 14, Mark 2: 13-17
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
In our Gospel reading for today it would appear that Jesus went looking for the worst of the worst to invite them to have dinner with him and listen to his teachings. “Many tax collectors and sinners ate with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed them.”
The people we try to introduce to Jesus do not have to be what we call “holy or good” people, those who maybe pray a lot or read their Bible a lot. It is perfectly OK and even recommended to approach the worst “sinner” you can find and tell them you have a friend you would like them to meet. Then introduce them in some way to Jesus and his values. This is where real saints come from. I can remember a real good story of doing just this and the beautiful results of it all, but I cannot write about it for fear of the person being recognized by some who might read it. Let’s just say it can and does happen and when it does, it is powerful.
Fr. Howard
