Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: "They showed us unusual kindness"
Martin Luther King Day

Pope Saint Fabian (-250); Saint Sebastian (early Christian martyr)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 4:44-62
Mass: 1 Sm 15:16-23; Resp Ps 50; Mk 2:18-22

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND EFFECTIVE, ABLE TO DISCERN REFLECTIONS AND THOUGHTS OF THE HEART.
(Gospel Acclamation, Mass)

Today's Gospel Acclamation, a few verses from the Holy Rule, and the Gospel for the next three days, bring to mind something dear Sr Josephine of happy memory said. The first part, many are likely familiar with; the second maybe not so many. I wasn't. "Curiosity killed the cat. Satisfaction got it back."

The Pharisees appear to be curious. We hear that they watch Jesus closely (Mk 3:2). They want to know, among other things, why the disciples do not fast (Mk 2:18). They want to know why the disciples are doing what is unlawful on the sabbath (Mk 2:24). It makes me wonder why they weren't more concerned about their own affairs instead of zoning in on what Jesus and his disciples were doing. After all, their aim was to accuse Jesus (Mk 3:2), not support him. St Benedict says this: "Hour by hour keep careful watch over all you do" (RB 4:48) so as to be "aware that God's gaze is upon you, wherever you may be" (RB 4:49). St Benedict doesn't tell me to keep careful watch over all my sister or brother is doing. I remember too something a former teacher and Benedictine scholar said: "If everyone in the monastery would just mind her own business, there would be a lot more peace." It seems this would apply just about anywhere, whether at home, work, in community, at the parish, or any social situation. Indeed, the Word of God is living and effective, able to discern what is happening in my heart. 

Being Christian does not mean defending yourself with an ideology in order to move forward. To be Christian is to be free, because we have confidence, because we are docile to the Word of the Lord.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, taken from his homily at Casa Santa Marta, January 20, 2020)

POPE SAINT FABIAN, SAINT SEBASTIAN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The beach at Warrenton, Oregon. Thanks d. 


© Gertrude Feick 2020