Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 7:59

Mass: 1 Kings 10:1-10; Resp. Psalm 37; Mark 7:14-23

The Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord.

It’s difficult not to be influenced by what others say. If we’ve never met someone, for example, and a friend says, ‘Oh, you’ll like him,’ or, ‘she is rude,’ we sometimes just take the opinion as final word. Then we end up not caring for the man we’re supposed to ‘like’, and being fond of the ‘rude’ woman. The Queen of Sheba would have nothing to do with all the hubbub surrounding King Solomon; she would find out for herself and form her own opinion; she would put him to her test, with hard questions. Off goes the queen with a very great retinue—camels bearing spices, very much gold, and precious stones. It must have been quite a sight. The queen proceeds to tell Solomon all that was on her mind. Solomon answers all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king which he could not explain to her. Impressed (the NRSV relates ‘there was no more spirit in her’), the queen proclaims: ‘The report was true which I heard in my own land of your affairs and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it; and behold, the half was not told me; your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report which I heard.’ Furthermore, ‘Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you on the throne of Israel for ever.’ 

It has been said: ‘Seeing is believing.’ Thomas believed when he saw and touched the wounds of Jesus (Jn 20:24-29). The Queen of Sheba believed only after seeing King Solomon in person, testing him with subtle questions. Sometimes we just have to see for ourselves. Important throughout is keeping an open mind and heart when meeting all people: the wise and not so wise, the slim and stout, young and old, the rich and poor, the good-looking and better-looking, the witty and dull, the outcast and downtrodden. There is a piece of wisdom in all of us—something in each person that tells us something about God which no one else can.  I think of the 1969 single by John Lennon, ‘Give Peace a Chance.’ All we are saying is give peace a chance. All we are saying is give people a chance. Everyone. 

Then she gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones; never again did spices come in such quantity as that which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

Saint Paul Miki and Companions (d. 1597)

Readings of the day: RB 7:56-58

Mass: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; Resp. Psalm 84; Mark 7:1-13

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine human precepts.

Here, Jesus quotes the Prophet Isaiah in response to more calculated questioning. A response as fitting today as it was then.

The ninth step of humility leads us to refrain from unnecessary speech and to guard our silence by not speaking until we are addressed. That is what scripture recommends with these sayings: Anyone who is forever chattering will not escape sin and there is another saying from a psalm: One who never stops talking loses the right way in life.

(RB 7:56-58)

Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees;

and favor me with your law.

ALLELUIA.

Saint Agatha (martyred, c. 3rd century)

Readings of the day: RB 7:55

Mass: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Resp. Psalm 132; Mark 6:53-56

To stir the imagination, I looked at three different translations of today’s Gospel. I was most interested in one verse (Mk 6:55). After the people recognized Jesus, they ‘scurried about the surrounding country…’ (NAB); ‘ran about the whole neighborhood…’ (RSV); ‘rushed about the whole region…’ (NRSV). Put another way, the people made haste. Wherever Jesus went, the people went. They brought with them the sick on mats or pallets. They begged or besought Him that they might touch even the fringe on his garment or the tassel on his cloak. As many as touched it were healed or made well. R. Guardini has this to say:

From all sides human suffering streams to [Jesus]; on foot, on the shoulders of the sturdy, on stretchers. And Jesus walks the flood of pain, and the power of God flows from him in a wave of healing, and the words of the prophet are fulfilled: ‘Surely he hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrow’ (Is 53:4). The Spirit within him has the power to heal—to heal from the root of the evil. He recreates original life new and unspoiled. Jesus’ salutary powers are inexhaustible—more than adequate for all the misery. He does not recoil from the wounds, the distorted limbs and faces that gather at this door. He holds his stand. He does not select, does not choose this malady as particularly urgent, that sufferer’s faith as particularly promising; he receives them all, simply, accepting each burden as it comes. His ‘Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened’ is practiced before it is preached (Mt 11:28).

(The Lord, p. 55)

SEEK THE LORD.

HE WILL BE FOUND.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 7:51-54

Mass: Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Resp. Psalm 147; 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39

Sr Godelieve on her daily walk

From an early age I developed an affinity for ‘older’ people. This may be due to being the youngest in a large family; one constantly exposed to ‘older than I’ people—the environment in which I grew up; an experience for which I am grateful. Our neighborhood, too, was abuzz with small people and big people in the mix. ‘Older’ people were constantly coming and going in our house, including friends of my parents (most of whom would be in their 90s by now). I was always in their midst and learned how to respect my parents’ friends; how to ‘behave’ (not sure I was so successful at this) in their presence and address them appropriately. When I think of these women and men, I still call them Mr and Mrs so and so. I still recall by name all the women in my mom’s Bridge Club! As a result, I have never really thought of these people as ‘old’ per se. They are simply men and women whom I came to love. In fact, to this day, when I return to my hometown to visit my sibs, I stay with the parents of a sister-in-law. I’ve known them forever it seems—they are always happy to see me. I like to hang out with them so to speak, and they humor me by letting me mow the lawn, or go out to “Pete’s” with their friends on Friday night. They are dear—I love them. 

When I entered the monastery 18 years ago, I was immediately drawn to the older sisters. As I look back, my best friends in community have always been the elders. Adding to my affinity for the elders was a special reverence for the infirmed. Immediately after I made my First Monastic Profession, the Prioress told to go the Infirmary to receive a blessing from the sisters there. It became customary for me, then, upon returning from a trip to make the Infirmary my first stop. What a gift for me to be welcomed by ‘my people’ as I like to call them. Hanging out in the infirmary became a favorite pastime. This was even extended to the Nursing Center next to the monastery. Being with the folks on ‘Memory Lane’ is something I sorely miss.

Now I am gifted with the opportunity to wake the eldest in our community from her nightly slumber. She happens to be 94 years old—sharp in mind, a lifelong learner, a delight. She goes with and eggs on my playfulness upon first waking. More often than not, we are giggling sooner rather than later. It may be her speaking in French, or telling me about her dream, or my customary, ‘How did you sleep?’.

This brings me to today’s Gospel account of Jesus loving the infirmed. Jesus was a young man with an obvious affinity for the infirmed, many of whom were likely older than he. He touched them, laughed with them, loved them unconditionally. The infirmed are His people. Jesus sees these people not as untouchables, or those to ‘put up with’, or scream at because they ‘can’t remember’ or ‘can’t hear’. Jesus sees them as sheep without a shepherd; sheep who crave love and affection. Come to think of it, we are those sheep who crave love. All of us. I am reminded of words from Pope Benedict XVI, already included in the post of December 9, 2017: ‘Seeing with the eyes of Christ, I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love which they crave’ (Encyclical Letter Deus Caritas Est, 18). The people gathered at the door of Jesus; they pursued Him wherever He went; His people found Him! We may or may not find ourselves with physical infirmities such as fevers, aches and pains, lameness, terminal illness, leprosy, or the like. What all of us find ourselves with are spiritual and emotional infirmities such as depression, isolation, neglect, loneliness—all wounds of one kind or the other. What is important to remember, no matter our condition, is: We are ‘Jesus’ kind of people—young and old alike. He waits to embrace us; grasp our hand; help us up; give us the look of love we crave; heal our wounds, Indeed, ‘Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.’ ALLELUIA.

Jesus wants us to be found by those who look for Him.

But to look for Him we have to get up and go out.

(Pope Francis, Tweet, February 4, 2018)

Saint Blaise (d. 316); Saint Ansgar (d. 865); Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings if the day: RB 7:49-50

Mass: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Resp. Psalm 119; Mark 6:30-34

A life of faith means wanting to be with the Lord,

and that means constantly searching for him wherever he is.

(Pope Francis, Tweet, Feb. 4, 2018)

Jesus and the Apostles go off for R & R so to speak, to a deserted place. Vast numbers of people continued to come and go; so many people that Jesus and Co. had no opportunity to take nourishment. Not to be fooled, the people didn’t miss a beat. Missing the boat, though,

They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

Not to be daunted, the faithful continued searching for the Lord wherever he went.

JESUS WAITS FOR US.

HIS HEART IS MOVED WITH PITY.

HE TEACHES US.

I BELIEVE, HELP MY UNBELIEF!

The Presentation of the Lord; First Friday of the Month

Readings of the day: RB 7:44-48

Mass: Malachi 3:1-4; Resp. Psalm 24; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?

The LORD whom you seek

The messenger of the covenant

A merciful and faithful high priest

A light of revelation to the Gentiles

Glory for your people Israel

The child Jesus

destined for the fall and rise of many

a sign that will be contradicted

The child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel

who grew and became strong

filled with wisdom

The favor of God was upon him

IT IS THE LORD!

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 7:35-43

Mass: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; Resp. Psalm (1 Chr 29); Mark 6:7-13

From today’s readings, two texts, rich in simplicity and depth of meaning:

Be steadfast in your heart and trust in the Lord.

(RB 7:37/Ps 27:14)

Grant us, Lord our God,

that we may honor you with all our mind,

and love everyone in truth of heart.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever.

(Collect, Mass)

With words from Pope Francis:

A faith that does not trouble us is a troubled faith.

A faith that does not make us grow is a faith that needs to grow.

(Tweet, Feb. 1, 2018)

That those who have material, political, or

spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.

(Prayer intention for February 2018)