Agent of Hope

Readings for Monday January 31, 2011

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

First Reading: Hebrews 11:32-40
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31
Gospel: Mark 5:1-20


And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed. (Mk 5:14-20)

In today's gospel we see Jesus cures a man who was possessed by a demon. Jesus came, and sent the demon away into the swine, and when everyone came out to see what was happening, they saw the man who was once possessed and unfit for society sitting perfectly still and in his right mind. We see once again Jesus bringing healing to someone in need, bringing hope to those who had none. It is no wonder that they man wanted to stay with the one who brought hope into his life.

Today, we also celebrate the feast day of Saint John Bosco, someone who followed Jesus' example of bringing hope into others life. John Bosco spent a great deal of his time working with young boys, many of whom people thought unfit for society ... much like the man in today's gospel. But Saint John Bosco, didn't see an unruly boy, he saw a child of God. That is why John Bosco worked tirelessly as an agent of hope, bringing the love of Christ and the hope that can only be found in Him to these boys who were so desperately in need of hope in their life.

We too must accept this calling of being "agents of hope" in this world. We were given a call to spread the gospel message throughout this world, that means bringing the hope of Christ to all those who cross our path. We, like Saint John Bosco, can be agents of hope in this world, all it takes is a simple "yes" to the Lord.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, we praise you and thank you for all that you have blessed us with. Help us to be good stewards of all that you put in our lives, help us to have a spirit of confidence to share the hope that only you can bring into this world. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Simple, Little Thing

Readings for Friday January 30, 2011

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church

First Reading: Hebrews 10:32-39
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 37
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” (Mk 4:30-32)

In today's gospel, Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. When it starts out it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it is fully grown it is one of the largest of all the trees. We are also reminded that this does not happen by anything that the person planting it does, it grows by its own accord.

Like the Kingdom of God, it starts off small, and then grows into something very big. We must ask ourselves too if we have Jesus in us, are we saying yes to Him and allowing Him to grow in us? Jesus tells us that some of the littlest and simplest things can turn into great and mighty things. Imagine how our lives can change by letting Christ work in us. A little, simple yes to God can mean amazing things for us and the world. Mary's humble yes brought Christ into our world in the flesh. The yes of Christ led to His death, crucifixion, and resurrection, and ultimately the forgiveness of our sins. The yes by us can lead to an eternity in heaven with God.
Brothers and sisters, may we always be among those who say yes to God, and may this simple little things turn into something mighty and amazing. Let us remember today's words by Saint Paul; "We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life."

Come, Holy Spirit
Come, holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Stand Together

Readings for Thursday January 27, 2011

First Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24
Gospel: Mark 4:21-25


Brothers and sisters: Since through the Blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,” let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Heb. 10:19-25)

In high school, one of my projects was to make a miniature bridge that needed to withstand a lot of weight. Our teacher showed us that the wood that we were using was not very strong each piece by itself, in fact it could be easily broken. But when they were put together and arranged in good patterns, they were able to withstand a great deal of weight and pressure.

I believe that it is because of this principle that the author of Hebrews tells us that "we should not stay away from the assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another." We must remember that we are the bod of Christ, and when all parts of the body are strong and working right, then the body is strong; but when parts of missing or weak, then the body hurts. We must remember that our actions do not just affect us, but the entire body. This is why we must heed these words and "consider how to rouse one another to love and good works."

When we stand by ourselves, we are weak and can be broken. When we stand together with Christ, nothing can break us.

Father above, we thank you for this day. We thank you for the many blessings and gifts that you bestow on us ever day. Lord, we are your people may we live for you all of our days, and serve you without growing weary. Lord, we pray for all those who are suffering in this world and all those who are in need of healing. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Good Soil

Readings for Wednesday January 26, 2011

Memorial of Saint Timothy and Saint Titus, bishops

First Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96
Gospel: Mark 4:1-20


“Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” (Mk 4:3-9)

Today Jesus tells us the parable of the seed sower. He describes how some seeds fell on the path and were eaten up, others fell on the rocky ground but were scorched by the sun because of lack of root. Some also fell amongst the thorns and could not grow, and the last seeds fell on good soil and produced a great deal of good fruit. I pray that we all can embrace God's love and mercy to stay in the "good soil" where we can thrive in this life, instead of just survive.

Throughout history, we have many great examples of men and women who have sought to do God's will and have surrendered to Him. Many of these men and women would be considered as being brought up in the "good soil" and produced much fruit in their lives. Today we remember and honor two of these great men, Saint Timothy and Saint Titus. Both of these men were bishops in the early Church, and each one was very dear to Saint Paul. It is clear from his opening letters to them that they were men of faith, men who could be trusted to spread the good news to all they came into contact with; men who were not afraid to help others be in the "good soil" and live fruitful lives. We should look follow their example of serving God and others very closely, so that our lives may too produce good fruit.

May we all continue to seek God with our hearts and to persevere through the temptations of this world. Saints Timothy and Titus, pray for us!

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. May we seek to strive and do your will each day in our lives. Lord, protect us from this world, and strengthen us in this fight for truth that we are in. Lord, we pray for all those who are seeking you, may they be brought to your love and mercy. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Covenant

Readings for Friday January 21, 2011

Memorial of Saint Agnes, virgin and martyr

First Reading: Hebrews 8:6-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85
Gospel: Mark 3:13-19


For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second one. But he finds fault with them and says: Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they did not stand by my covenant and I ignored them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds and I will write them upon their hearts. I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his fellow citizen and kin, saying, “Know the Lord,” for all shall know me, from least to greatest. For I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sins no more. (Heb. 8:7-12)

In the old testament, God made several covenants with His people Israel. In each of these covenants, God made promises to the people if the people would be faithful and keep His commandments. Unfortunately, even with God's extensive patience, the people would not stay faithful. A covenant is an agreement between two people or two groups. In a covenant, each group agrees to abide by certain terms and to hold up their end of the deal. Being in a covenant involves an active part from both groups, it means that you have to be involved and make good on your part. God kept His part of the covenant, but the people did not.

In today's first reading Saint Paul tells us too that we are in covenant with the Lord. We are in the new and better covenant which is through Christ our Lord. We can see that in the gospel of Mark today that Jesus picks each of His disciples and asks them to follow Him. Like the disciples, we are also called ... we are called into covenant with our Lord. Christ came to offer us everlasting life, He calls us into this covenant and He tells us that if we are willing to follow Him and to let "the law be written on our hearts" that we can one day join Him in heaven. I don't know about you, but that sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me!

Remember, God is calling each of us into covenant with Him, but this is not merely a simple contract; this is a promise made by us and God, and it requires active participation and complete surrender to Him. Remember, God will keep up His end, will we keep up ours?

"Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." (Luke 22:19-20)

Father thank you for this day. Give us the strength and courage to serve you this day and all days. Lord we pray for all lives in our world, both born and unborn, and pray that our world might all come to value life. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dangers of Pride

Readings for Wednesday January 19, 2011

First Reading: Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 110
Gospel: Mark 3:1-6


Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. (Mk 3:1-6)

Isn't it just amazing what pride can do? Pride can lead us into being so wrapped up in only ourselves that we are blinded by anything that is good. Take today's gospel for example; the pharisees and scribes stood around and watched Jesus closely. Why? To see a miracle happen? To witness a great act of compassion and mercy? No, they watched so that they could satisfy their pride, so that they could have something to hold against Him. They were so self centered that they couldn't see anything else.

Pride can lead us also to be blinded to God's love and mercy. It is something that prevents us from being the men and women that we were truly created to be. Giving in to our pride may make us feel good for a moment, but those moments quickly pass and we never experience that true joy and peace that can only come with love and humility. You see, love and humility are the antidotes to pride. When we are struggling with pride in our lives, that is when we should pray for an increase in the virtues of love and humility. These virtues are the way of God, the ways that will open our eyes and soften our hearts. To see a great example of someone who so perfectly displayed the virtues of love and humility, let us look to Mary, our Blessed Mother. Her earthly life was grounded in these two virtues, and no one on earth more perfectly displayed them more than her. Let us pray that we too can embody these great virtues as she did, and that Mary will lead us closer to her Son, who is love.

Mother Mary, pray for us!

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Negativity

Readings for Tuesday January 18, 2011

First Reading: Hebrews 6:10-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111
Gospel: Mark 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mk 2:23-28)

Pessimists, "nay-sayers", and "negative nancies." These are the people who always point out your faults, only look at what you do wrong, and look at the glass as being "half empty." I am sure that these words are making each of us think of people in our lives who fit this description. We see in today's gospel that Jesus and His disciples had their own fair share of pessimists and negative nancies. It was the sabbath, and the disciples of Jesus began picking the heads of grain in order to get some food and nourishment. Of course, since it was unlawful to work on the sabbath, the pharisees jumped all over Jesus and His disciples. The scribes and pharisees took every opportunity to point out what Jesus was doing wrong and to try to trap Him in something that He said. They were always trying to find fault in Him, instead of opening their eyes to what He was offering and opening their ears to what He was saying.

The disciples however, took a different approach. They listened to Jesus, they saw that He offered something more, even if they didn't fully understand it, something in their hearts screamed "follow Him!" Even though they had the "nay-sayers" all around them, they clung to their master who gave them comfort and protection. The disciples chose wisely when they chose to follow Christ, even on the sabbath.

While it is easy for us to judge the pharisees in this reading as being blind to who Jesus was and what He offered, perhaps we should take this example as a time to look at ourselves. How often are we blind to Jesus in our own lives? How often to we let rules or responsibilities distract us away from where our Saviour is leading us? How often do we succumb to the pressure of the pessimists and "nay-sayers" in our lives who seek make us doubt and to pull us away from Christ?

May we be granted ears that are deaf to the world, and open to God.

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. We thank you and give you praise for your love and mercy. Lord, may we not fear this world, but only fear a life without you. Give us the strength and courage to persevere in this life, so that we may better serve you in this world. Lord, we pray for our culture, we pray that all might value life and human dignity in our world. we ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.