Month: January 2020

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Here I am Lord

Silhouette of woman with arms outstretched looking into the sunrise

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Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
Responsorial: Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Gospel: John 1:29-34

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011920.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

My brothers and sisters, today’s readings remind us that we are called. In our first reading, Isaiah was called to serve the Lord as His prophet. In the second reading, Paul was called to serve the Lord as His apostle. The person whose coming Isaiah was called to proclaim and whom Paul was sent to preach about is Jesus Christ. In today’s Gospel, we hear that Jesus was called to be the Savior of humanity.

Like Isaiah and Paul, we disciples are called to serve through Christ Jesus. Remember, being a disciple means accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, wanting to deepen our relationship with Jesus, and to go out into the world to bring the Good News to everyone we encounter – what Pope Francis calls being a missionary disciple. So, today’s readings remind us of our call rooted in our baptism.

Now this doesn’t mean that we all need to set out to become full time or part time missionaries in a foreign country. We may not all be physically capable of that sort of challenge. Nonetheless, we are called to serve in whatever capacity we can no matter whether we are 7 or 70! There are a myriad of ways that we can use our gifts, talents and resources to help advance the mission of Jesus Christ – to continue on our individual journeys to the Father and to reach out to those who have not heard or not accepted the Good News of Jesus Christ.

How is this possible? How is it that Jesus wants to use a person like me to reach out to other people? Through this beautiful church that Jesus established, he blesses us with the sacraments, and the sacraments equip us with God’s grace to help us, to heal us, to strengthen us so that we have the confidence to reach out to others – so that we can be a light of Christ for the nations.

I realize that might sound like a tall order, and you might be thinking to yourself, “Who, me?” But by our baptism, we are all called. The council fathers wrote, “All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity,” (Lumen Gentium, §40).

We are not called to be pew potatoes or pew warmers – no! We are all called to serve and that begins with the people closest to us, like our family and friends, and to those we encounter each and every day. Yes, for some of us, this might be a great challenge, but that’s what it means to be disciples – that’s what it means to be saints.

“Ok now deacon, slow your roll! Who are you calling a saint?” You and me. Well, if not saints, then we are saints in training. Look, Oscar Wilde once wrote, “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” So, it doesn’t matter where you’ve come from or what you’ve done. What matters is your baptism – your being redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ – and your willingness to confess your sins and allow yourself to be healed.

All it takes is your “yes”. You see, God will never force Himself on you. So, you – each of us needs to say “yes” and cooperate in God’s plan present in the mission of His Church – to save souls and to build up the Kingdom of God. Are you ready? Then repeat after me: Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will.

Homework! After being nourished by His Word and His real and divine presence in the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions this week:

  1. In the Gospel we read, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” What sins do I need to ask God to forgive in his mercy? How am I open to God’s grace working in me to take away sin?
  2. We also read, “A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.” What prejudices or biases do I bring to my interactions with others? How can I more intentionally see Christ in those I meet?

I think that doing our homework will help us as disciples reach out to a dark world that desperately needs to hear a message of hope. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:

  1. Hoisington, Thomas. “2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – January 19, 2020.” Homiletic & Pastoral Review, January 2020. Accessed 11 January 2020.
  2. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  3. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
  4. Montague, George T., SM. First Corinthians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.

Catechism Links: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Jesus, only Son of God, 441-45
  2. Jesus’ baptism, 535-37, 1223-25
  3. All called to holiness, 542-43, 2013-14
  4. Lamb of God, 608
  5. Christ’s death as the definitive sacrifice, 613-14
  6. Holiness of the Church, 825
  7. One, holy, Catholic and apostolic church, 811-70
  8. Union with Christ, 1694

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 64
Mass Readings
First Reading
Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
The LORD said to me: You are my servant,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.
Now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

Responsorial
Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
R/ (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Second Reading
1 COR 1:1-3
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and Sosthenes our brother,
to the church of God that is in Corinth,
to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy,
with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia
John 1:14A, 12A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him,
he gave power to become children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

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The Baptism of the Lord

copy of painting of Jesus emerging from the baptismal water with arms out like hanging on the cross and a dove descending

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The Baptism of the Lord (Feast) Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Responsorial: Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10
Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38
Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011220.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Today as the Christmas season comes to a close, we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. We learn in Scripture that Jesus presents himself to John. And the baptism of Jesus begins his public ministry. Now, Jesus is without sin, so he doesn’t need to be baptized by John. Indeed, John tells him as much. Through Matthew’s account which, by the way, is the only place in Scripture where we find this dialogue between John and Jesus; we get some insight into these two cousins. I suggest to you to that reflecting just on the dialogue between John and Jesus can be a powerful experience. If you are interested in the prayerful practice of lectio divina, then I encourage you to spend some time with this particular dialogue in prayer.

Of course, the Baptism of the Lord reveals so much, and I’m sure you’ve received some excellent insights during the homily proclaimed at mass. So, in my reflection, I’d like to share what the Church teaches about the responsibility of living out a life of the baptized disciple of Jesus Christ.

Now Jesus did not need to be baptized. But he willingly enters the water as a sign of being united to the sinful people of Israel. He unites himself with sinners and gives us a clue to how he will bear the sins of the people when his mission comes to a climax on that scandalous cross. He inaugurates his ministry by stepping into the place of the sinner.

What does Jesus do next? It’s not a fair question because what happens next is not part of today’s reading, but come one, what happens next?

Does Jesus retire to some sacred place, the Temple perhaps, to pray and meditate twenty-four seven? No, Jesus is ready to proclaim the Good News, and he goes out into the world. Jesus doesn’t wait for the nations of the world to come to him; he goes out to the nations.

He goes out to “bring forth justice to the nations,” (Isaiah 42:1). Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus travels all over Palestine to “open the eyes of the blind, … bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness,” (Isaiah 42:7).

From the moment of his baptism, Jesus has been going out into the world. But he doesn’t do it alone. First, he goes out. Then he calls and send out Peter and Paul and the other apostles, and indeed other disciples like the 72 we read about in Luke 10:1-23. And now, my brothers and sisters, Jesus is sending you – each and every one of us who have been baptized according to our skills and abilities.

Now he doesn’t send you out alone. No! Jesus comes to you and he comes to me every day to fill us with the same Spirit that filled him at baptism. But there’s a catch. We need to be open to receiving Jesus every day.

You see, our baptism – our salvation – destines us to be united with God in heaven. And indeed, our baptism marks us with the seal of the Lord. But the Gospel does not teach that once saved, always saved. Our salvation, which is freely given, depends, as Scripture and St. Paul so often tell us, on our perseverance – our living and dying with Christ, (see Romans 6:8-13, 17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:11, Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:20; Philippians 1:21; 2 Timothy 2:11, to name a few).

Part of what that means is that every day, you and I have a choice. Do we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior? Or will we today give into the luxuries and temptations this world has to offer? You see, if we believe – if we really believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, then that should affect the way we live our lives each and every day. We sacrifice some of the comforts this world offers so that we, following the example of Jesus, Peter, Paul, the apostles and the first disciples, reach out to those who cannot come to church, those who do not come to church and those who will not come to church.

We reach out and share with the them the Good News of Jesus Christ! And how do we do that? By following Jesus’ example. We don’t hit them with the Bible or call them to repent. That might work for some, but for most people, following Jesus’ example, we need to meet people where they are. That’s how we start. Now, this might be the person working the cash register when you go to buy a cup of coffee on your way to work. It could be one of your coworkers who seems overly curious about what you do in church. And it could be the people you encounter if Jesus calls you to go out on a mission trip. As we begin each day, we should rise with joy and profess, “Here I am, Lord! Send me to share Your Good News!”

My brothers and sisters, the Baptism of the Lord that we remember today challenges each and every one of us. Are we living lives of the baptized? That’s a good question, and that leads us to homework! After being nourished by Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two challenges this week.

  1. First, what does it mean to believe in a God that is not you? What does it mean to believe in your own holiness and goodness?
  2. Second, ask the Holy Spirit to settle on you, to give you courage and strength to share your faith with those you encounter.

I think doing our homework will help us strengthen our lives of as baptized disciples of Christ Jesus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Then go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image credit: Baptism of the Christ #2 – Daniel Bonnell www.bonnellart.com (USA/Contemporary)

References:

  1. Himes, Michael. The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism. Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2004.
  2. Hoisington, Thomas. “Baptism of the Lord – January 12, 2020.” Homiletic & Pastoral Review, January 2020. Accessed 11 January 2020. https://www.hprweb.com/2019/12/homilies-for-january-2020/.
  3. Kurz, William S. SJ. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
  4. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  5. Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.

Catechism Links: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Jesus’ baptism, 535-36, 1223-24
  2. The dove, 701
  3. Seal of the Lord, 1272-74
  4. Confirmation, 1286
  5. Christ as beloved Son, 444
  6. Christ as servant, 713
  7. Salvation outside the Church, 776, 846-48
  8. Jesus anointed by the Spirit, 438, 486
  9. Judge of the living and the dead, 678-79

Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011220.cfm
First Reading Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
upon whom I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
a bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Responsorial
Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
R/ (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Second Reading
Acts 10:34-38
Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
in the house of Cornelius, saying:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the Israelites
as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.”

Alleluia
Mark 9:7
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan
to be baptized by him.
John tried to prevent him, saying,
“I need to be baptized by you,
and yet you are coming to me?”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us
to fulfill all righteousness.”
Then he allowed him.
After Jesus was baptized,
he came up from the water and behold,
the heavens were opened for him,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
and coming upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, saying,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

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Gifts of the Magi

Scene of the magi presenting gifts to the newborn Jesus

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The Epiphany of the Lord Mass Readings
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010520.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Thank you for joining me today on Epiphany for another episode of deacon rudy’s notes. Just a reminder, we in the countdown to launch our new installments on Wednesdays called “All Things Catholic,” where together we will explore our faith and try to understand what it means to be Catholic. Don’t forget to send me your suggestions by clicking the comment form on the website www.deaconrudysnotes.org or by sending me an email to rudy@deaconrudysnotes.org.

This weekend we celebrate Epiphany, when the wise men presented their gifts to Jesus. These wise men, who were not Jewish, presented gifts for a king: gold, frankincense and myrrh. So, the first thing we can observe about the arrival of the Magi is that they affirm that Jesus came to save everyone – not just the Chosen.

But what do the gifts of the Magi mean for us today?

Well, I believe the second observation we can make about today’s readings is that Jesus is not king in response to our gifts. He came to humanity first, and in response we present our gifts to Him. That’s a very important point in understanding our faith. Whatever we do or offer is in response to the unmerited gift of God’s mercy and love.

I think the readings today challenge us to offer Jesus Christ our gifts just like the Magi. That’s the third observation today. But how do we do that? By following Jesus’ example. Jesus offered Himself for our salvation. So too, we can offer ourselves as a form of praise and worship. But how?

There are at least two ways that we can offer ourselves as gifts to the Lord.

First, we need to remember that Jesus established His church on earth. That church, whose mission it is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, needs our talents and our financial contributions. So, we sacrifice time to volunteer to share our talents with the community. But our churches have to keep the lights on; they need to keep the heat running and staff to serve our communities. That means we need to sacrificially give of the financial blessings we’ve received to help the church in its mission.

But wait – there’s more! We can’t just phone-in our discipleship. Jesus left us two great commandments. We are to, “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and we need to, “…love our neighbor as yourself,” (Matthew 22:37-39).

And who is our neighbor?

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells us that everyone – everyone is our neighbor (see Luke 10:29-37). So, the second way that we offer ourselves as gifts is to reach out to those around us, like our family and friends, and every single person we encounter with love and compassion.

That has real implications for our everyday lives. We present our gifts in praise and worship to Jesus when we treat other people with dignity and respect (which are ways that we can show love). This can create opportunities for an encounter with Jesus Christ. We present empty gifts to Jesus when we do the opposite, that can actually lead people away from Jesus.

That means that when we treat other people like they don’t matter, especially people we disagree with like in politics, then we turn our backs on Jesus.

When we discriminate against someone because they don’t look or sound like us or because they are an immigrant (legal or illegal), we turn our back on Jesus.

When we discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation, we turn our back on Jesus.

When we hoard possessions and fail to share with others who are less fortunate, we turn our back on Jesus.

Jesus teaches us time and again that our call is to reach out and meet people where they are, not to render judgment and scorn people. The gifts of the Magi challenge us to consider the gifts we bring to Jesus. That leads us to our HOMEWORK! Having been nourished by the Eucharist and in the Word of God proclaimed, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions this week.

  1. The Magi presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. How do I share my gifts with those in need?
  2. The Magi asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” How can I help others encounter Christ?

I think doing our homework this week will help us grow in discipleship of Christ Jesus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!

References:

  1. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  2. Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.
  3. Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.

Catechism Links: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Epiphany, 528
  2. Holy Spirit manifesting Christ through Mary, 724
  3. The Father reveals the mystery by sending Christ, 50
  4. The Apostolic Tradition, 75-76
  5. A new People of God not based on physical descent, 781-82

Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010520.cfm
First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Responsorial
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.
R. (cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Second Reading
Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6
Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
It was not made known to people in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Alleluia
Matthew 2:2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
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.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.