Mass Readings and Meditations “The Word among Us” Sunday, 26 January 2014

Mass Readings and Meditations “The Word among Us” Sunday, 26 January 2014

Meditations: 1 Corinthians 1:  Divisions in the Church

10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.[b] 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Footnotes:

a. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Gk brothers

b. 1 Corinthians 1:11 Gk my brothers

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

I urge … that you be united. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

The Corinthian church was out of control. Some members were visiting prostitutes. One was even having an affair with his stepmother! They were taking each other to court. Some were abusing the Lord’s Supper. Others did not believe in the resurrection. No matter where you looked, there were signs of division and discord.

Are there divisions in your home? If so, take heart, because Jesus wants to help you resolve them. Look at the way Paul responded to the Corinthians’ chaotic situation. Before he addressed any specific issues, he thanked God for all the blessings they had received. “God is faithful,” he wrote. “He will keep you firm to the end” (1 Corinthians 1:9, 8).

Paul didn’t panic. He knew the Corinthians were in God’s hands. Confident in that knowledge, he addressed their challenges one by one, patiently and carefully.

This is a model for our families. Even if your home appears to be out of control, always remember that the Lord is present with you. He is always pouring his blessings on you, always offering grace for healing and reconciliation.

So bless your home every day. Use holy water if you can. Set the tone for the rest of your family. Try to practice forgiveness at every opportunity. Without forgiveness, division gains the upper hand and can cause deep wounds. But with forgiveness, the divisions caused by all kinds of sin can be disarmed. Judgments can stop; wounds can be healed.

Not only does forgiveness resolve the specific division; it can also help heal divisive behavior in general so that there is more unity. And with more unity comes more love.

So let’s make it our goal to practice forgiveness. Let’s ask Jesus to heal all divisions!

“Lord, I consecrate my home to you. Come, Holy Spirit, and teach us how to forgive one another.” Amen!

Isaiah 8: The Promise of Salvation Under a New Davidic King.*

23 There is no gloom where there had been distress. Where once he degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, now he has glorified the way of the Sea, the land across the Jordan, Galilee of the Nations.*

9: [a] But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 [b] The people who walked in darkness

    have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

    on them light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation,

    you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

    as with joy at the harvest,

    as people exult when dividing plunder.

Footnotes:

a. Isaiah 9:1 Ch 8.23 in Heb

b. Isaiah 9:2 Ch 9.1 in Heb

Psalm 27: Triumphant Song of Confidence

Of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;

    of whom shall I be afraid?

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 27:1 Or refuge

4 One thing I asked of the Lord,

    that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord,

    and to inquire in his temple.

13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord

    in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord;

    be strong, and let your heart take courage;

    wait for the Lord!

Matthew 4: Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

12 Now when Jesus[a] heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,

    on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

16 the people who sat in darkness

    have seen a great light,

and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death

    light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”[b]

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People

23 Jesus[c] went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news[d] of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Footnotes:

a. Matthew 4:12 Gk he

b. Matthew 4:17 Or is at hand

c. Matthew 4:23 Gk He

d. Matthew 4:23 Gk gospel

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:

[Isaiah 8: The Promise of Salvation Under a New Davidic King.*

23 There is no gloom where there had been distress. Where once he degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, now he has glorified the way of the Sea, the land across the Jordan, Galilee of the Nations.*

9: [a] But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 [b] The people who walked in darkness

    have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

    on them light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation,

    you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

    as with joy at the harvest,

    as people exult when dividing plunder.

Footnotes:

a. Isaiah 9:1 Ch 8.23 in Heb

b. Isaiah 9:2 Ch 9.1 in Heb

Psalm 27: Triumphant Song of Confidence

Of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;

    of whom shall I be afraid?

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 27:1 Or refuge

4 One thing I asked of the Lord,

    that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord,

    and to inquire in his temple.

13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord

    in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord;

    be strong, and let your heart take courage;

    wait for the Lord!

1 Corinthians 1:  Divisions in the Church

10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.[b] 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Footnotes:

a. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Gk brothers

b. 1 Corinthians 1:11 Gk my brothers

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

Matthew 4: Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

12 Now when Jesus[a] heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,

    on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

16 the people who sat in darkness

    have seen a great light,

and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death

    light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”[b]

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People

23 Jesus[c] went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news[d] of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Footnotes:

a. Matthew 4:12 Gk he

b. Matthew 4:17 Or is at hand

c. Matthew 4:23 Gk He

d. Matthew 4:23 Gk gospel]

1. In the first reading, Isaiah speaks of the great promise we have been given of “abundant joy” and “great rejoicing”. This is a promise for each one of us, for in Christ the “yoke” that has “burdened” us has been “smashed.” Does your Christian witness reflect this great joy that you have received, even during difficult times? How can you make your life a greater reflection of it?

2. In the Responsorial, Psalm 27 reflects these promises as well by telling us that we shall “see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living,” not just when we get to heaven. And this will occur when we “gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple.” What does this mean to you? What role does your prayer and Scripture reading play in this?

3. In the second reading, St. Paul urged that Christian brothers and sisters in the church at Corinth overcome their many “rivalries,” and be united in Christ and have no divisions. How can you help build greater unity within your parish?

4. During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, what steps can you take individually, and together, to promote Christian unity with non-Catholic Christians? Why not spend time this week praying for Christian unity.

5. In the Gospel, Jesus begins his preaching with the word “repent”. Did you spend any time during the previous week reflecting on, and repenting of any sins you may have committed (what you have done or omitted doing)? How important is it for you to have a regularly scheduled examination of conscience, for example, as part of your daily prayer life? How important should it be?

6. In the Gospel, we are also told that when called by the Lord the disciples responded “immediately,” and left everything to follow him. What are some of the obstacles that can keep you from responding immediately when the Lord calls you or reveals his will to you? What steps can you take, with the Lord, to overcome them?

7. In the meditation, we hear ends these words: “Not only does forgiveness resolve the specific division; it can also help heal divisive behavior in general so that there is more unity. And with more unity comes more love.” Do you believe this? Why or why not? The meditation then ends with these words: “So let’s make it our goal to practice forgiveness. Let’s ask Jesus to heal all divisions!” We are called to forgive one another as God has forgiven us. Is there someone in your family (or outside of it) that needs to experience your forgiveness?. Are you willing to gift them this freeing gift of forgiveness?

8. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord to bring healing and reconciliation to your family through the gift of forgiveness. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as a starting point.

“Lord, I consecrate my home to you. Come, Holy Spirit, and teach us how to forgive one another.” Amen!

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