Daily Scripture, January 24, 2019
Scripture:
Reflection:
Today we celebrate the feast of St Francis de Sales who died in 1622 at age of 55. Many years ago I made a special effort to visit his tomb in the Presentation Sisters’ convent on Lake Annecy. His remains rest near St Jane de Chantel. St Jane with Francis was the Foundress of the Presentation Sisters
During his years as bishop, Francis acquired a reputation as a spellbinding preacher and something of an ascetic. His motto was, “He who preaches with love, preaches effectively.” One of his main efforts was to teach ordinary folks how to pray in their busy lives. His life and teachings influenced St Paul of the Cross. I love among his many quotable sayings: “Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.”
Today’s Gospel relates how “A large number of people followed Jesus from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.”
In the Greek inspired Text striking words of closeness to Jesus by the Jews and Gentiles are used! Words like thlibō which means crushed or “squash” or “hem in”. That’s close! Another word is epipiptō; which means fall upon, gripped, pressed around! I am sure most of these folks were common ordinary people who probably were not the intelligentsia of the day but were given the wisdom of the Gospel which is “to come to Me all you who are weary and overburdened and I will refresh you”. Mt 11:28
This kind of healing closeness to Christ is caused by faith filled prayer! A prayer that is a close relationship with Christ. Pope Francis said it so well: “Our relationship with Christ, that is the primary thing: all else is secondary.”
Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.
Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Scripture: 1 John 3:7-10 John 1:35-42 Reflection: “…Come and see…” Today’s Christmas Season Gospel selection from St. John’s Gospel features John the Baptist and two of his disciples meeting Jesus as He walked by. This roadside encounter led to » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 2:29-3:6 John 1:29-34 Reflection: “The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted Him He gave power to become the children of God.” ~John 1:14a, 12a This is such good news to me! We don’t have to » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 2:22-28 John 1:19-28 Reflection: At our deepest levels most people are searching for belonging, meaning and authenticity. These three words, at least for me, go a long way towards summing up the human journey in life (and especially the journey into self). » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 Reflection: Several celebrations crowd in on this day. It is New Year’s Day 2019. It is the octave of Christmas. It is the beautiful feast celebrating Mary as the Mother of God. (It is also my birthday but » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 2:18-21 John 1:1-18 Reflection: Do you remember Christmas? I know… seems so very long ago. Even more shocking, do you remember Advent? So much has happened since we first heard the cry of the Prophet, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make » Continue Reading.
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Scripture: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Colossians 3:12-21 Luke 2:41-52 Reflection: In the Catholic Church we have this beautiful sacrament called Reconciliation. People come to a priest to confess what they have done wrong. I have a suggestion. Why not have » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 2:-11 Luke 2:22-35 Reflection: “. . . for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.” ~1 John 2:8 In 1935 the play Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot, was published. The play focuses on the story of » Continue Reading.
Feast of the Holy Innocents Scripture: 1 John 1:5-2:2 Matthew 2:13-18 Reflection: From the Collect for the Holy Innocents Episcopal. We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, in to the arms of your » Continue Reading.
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4 John 20:1a, 2-8 Reflection: The apostle John loved proclaiming the good news. He wanted others to see what he had seen and touch what he had touched. He wanted to share both the words » Continue Reading.
Feast of St. Stephen Scripture: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Matthew 10:17-22 Reflection: Today is the feast of St. Stephen the Martyr, whose death by stoning is gruesomely retold in the first reading from Acts of the Apostles. This story stands in stark contrast to the readings » Continue Reading.