Short and Sweet Headlines are Best!
January 19, 2025
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 62: 1-5
Psalm 96
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
John 2: 1-11
STEWARDSHIP
The Joy and Levity of a Lifelong Relationship
A lifelong relationship with the Lord is like the Joy and Levity of a Wedding Feast. In the Gospel story, at the direction of His mother Mary, Jesus provides way beyond what was needed for a fine wedding feast. Moreover, what was served up was irrational! That was how good the provisions the Lord provided were. It was noted, “But you kept the good wine until now.”
The story of the wedding feast (Gospel) points to an age of abundance. Such comes with a committed relationship with God! The best of everything in life that is fulfilling will come to be. The Grace and Goodness that comes are exuberant just as the joy and levity of a wedding feast that celebrates a new lifelong relationship. But a relationship that is found in the Lord is even beyond the joy of a new marriage with all its hopes and dreams.
God provides an abundance of gifts distributed among the many members of the community of faith. Each member has his or her own talent. Each talented person edifies the whole community. This shared distribution of wealth illustrates God’s love and God’s life manifested in His community of faith which is the Church. Saint Paul makes this clear in his letter to the Corinthians.
Speaking of all the gifts God gives to the community of faith, Paul states, “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” In the Old Testament reading (Is. 62) the prophet Isaiah speaks to this gracious relationship similarly.
Saint Paul points out the Lord greatly wants to celebrate His relationship as one would have in a joyous wedding reception. The future of the relationship is full of great promise. All things will be bright when a relationship is based in a firm, reliable commitment. There is a new life to look forward to. But hopes and dreams may be fleeting. The hard work of commitment is needed in every relationship that is attempted in life.
Jesus gives us the supreme example of commitment. He is so bound to His love for the Father and the Father’s love for Him that He dies for the relationship. He does not give into a fleeting earth bound or transient infatuation. From the start of His ministry, Jesus rejects the devil’s offer of an earthly kingdom. “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdomsof the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan!’” (Matthew 4: 8-11)
So friends, do you have a commitment in life? What is that commitment? What is it based in? Is it a lifelong relationship?
Make a commitment to the Lord God. Start a relationship with God. To begin, simply say this prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner.” Go ahead, say it several times over. Simply begin the relationship with that phrase. Say it over and over every day. And watch for it. The Joy and Levity of a lifelong relationship may begin.
The story of the wedding feast (Gospel) points to an age of abundance. Such comes with a committed relationship with God! The best of everything in life that is fulfilling will come to be. The Grace and Goodness that comes are exuberant just as the joy and levity of a wedding feast that celebrates a new lifelong relationship. But a relationship that is found in the Lord is even beyond the joy of a new marriage with all its hopes and dreams.
God provides an abundance of gifts distributed among the many members of the community of faith. Each member has his or her own talent. Each talented person edifies the whole community. This shared distribution of wealth illustrates God’s love and God’s life manifested in His community of faith which is the Church. Saint Paul makes this clear in his letter to the Corinthians.
Speaking of all the gifts God gives to the community of faith, Paul states, “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” In the Old Testament reading (Is. 62) the prophet Isaiah speaks to this gracious relationship similarly.
Saint Paul points out the Lord greatly wants to celebrate His relationship as one would have in a joyous wedding reception. The future of the relationship is full of great promise. All things will be bright when a relationship is based in a firm, reliable commitment. There is a new life to look forward to. But hopes and dreams may be fleeting. The hard work of commitment is needed in every relationship that is attempted in life.
Jesus gives us the supreme example of commitment. He is so bound to His love for the Father and the Father’s love for Him that He dies for the relationship. He does not give into a fleeting earth bound or transient infatuation. From the start of His ministry, Jesus rejects the devil’s offer of an earthly kingdom. “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdomsof the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan!’” (Matthew 4: 8-11)
So friends, do you have a commitment in life? What is that commitment? What is it based in? Is it a lifelong relationship?
Make a commitment to the Lord God. Start a relationship with God. To begin, simply say this prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner.” Go ahead, say it several times over. Simply begin the relationship with that phrase. Say it over and over every day. And watch for it. The Joy and Levity of a lifelong relationship may begin.
Peace and blessings,
Father Bob
Father Bob
Father Bob's
Video Reflections
Each week Father Bob posts a Video Reflection on the Spiritual readings for the weekend Mass. These Videos are not intended to replace your prescence at mass each week! Much like Scripture Sharing on Thursday evening from 7 pm - 8 pm, these videos act as a point of reference to enhance your knowledge and better prepare you to participate in each weeks celebration.
Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.
Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.
The Jesus Prayer...
Lord Jesus Christ
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.
Sacraments of Christian Initiation
Sacraments of Healing
Sacraments of Service
Click on the links below for more information
This Weeks Scripture Readings
January 26, 2025
Third Sunday in Ordinary Times
Reading I
Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly,
which consisted of men, women,
and those children old enough to understand.
Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate,
he read out of the book from daybreak till midday,
in the presence of the men, the women,
and those children old enough to understand;
and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform
that had been made for the occasion.
He opened the scroll
so that all the people might see it
— for he was standing higher up than any of the people —;
and, as he opened it, all the people rose.
Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,
and all the people, their hands raised high, answered,
"Amen, amen!"
Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,
their faces to the ground.
Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,
interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.
Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe
and the Levites who were instructing the people
said to all the people:
"Today is holy to the LORD your God.
Do not be sad, and do not weep"—
for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.
He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,
and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;
for today is holy to our LORD.
Do not be saddened this day,
for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"
which consisted of men, women,
and those children old enough to understand.
Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate,
he read out of the book from daybreak till midday,
in the presence of the men, the women,
and those children old enough to understand;
and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform
that had been made for the occasion.
He opened the scroll
so that all the people might see it
— for he was standing higher up than any of the people —;
and, as he opened it, all the people rose.
Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,
and all the people, their hands raised high, answered,
"Amen, amen!"
Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,
their faces to the ground.
Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,
interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.
Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe
and the Levites who were instructing the people
said to all the people:
"Today is holy to the LORD your God.
Do not be sad, and do not weep"—
for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.
He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,
and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;
for today is holy to our LORD.
Do not be saddened this day,
for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"
Psalm
PS 19
R. (cf John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Reading 2
1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
If a foot should say,
"Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,"
it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.
Or if an ear should say,
"Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,"
it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?
If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
But as it is, God placed the parts,
each one of them, in the body as he intended.
If they were all one part, where would the body be?
But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you, "
nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you."
Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker
are all the more necessary,
and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable
we surround with greater honor,
and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety,
whereas our more presentable parts do not need this.
But God has so constructed the body
as to give greater honor to a part that is without it,
so that there may be no division in the body,
but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it;
if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.
Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the church
to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
If a foot should say,
"Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,"
it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.
Or if an ear should say,
"Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,"
it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?
If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
But as it is, God placed the parts,
each one of them, in the body as he intended.
If they were all one part, where would the body be?
But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you, "
nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you."
Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker
are all the more necessary,
and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable
we surround with greater honor,
and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety,
whereas our more presentable parts do not need this.
But God has so constructed the body
as to give greater honor to a part that is without it,
so that there may be no division in the body,
but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it;
if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.
Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the church
to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Alleluia
Cf. Luke 4:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Gospel
John 2:1-11
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events
that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning
and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."
that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning
and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."
Next Weeks Readings
February 2, 2025, 2025
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 24
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 24
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40