Year I

5th Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday, Year I

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Today’s First Reading, a recap of the creation of man and the Lord’s first counsel to him, is in stark contrast to the debates regarding ritual purity in today’s Gospel. At the beginning of history man enjoyed a paradise of God’s design, filled with a life that came from God himself, and the only request in return was to not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From its phrasing it is more of a warning of what would happen if Adam did: the Lord was counseling him.

Centuries later man had come up with hundreds of ways to wash himself clean of what we know comes after the story in today’s First Reading. Our Lord makes them remember the garden, the beginning, when everything was good; if Creation made them impure it was because they used Creation impurely. In the wisdom literature of the Old Testament we’re reminded, and Our Lord reiterates in today’s Gospel, that God didn’t create anything evil (Wisdom 1:14–15). Our Lord encourages us to remember that it is in our hands to turn evil back toward good.

We may not restore the beauty of Eden in our earthly lifetime, but we can morally beautify our world. Let’s ask Our Lord today to help us turn back the clock on sin through using his Creation to do good.

Readings: Genesis 2:4b–9, 15–17; Psalm 104:1–2a, 27–28, 29b–30; Mark 7:14–23.

5th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Year I

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In today’s First Reading the story of Creation concludes with the Lord looking upon all he has created as very good, and resting from his works. The Lord has placed us at the head of his creation; he blessed the creatures of the sea and the air and commanded them to multiply and grow, and he commanded us to thrive as well, using all the things he created for our use.

Sometimes we don’t feel like we’re in a world of abundance. We have bills, budgets, and empty pockets. Many people are barely making ends meet. Creation reminds us that we need to use what the Lord has given us not only to help ourselves, but to help everything to thrive and to grow. That doesn’t mean saving the trees; it means using the abundances that still exist in the world to help others and to help Creation thrive at all levels for the good of man.

How about taking a little time this Sunday to see how you can help Creation thrive?

Readings: Genesis 1:20–2:4a; Psalm 8:4–9; Mark 7:1–13. See also 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B.

5th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday, Year I

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Today’s First Reading begins book of Genesis with the story of Creation, the beginning of everything we experience in this life. The first thing the Lord creates is light, and the presence and absence of light marks the difference between night and day. Usually it takes a blackout for us to appreciate the gift of light, not so much as a sign of electricity, but as something that enables us to see. Close your eyes tight and imagine a world without light. Genesis reminds us today that even before the sun, moon, and stars were made, the Lord brought light into the world.

John in the prologue to his Gospel, inspired by the creation of light in Genesis, describes Our Lord as the true light coming into the world. In today’s Gospel the news of Jesus’ miraculous healing makes him a “beacon” that everyone seeks for the sake of their sick loved ones and friends. Sin introduced a darkness into creation; Our Lord has come to banish that darkness with his light.

Let’s thank Our Lord today for the light he brings into the world.

Readings: Genesis 1:1–19; Psalm 104:1–2a, 5–6, 10, 12, 24, 35c; Mark 6:53–56. See also 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday.

 

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

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In today’s First Reading Isaiah describes the importance of helping the poor and being just in the way we treat each other. As Christians we’re expected to practice the corporal works of mercy described by Isaiah today. We are called to materially help those in need and not turn a blind eye to them or their needs. Justice is giving each person their due, and they’re not only due our support when they are in need. They are also due our respect, even when well fed, clothed, sheltered, and free from persecution.

This dignity is not only owed to the needy, but toward everyone. Everyone should be taken into consideration and respected, whether rich or poor, lovable or detestable. This concern for justice has an incredible healing power in our own lives as well. Isaiah connects this light with “vindication”: vindication means being cleared from blame. He also connects it with our own healing. Acting justly brings us out of the darkness of indifference and sin that often afflicts this world and doesn’t just bring us into the light, but transforms us into a source of light.

In today’s Second Reading Paul reminds us that what we accomplish is not due to how slick we are, but to how powerful God is. This light comes from God. Paul doesn’t take credit for the fruits of his work of evangelization among the Corinthians. He knows his mission, just like ours, is to make the power of God shine through. If the Lord wasn’t at work, nothing would happen. Proclaiming a mystery is challenging, which is why we need the Lord himself through his Spirit to show that power at work. When we share the Gospel we shouldn’t be concerned about our qualifications, but being the Lord’s instrument for bringing light to the lives of others.

In today’s Gospel Our Lord teaches us that it’s not enough to have this light, or to use it for ourselves. We have to make that light shine and illuminate others as well. Christians are not just meant to glow; they’re meant to shine, to provide so much illumination that they light up the world. Yet, just as not every lighting is the same, the light of Christians lights the way back to that source of light: to Christ. When a Christian shines people don’t just praise them; they praise God who made them shine.

Don’t just glow today in your faith. Shine!

Readings: Isaiah 58:7–10; Psalm 12:4–9; 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; Matthew 5:13–16. See also 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, Year I and 10th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday.

4th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday, Year I

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The Letter to the Hebrews is one of the most priestly writings in the New Testament, and in today’s First Reading the letter concludes by describing Our Lord as the “great shepherd of the sheep.” There is a vital connection between priest and pastor. Bishops and priests are shepherds of souls, but the sheep are Our Lord’s, and even the pastors are his sheep.

In today’s Gospel Our Lord listens to his pastors-in-training tell of their work with souls, and then he invites them to a place apart to rest and receive the pastoral care they need too. The needs of souls don’t let them dally for long, but the Great Shepherd takes time to lead every sheep to greener pastures.

Let’s pray for our pastors today.

Readings: Hebrews 13:15–17, 20–21; Psalm 23:1–6; Mark 6:30–34. See also 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B.