Catholic Church Readings for January 20, 2021: Wednesday in the Second Week of Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 20, 2021: Wednesday in the Second Week of Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 313

Reading I

Heb 7:1-3, 15-17

Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High,

met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings

and blessed him.

And Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything.

His name first means righteous king,

and he was also “king of Salem,” that is, king of peace.

Without father, mother, or ancestry,

without beginning of days or end of life,

thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

It is even more obvious if another priest is raised up

after the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become so,

not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent

but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.

For it is testified:

    You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

 

Responsorial Psalm

110:1, 2, 3, 4

R.    (4b)    You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand

    till I make your enemies your footstool.”

R.    You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:

    “Rule in the midst of your enemies.”

R.    You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;

    before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”

R.    You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:

    “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

R.    You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

 

Alleluia

See Mt 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom

and cured every disease among the people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 3:1-6

Jesus entered the synagogue.

There was a man there who had a withered hand.

They watched Jesus closely

to see if he would cure him on the sabbath

so that they might accuse him.

He said to the man with the withered hand,

“Come up here before us.”

Then he said to the Pharisees,

“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil,

to save life rather than to destroy it?”

But they remained silent.

Looking around at them with anger

and grieved at their hardness of heart,

Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”

He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel

with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

Being Humble Can Be Tough but Rewarding

Full disclaimer: I'm no expert in humility. Anyone who's known me for more than 5 seconds knows this. However, it's something I have become interested in and wanted to just briefly discuss. How can humility be beneficial, how does it set one free?

I often think about things, I internalize things people say and events. I sometimes run things through my head many times over and over. I can become upset, angry, or other emotions when contemplating these events and situations. These feelings throw me off. I become focused on them and often try to resolve them in some way. If someone said something which made me uncomfortable, maybe I have to somehow talk to that person or let them know. Maybe I have to smooth things over. Maybe I have to doublecheck what they meant by what they said.

Many people can probably relate to this way of thinking. Another issue I sometimes face is embarrassment or awkwardness, which is related to the first thing mentioned. I don't want to say the wrong things or come across the wrong way. I don't want to leave a bad impression. Perhaps I don't want to look bad in front of fellow Catholics or I fear my reputation is being injured.

These thoughts often occupy the minds of many people in our world. We have fear, stress, anxiety, depression caused by these thoughts and fears. We feel the need to constantly defend ourselves and to appear well-adjusted, competent, and liked by those around us. Our egos are easily bruised and we are constantly on the defensive. We rarely listen to the advice of others as it will make us appear weak or pathetic.

Fortunately I have a cure. In a word: humility.

I know humility is often talked about by the saints but I think at some point I just realized the immensity of this powerful virtue. Most saints and theologians classify humility as the most important virtue as it counteracts the most dangerous: Pride.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux said the three most important virtues are: Humility, Humility, and Humility.

One of the insights I have had about humility is that it is very liberating. How? Well one way is to look at situations which could be potentially embarrassing, uncomfortable, etc, as opportunities to grow in humility. Humility is about understanding our place. God is so much greater than us, and we have sinned so often in the past, yet God in his greatest is willing to forgive us of our sins as much as we ask. Who are we to think we are great and important? God has given us everything in our lives. If he can give us everything, and Jesus Christ died for our sins, who are we to think we are so important.

In terms of the definition of humility, I offer the Catholic Encyclopedia entry:

The virtue of humility may be defined: "A quality by which a person considering his own defects has a lowly opinion of himself and willingly submits himself to God and to others for God's sake." St. Bernard defines it: "A virtue by which a man knowing himself as he truly is, abases himself." These definitions coincide with that given by St. Thomas: "The virtue of humility", he says, "Consists in keeping oneself within one's own bounds, not reaching out to things above one, but submitting to one's superior" (Summa Contra Gent., bk. IV, ch. lv, tr. Rickaby).

Without God we would be nothing, we would have nothing, we would not even exist. Our past sinful actions have merited us hell, yet God has lovingly rescued us. Who are we to puff out our chests and think we are something so important?

By being humble, we allow God to work through us. We can be lead in the ways God wishes us to be, we serve one another, and we are willing to be corrected. No one can exhibit more humility than Jesus Christ himself who although God, chose to become man and be subjected to our tortures and punishments. Jesus Christ died for our sins, we owe him everything.

On a practical level, I have found that when I do try to be humble it is extremely freeing. If you see situations as opportunities for humility or other virtues, then you don't worry so much about others' opinion of you, you take alleged insults or slights as constructive criticism. You ask yourself the person who said these things has a point. If they do not, you ignore it. If they do have a point, you try to implement what they've said.

Some saints have become known for their great humility. St. Thomas Aquinas, known as the Angelic Doctor, and probably the top theologian in the Church was so humble that in class, he rarely spoke and was labeled as the dumb ox. His brilliance was hardly known to those around him. He humbly let others speak before him. He did not try to build his reputation or appear to be qualified and competent.

St. Thomas spoke so little that his teacher assigned him a tutor as the teacher did not know if Thomas was even comprehending what was being taught. During the first lesson, when conversing with the tutor, the tutor recognized the towering intellect of St. Thomas to the point where he requested they reverse roles.

Another example of humility comes again from St. Thomas Aquinas, but this time it was his contemporary St. Bonaventure who showed this virtue. Here is the story (from http://www.catholickingdom.com/People/Dominique/Archive/inline/FF_17.html):

It was 1264 when Pope Urban IV instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi, (this title comes from the Latin, meaning the Body of Christ). The pope wanted a special Mass and office written especially for this new important feast of the Holy Eucharist. It was this difficult and essential task that was appointed to both Sts. Bonaventure and Thomas Aquinas. The holy father reserved to himself the right of choosing which of these two great men’s writings would be used.

So on the appointed day, both Saints, each with his manuscript under his arm, came before the Vicar of Christ. St. Thomas was to go first, and kneeling before the pope, began to read what he had written. Both Pope Urban IV and St. Bonaventure listened with tears of emotion to the beautiful work of this Saint. And while St. Thomas was still reading, St. Bonaventure turned aside and tore his manuscript into small pieces. When St. Bonaventure's turn came, he admitted what he had done and told them that he was no longer in possession of his manuscript. St. Bonaventure explained that he considered St. Thomas’ work alone worthy to be used at the Most Holy Feast, therefore making it unnecessary to take his own poor work into account.

And for centuries now on the feast of Corpus Christi, within every Catholic church is heard that heavenly hymn written by the hand of St. Thomas Aquinas. And while no one will ever know what inspiring prayer St. Bonaventure wrote, we do know one thing. While God is greatly glorified and pleased with the great work of St. Thomas Aquinas, He is equally glorified and pleased with the great humility of St. Bonaventure.

So when you hear the "Tantum Ergo" or the "O Salutaris Hostia," (excerpts from what St. Thomas wrote for the feast of Corpus Christi), remember the humble act performed by St. Bonaventure who desired that this feast be the most beneficial to the Catholic Church and give the greatest glory to God. 

With humility we are focused on God's will, not our own. If someone hurts us, we focus more on the harm that does to our enemy than to ourselves. I feel like many saints had this point of view. Jesus himself, from what I can see, was far more concerned about the spiritual welfare of those around him than he was to any perceived slight. He let personal attacks slide, like a lamb led to the slaughter he did not even speak a word. Yet, when people were in spiritual danger to themselves, Christ spoke in the most unreserved and direct ways. Remember "Get behind me Satan". He did not mince words.

So let's keep humility in mind. Think of specific ways you can grow in humility. Over time you will realize how freeing it can be.

Catholic Church Readings for January 19, 2021: Tuesday in the Second Week of Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 19, 2021: Tuesday in the Second Week of Ordinary Time

Reading I

Heb 6:10-20

Brothers and sisters:

God is not unjust so as to overlook your work

and the love you have demonstrated for his name

by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones.

We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness

for the fulfillment of hope until the end,

so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who,

through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.

When God made the promise to Abraham,

since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,

and said, I will indeed bless you and multiply you.

And so, after patient waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.

Now, men swear by someone greater than themselves;

for them an oath serves as a guarantee

and puts an end to all argument.

So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise

an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose,

he intervened with an oath,

so that by two immutable things,

in which it was impossible for God to lie,

we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged

to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.

This we have as an anchor of the soul,

sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil,

where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner,

becoming high priest forever

according to the order of Melchizedek.

Responsorial Psalm

111:1-2, 4-5, 9 and 10c

R.    (5)  The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart

    in the company and assembly of the just.

Great are the works of the LORD,

    exquisite in all their delights.

R.    The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;

    gracious and merciful is the LORD.

He has given food to those who fear him;

    he will forever be mindful of his covenant.

R.    The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

He has sent deliverance to his people;

    he has ratified his covenant forever;

    holy and awesome is his name.

    His praise endures forever.

R.    The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

 

Alleluia

See Eph 1:17-18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

enlighten the eyes of our hearts,

that we may know what is the hope

that belongs to our call.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath,

his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.

At this the Pharisees said to him,

“Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

He said to them,

“Have you never read what David did

when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?

How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest

and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat,

and shared it with his companions?”

Then he said to them,

“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.

That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

Is attending Mass at Home Equivalent to Attending in Person?

Since Covid-19, there have been calls at many times and in many places for churchgoing parishioners to "JUST STAY HOME". We are told it's the same thing. God is everywhere isn't he? Why would we have to go to a physical building? Isn't the "Church" the communion of believers? Aren't we united by spirit and not physically?

I want to delve into this subject as there is a ton of confusion and controversy. This is not meant to be an exhaustive theological treatise on the subject, but just some of my own thoughts and ideas from my understanding. I do encourage debate so if you would like to add anything or disagree with me, please feel free to do so in the comments section.

Here is my response to the arguments above. Yes, God is omnipresent. He's not just in a church, obviously. But that is besides the point. God asks that we give special attention to him, not for his sake, but for our own and he designed this attention in a particular way.

How should we know the best way to worship God? There are countless possible ways we could do that, but are they all ways God wants? Not necessarily. God in the person of Jesus Christ instructed us on what to do.

John 6:50

This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread[c] which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Our Lord goes on to say Do this in Memory of Me. Jesus Christ clearly identifies what exactly he would like done in order that we remember him. He intended for us to partake of his body, blood, soul, and divinity in the form of bread and wine. This is the ultimate sacrifice, the perfect sacrifice, from God himself.

The Mass is the greatest prayer to God that the Church offers as it is a re-presentation of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Our Lord in atonement for our sins so that we may be united with him.

Therefore God has told us specifically how we ought to worship him. This does not mean that other forms of worship are bad or wrong. The Church has plenty of other forms of worship such as the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Divine Office, meditation, etc. These all have their place, but the Mass is the ultimate.

The Mass must be done in person, so that we can receive the body and blood of Our Lord into our bodies and souls. In Catholic theology, we are not just a spiritual religion. Our faith is also physical. This is opposed to many other religions and other Christians who believe that the physical part of the world is inferior or unimportant. Therefore they diminish or reject sacramentals, paintings, statues, and other such things.

But it's not just the Mass which must take place in person - it's all of the sacraments. Baptism must use water, confession must be done in person with a priest, confirmation involves oil being placed on the head, etc. There are no purely spiritual sacraments. In fact, a sacrament is an outward sign of an inward reality.

God himself became incarnate in the form of a man. He was not satisfied to remain spiritual, but chose to become a physical person in order that we may come ever closer to him. We as human beings were designed with bodies in a physical world. When God created our world while creating the universe, he saw it and said it was good. We disagree with the Manicheans and dualists who believe that the physically created world is evil and that only the spiritual world is good. Christ became incarnate and thus sanctified the entire physical universe.

There is also a practical reason for in-person sacraments and gatherings. We are social beings. Telling each person to remain atomized is contrary to our nature. We need other human beings. At Mass every day we confirm our belief in the "Communion of Saints". Yes, the communion of saints involves those in heaven, but there is also a communal aspect to which we all belong.

Having said all of this, I must of course mention the caveat that we are not absolutely required to attend sacraments in person even if this will put people's lives at risk. As with everything, it's not completely black and white. Yes, we should avoid unnecessary risk, but we must also realize the vital importance the sacraments play in our lives and not be too nonchalant about dismissing them as less than this. I am not here to condemn anyone, who out of love of neighbor and desire to keep people safe, decides to stay home. I am simply emphasizing that our first obligation and duty and purpose is to worship God, and we best do that in the way he taught us.

Have a great day everyone.

Catholic Church Readings for January 18, 2021: Monday in the Second Week of Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 18, 2021: Monday in the Second Week of Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 311

Reading I

Heb 5:1-10

Brothers and sisters:

Every high priest is taken from among men

and made their representative before God,

to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring,

for he himself is beset by weakness

and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself

as well as for the people.

No one takes this honor upon himself

but only when called by God,

just as Aaron was.

In the same way,

it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,

but rather the one who said to him:

        You are my Son:

    this day I have begotten you;

just as he says in another place,

    You are a priest forever

        according to the order of Melchizedek.

In the days when he was in the Flesh,

he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears

to the one who was able to save him from death,

and he was heard because of his reverence.

Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;

and when he was made perfect,

he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4

R.    (4b)    You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand

    till I make your enemies your footstool.”

R.    You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:

    “Rule in the midst of your enemies.”

R.    You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;

    before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”

R.    You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:

    “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

R.    You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Alleluia

Heb 4:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The word of God is living and effective,

able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel

Mk 2:18-22

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.

People came to Jesus and objected,

“Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, 

but your disciples do not fast?”

Jesus answered them,

“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?

As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.

But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,

and then they will fast on that day.

No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak.

If he does, its fullness pulls away,

the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.

Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.

Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,

and both the wine and the skins are ruined.

Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

If you think we have it bad here...

Religious freedom in the United States and Canada is being threatened, we know of many examples. Yet, we must be thankful we are not being persecuted to the extent that our brothers and sisters in other countries have been persecuted.

Here is the story of a priest from Vietnam. Warning, the article contains graphic descriptions, but not pictures. It goes to show how horrible things were and continue to be in some parts of the world:

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/father-raphael-nguyen-profile

Catholic Church Readings for January 17, 2021: Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 17, 2021: Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 65

Reading I

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19

Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD

where the ark of God was.

The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”

Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am.  You called me.”

“I did not call you, “  Eli said.  “Go back to sleep.”

So he went back to sleep.

Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.

“Here I am, “ he said.  “You called me.”

But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son.  Go back to sleep.”

At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD,

because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.

The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time.

Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am.  You called me.”

Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.

So he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,

Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”

When Samuel went to sleep in his place,

the LORD came and revealed his presence,

calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”

Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him,

not permitting any word of his to be without effect.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 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 I am, 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.

Reading II

1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20

Brothers and sisters:

The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord,

and the Lord is for the body;

God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?

But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.

Avoid immorality.

Every other sin a person commits is outside the body,

but the immoral person sins against his own body.

Do you not know that your body

is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,

whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

For you have been purchased at a price.

Therefore glorify God in your body. 

 

Alleluia

Jn 1:41, 17b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We have found the Messiah:

Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel

Jn 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples,

and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,

“Behold, the Lamb of God.”

The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,

“What are you looking for?”

They said to him, “Rabbi” — which translated means Teacher —,

“where are you staying?”

He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”

So they went and saw where Jesus was staying,

and they stayed with him that day.

It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,

was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.

He first found his own brother Simon and told him,

“We have found the Messiah” — which is translated Christ —.

Then he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said,

“You are Simon the son of John;

you will be called Cephas” — which is translated Peter.

Catholic Church Readings for January 16, 2021: Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 16, 2021: Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 310

Reading I

Heb 4:12-16

The word of God is living and effective,

sharper than any two-edged sword,

penetrating even between soul and spirit,

joints and marrow,

and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

No creature is concealed from him,

but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him

to whom we must render an account.

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,     

Jesus, the Son of God,

let us hold fast to our confession.

For we do not have a high priest

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who has similarly been tested in every way,

yet without sin.

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace

to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Responsorial Psalm

19:8, 9, 10, 15

R.    (see 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.

Alleluia

Lk 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.

Gospel

Mk 2:13-17

Jesus went out along the sea.

All the crowd came to him and he taught them.

As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,

sitting at the customs post.

Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”

And he got up and followed Jesus.

While he was at table in his house,

many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;

for there were many who followed him.

Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners

and tax collectors and said to his disciples,

“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 

Jesus heard this and said to them,

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Catholic Church Readings for January 15, 2021: Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 15, 2021: Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 309

Reading I

Heb 4:1-5, 11

Let us be on our guard

while the promise of entering into his rest remains,

that none of you seem to have failed.

For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did.

But the word that they heard did not profit them,

for they were not united in faith with those who listened.

For we who believed enter into that rest,

just as he has said:

As I swore in my wrath,    

“They shall not enter into my rest,”

and yet his works were accomplished

at the foundation of the world.

For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner,

And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;

and again, in the previously mentioned place,

They shall not enter into my rest. 

Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest,

so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.

 

Responsorial Psalm

78:3 and 4bc, 6c-7, 8

R.    (see 7b)  Do not forget the works of the Lord!

What we have heard and know,

and what our fathers have declared to us,

we will declare to the generation to come

The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.

R.    Do not forget the works of the Lord!

That they too may rise and declare to their sons

that they should put their hope in God,

And not forget the deeds of God

but keep his commands.

R.    Do not forget the works of the Lord!

And not be like their fathers,

a generation wayward and rebellious,

A generation that kept not its heart steadfast

nor its spirit faithful toward God.

R.    Do not forget the works of the Lord!

 

Alleluia

Lk 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A great prophet has arisen in our midst

and God has visited his people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel

Mk 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,

it became known that he was at home.

Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,

not even around the door,

and he preached the word to them.

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,

they opened up the roof above him.

After they had broken through,

they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,

“Child, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,

“Why does this man speak that way?  He is blaspheming.

Who but God alone can forgive sins?”

Jesus immediately knew in his mind what 

they were thinking to themselves, 

so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,

‘Your sins are forgiven,’

or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?

But that you may know

that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”

–he said to the paralytic,

“I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”

He rose, picked up his mat at once, 

and went away in the sight of everyone.

They were all astounded

and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

Pope's motu proprio concerning women lectors and acolytes big mistake in my opinion

Pope Francis changed canon law 230. Here are the details (from Vatican News article):

With the Motu proprio Spiritus Domini, which modifies the first paragraph of Canon 230 of the Code of Canon Law, Pope Francis, therefore, establishes that women can have access to these ministries and that this be recognized through a liturgical act formally instituting them as such.

As we all know, we've had women lectors and acolytes for quite some time. Lectors are people who read at Mass and acolytes are people who assist at the altar. The change that Pope Francis is making is to allow women to have these roles in a more permanent form, rather than in the current situation where they are seen as temporary by necessity.

In my humble opinion, this is a very imprudent move by the pope. Sadly, I feel most of his decisions are. I'm sure he is attempting to make the Church more welcoming or modern or to appeal to non-Catholics, but it is doing none of those things.

The problem comes in that we are living in a time of great confusion and heresy. Many Catholics still cling to hope that women will one day be allowed to become priests, something which Pope John Paul II pointed out is impossible. Doing so would be a violation of an infallible teaching of the Church since the time of the apostles.

Of course, that is not what Pope Francis is attempting to do here. However, in this time of confusion and uncertainty, doing something like this exacerbates the situation. To the average Catholic and non-Catholic alike, this represents a step towards women priests and bishops. It further creates division in the Church and does the opposite of solidify a Church doctrine.

In my opinion, allowing a permanent role of acolyte or lector for women in a different era might work. I don't know all the implications, but in a time without as much dissent and opposition, people would recognize the role for what it is and would not associate it with the priesthood. These days, because people are so poorly catechized, this is not clear. It undermines an important teaching.

Serving at the altar really should only be men. Christ chose 12 apostles who were all men despite having women whom he could have selected. This has never changed throughout all the centuries of the Church. Although not strictly prohibited, having women serve on the altar in a permanent way takes away from the understanding that Christ is a man who chose men as apostles and as sacramental priests.

On top of this, many boys who see holy men celebrating Mass are drawn to become men themselves and they explore their vocation because of this. Having various men and women on the altar does not emphasize the uniquely masculine role taking place.

In short, I think this is a bad idea particularly now.

Catholic Church Readings for January 14, 2021: Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 14, 2021: Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 308

Reading I

Heb 3:7-14

The Holy Spirit says:

    Oh, that today you would hear his voice,

        “Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion

        in the day of testing in the desert,

    where your ancestors tested and tried me

        and saw my works for forty years.

    Because of this I was provoked with that generation

        and I said, ‘They have always been of erring heart,

        and they do not know my ways.’

    As I swore in my wrath,

        ‘They shall not enter into my rest.’”

Take care, brothers and sisters,

that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart,

so as to forsake the living God.

Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,”

so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.

We have become partners of Christ

if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end.

Responsorial Psalm

95:6-7c, 8-9, 10-11

R.    (8)  If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;

    let us kneel before the LORD who made us.

For he is our God,

    and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

R.    If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:

    “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

    as in the day of Massah in the desert,

Where your fathers tempted me;

    they tested me though they had seen my works.” 

R.    If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Forty years I was wearied of that generation;

    I said: “This people’s heart goes astray,

    they do not know my ways.”

Therefore I swore in my anger:

    “They shall never enter my rest.”

R.    If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Alleluia

See Mt 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom

and cured every disease among the people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 1:40-45

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said,

“If you wish, you can make me clean.”

Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,

touched the leper, and said to him, 

“I do will it. Be made clean.”

The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.

Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.

Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything,

but go, show yourself to the priest

and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;

that will be proof for them.”

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.

He spread the report abroad

so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.

He remained outside in deserted places,

and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Church Announcement: Covid or Catholic?

Every single day that I attend Mass I hear the same, elaborate detailed message regarding Covid-19. Not one, but two in fact. Every single action of the laity is described in excruciating detail to ensure 100% compliance with all Covid regulation. Yet, little if any attention whatsoever is given to God-given Church law concerning the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. I have spoke about this previously. Yesterday, I was listening to a great talk by a holy priest and prior to his homily, he gave instruction, but not in service of Covid, but in service to God. It was quite refreshing.

As mentioned, each and every time I attend Mass, we are inundated with Covid regulation. The second you step inside the designated door, you are greeted by a team of Covid-tracers, people who take your full name, phone number, and ensure you answer correctly to Covid-related questions. You are then given a small piece of green tape which you must stick to your seat so that cleaners know which seats to decontaminate after Mass.

During the opening announcements, we are told the following each day:

Welcome.....

We pray that you are in good health.

We ask that all present respect the instructions given by our ushers and the guidelines in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including using hand sanitizers, maintaining a distance of 2 meters, and wearing face masks when entering, leaving, or moving within the church. We will not have a collection at this Mass, but there are collection boxes provided for you at the entrance and the exit of the church. Thank you for supporting our parish. At the time of communion, we will give you further instructions. At the end of Mass, we ask you to exit through the doors through which you entered the church.

Then right before communion, we get this message:

To ensure that the reception of Holy Communion takes place in a safe and respectful manner, we ask that you please following these instructions:

• Instead of individually replying "Amen" upon receiving the Host, there will be one general attestation of Amen before distribution begins.
• Please remain standing in your pew until invited forward by an usher.
• Ensure your facemask is correctly worn before coming forward and maintain a 2 meter social distance in the communion line.
• As you approach the front of the line, sanitize your hands before receiving communion, bow before the Host, in silence receive the host in your hand, step aside to consume the Host, return to your pew as directed by ushers.
• Those unable to receive Holy Communion in the hand, may come forward to receive a blessing.

Yes, the message is actually that long. During the multi-minute messages during a 30-minute Mass, there is never even the slightest mention of far more important qualifications to receive communion. I have talked about this before. Yesterday, however, I found a homily on Youtube in which the priest in fact does go through the important aspects of the reception of communion.

His message was perfectly balanced, speaking almost exclusively of the spiritual requirements for worthy reception of the Eucharist. The video is linked below, but in brief, he mentioned the following:

Holy Communion should only be received by practicing Catholics. He goes on to say this means people who attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, and are living by the moral laws of the Church meaning you have no serious sin which has not been absolved by sacramental confession.

He then proceeds to explain why as he says "in the old rite", you do not say "Amen" when receiving communion. He says this practice is not really Catholic in that it can imply that our assent brings about the Real Presence, which is not a Catholic idea. He said the priest brings about transubstantiation, and our assent is not required. A very interesting point which I did not know.

He goes into detail about the mechanics of receiving the Eucharist such as placing one's tongue out far enough for the Host to be placed there correctly and to close one's eyes when receiving. He even goes on to speak about one's role in the traditional Mass with regards to saying the lines out loud, etc.

All of this advice is highly valuable and probably needed, at least from time to time, if not at every Mass. Yet we never hear these things.

Why are churches so gung-ho and careful about ensuring they following every tiny little detail of random Covid regulations and very lax about legitimate moral issues surrounding the worthy reception of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord? In fact, most of the announcements and specifications are made up by the parish itself. There are basic guidelines issued by the government, but in many cases such as the one above, the church voluntarily chose to have that many announcements to ensure compliance.

I want to say I am not criticizing anyone involved in carrying out tasks associated with Covid compliance. I am simply saying if we can have detailed Covid announcements, we can have spiritual reminders as well.

Catholic Church Readings for January 13, 2021: Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 13, 2021: Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 307

Reading I

Heb 2:14-18

Since the children share in blood and Flesh,

Jesus likewise shared in them,

that through death he might destroy the one

who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,

and free those who through fear of death

had been subject to slavery all their life.

Surely he did not help angels

but rather the descendants of Abraham;

therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,    

that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God

to expiate the sins of the people.

Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,

he is able to help those who are being tested.

Responsorial Psalm

105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

R.    (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;

    make known among the nations his deeds.

Sing to him, sing his praise,

    proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

R.    (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Glory in his holy name;

    rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!

Look to the LORD in his strength;

    seek to serve him constantly.

R.    (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,

    sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

He, the LORD, is our God;

    throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R.    (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

He remembers forever his covenant

    which he made binding for a thousand generations-- 

Which he entered into with Abraham

    and by his oath to Isaac. 

R.    (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Alleluia

Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.

I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue

Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.

Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.

They immediately told him about her.

He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.

Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset,

they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.

The whole town was gathered at the door.

He cured many who were sick with various diseases,

and he drove out many demons,

not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, 

he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

Simon and those who were with him pursued him

and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages

that I may preach there also.

For this purpose have I come.”

So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons 

throughout the whole of Galilee.