Ash Wednesday First Reading: Joel 2:12-18 Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, Offerings and libations for the LORD, your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion! proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the people, notify the congregation; Assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast; Let the bridegroom quit his room and the bride her chamber. Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep, And say, “Spare, O LORD, your people, and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them! Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 12-13, 14 AND 17 R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Brothers and sisters: We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” NAB I don't know about you, but I'm feeling like I've just started to recover from the joyous celebrations and messes and stresses of Christmas, and here we are with Lent already beginning today. I'm not ready. Maybe that's the point. I'm not ready, not prepared, and yet, now is the time. Saint Paul's words to the Corinthians truly are just as much for me, today, in 2016, as they were for the people of Corinth 2000 years ago. NOW is an acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation. I may not feel ready for Lent, but ooooh, how much my soul needs Lent. I need God's mercy. I need to return to the Father of mercy and forgiveness. I need to rend my heart, to fast, and to pray. God knows that, too. He's ready and waiting for me to turn to him. Let me be so bold as to say, I hope this is my best Lent yet. Can I issue that challenge to you, too? Sisters, it is the Year of Mercy. What is Lent if it is not about experiencing God's unending mercy? For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Be washed in mercy this Lent, by receiving forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation and participation in the Mass. Be an instrument of mercy this Lent, by doing spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Because, if not now, when? Now is always the best time to let God's mercy be at work in our lives. [bctt tweet="Now is always the best time to let God's mercy be at work in our lives."] Sit with these readings today. Allow yourself even 5 minutes of quiet and stillness, and begin to turn your heart towards the God of mercy who is longing to shower you in grace and mercy. Use these weeks of Lent to get to know the Divine Mercy. Speak the words "Jesus, I trust in you," and let Him fill your life with mercy. photo by Sydney Marie Photography Gina Fensterer is a wife, daughter, mother, friend, homeschooling mama and Colorado native. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30 Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole community of Israel, and stretching forth his hands toward heaven, he said, “LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep your covenant of mercy with your servants who are faithful to you with their whole heart. “Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built! Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O LORD, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. May your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place where you have decreed you shall be honored; may you heed the prayer which I, your servant, offer in this place. Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 84:3, 4, 5 AND 10, 11 R. (2) How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young— Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my king and my God! R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face of your anointed. R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! I had rather one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! Gospel: Mark 7:1-13 When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.” NAB Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnival: Today goes by many names, but most of them ooze with decadence. When we wake up tomorrow, we enter a season of penance, but today, we feast. I am great at feasting. I love food and celebrating with friends and family. I love hosting guests, opening a bottle of wine, cutting into a beautiful dessert, the works. To get right down to the truth of it—I love the pleasures of this world. Even the acts of doing my hair and slipping into a flattering outfit can bring such pleasure to my day. What a glorious created world we live in! And I am so lucky to have the means to enjoy it so fully! Today’s Psalm, for that reason, is one that always makes me think twice: How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! I had rather one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. “I don’t know,” I can find myself thinking, “I have a pretty good thing going here.” But really, I’m not even lying on the threshold yet! The pleasures we experience now are just a tiny taste of heaven, but they are enough to distract me from my true goal. After all the feasting and celebrating, we enter forty days of penance and turn our eyes from the pleasures of this world to the glory of heaven. That’s why I like the traditional English name for today: Shrove Tuesday. The word "shrove" refers to confession, an appropriate way to enter the season of penance tomorrow. While feasting prepares our homes for the fast that begins tomorrow (that's your excuse to not leave leftovers!), we also should take time to prepare our hearts for Lent today. Seek reconciliation. Schedule the time to pray, fast, and give alms. Reflect on how to make this coming season fruitful. [bctt tweet="Seek reconciliation. Reflect on how to make this coming season fruitful."] As you celebrate and enjoy the feast, imagine trading one thousand feast days for one day in the courts of the Lord. As we journey into Lent, turn your desire to the house of our God. photo credit Brigid Hogan loves the view of the Washington Monument from her apartment, her standing desk, the Green Bay Packers, and a good mystery. She tolerates taking the Metro to the office, where she works as a communications consultant. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 The elders of Israel and all the leaders of the tribes, the princes in the ancestral houses of the children of Israel, came to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenant from the City of David, which is Zion. All the people of Israel assembled before King Solomon during the festival in the month of Ethanim (the seventh month). When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark; they carried the ark of the LORD and the meeting tent with all the sacred vessels that were in the tent. (The priests and Levites carried them.) King Solomon and the entire community of Israel present for the occasion sacrificed before the ark sheep and oxen too many to number or count. The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place beneath the wings of the cherubim in the sanctuary, the holy of holies of the temple. The cherubim had their wings spread out over the place of the ark, sheltering the ark and its poles from above. There was nothing in the ark but the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel at their departure from the land of Egypt. When the priests left the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD so that the priests could no longer minister because of the cloud, since the LORD’s glory had filled the temple of the LORD. Then Solomon said, “The LORD intends to dwell in the dark cloud; I have truly built you a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever.” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 132:6-7, 8-10 R. (8a) Lord, go up to the place of your rest! Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. Let us enter into his dwelling, let us worship at his footstool. R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest! Advance, O LORD, to your resting place, you and the ark of your majesty. May your priests be clothed with justice; let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy. For the sake of David your servant, reject not the plea of your anointed. R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest! Gospel: Mark 6:53-56 After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed. NAB My husband decided last spring that our family needed to hear Scripture everyday, so he started reading the Bible out loud at dinner. We have been hearing a chapter of the Old Testament and a chapter of the New Testament every day we eat dinner at home. One thing that has struck me in the early books is how God made His presence physically visible with a cloud of smoke. Before the Temple was built He descended upon the tent which contained the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He was not just making Himself present to His prophets, but all of the Israelites could see His presence there. In the reading today when the ark of the covenant of the Lord was brought into the newly completed temple and into the Holy of Holies, the Lord descended for all to see. In some ways, I feel like it would have been easy for the Israelites to have faith in that presence, they could at least see God descend. But they wasted this contact with God, becoming unfaithful, and in 2 Maccabbees 2 we hear how Jeremiah took the ark up into a cave in the mountain before the Babylonian exile. We, too, are present when God comes down. We witness it at every Sacrifice of the Mass. God comes and transforms bread and wine into Himself. When Jesus is born the Israelites have been without the presence of God in the ark of the covenant for hundreds of years and now that He is walking among they all yearn to touch Him and believe that He will heal them. How blessed are we that we also get to touch Him. Not just the tassel of His cloak, but He comes into our mouths and our bodies. He heals us every time we receive Him, maybe not physically but His Grace heals our souls. But I wonder if my faith is like that of the Israelites. I don't always give Him the reverence that is due when I present myself to Him for Communion. I am distracted by someone's outfit, the thought of donuts after Mass, my children's whisperings (or yellings), and I forget to be present to the Lord. I forget the power that comes out from Him in His touch. How I would love to experience the yearning of the crowds to simply touch Him and be healed. How I would love to have the joy Solomon had at the presence of God in the temple. Let us pray today for a greater faith, greater awe, and greater joy in that God wants to touch us and to heal us. [bctt tweet="Let us pray today for a greater faith, greater awe, and greater joy in our God."] Pray for joy and awe in the presence of God especially in the Eucharist. Let His touch fill you with healing graces and joy. photo by Madi Myers-Cook Susanna Spencer once studied theology and philosophy, but now happily cares for her three adorable little girls, new baby boy, and her dear husband in Saint Paul. She loves beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious meals, baking amazing sweets, reading good books, raising her children, casually following baseball, and talking to her philosopher husband. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-2A, 3-8 In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. Seraphim were stationed above. They cried one to the other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke. Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it, and said, “See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8 R. (1c) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth; and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD: “Great is the glory of the LORD.” R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. Your right hand saves me. The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 I am reminding you, brothers and sisters, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, Christ appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me. Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed. Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. NAB Did you catch that? Go ahead and read that last quote from Jesus again. The disciples were invited to join Him, not appointed. He could’ve simply appointed men and moved on about His mission. But He didn’t. He doesn’t. Six years ago when our son was in the neonatal intensive care unit, a dear friend brought us a beautiful framed photo of Saint Therese, with rose petals inside. Rather than take it home, we placed it beside his incubator. As he endured many more hospital stays and surgeries, that photo came with us. The doors of faith conversations with doctors and nurses that it opened still amazes me. When was the last time He invited you? Was that an invitation or a demand the last time you were at Mass and you felt called to pray for a friend? Or what about when your spouse lost his job, did you bail or did you stay to help carry the cross? When the barista at the local coffee joint asked you about your scapular, did you politely smile and brush off the comment or did you share its beauty? How about when your child threw a tantrum in the middle of the dairy aisle? Did you bend down and hold him in your arms because God demanded it, or because He invited you to love that child, even with all the shortcomings? He invites us every day. Every moment. God desperately wants us to share His love. Hey, I’ve been there. Don’t fear casting the nets. Don’t fear the bounty you will catch. God is right there, on the banks, inviting you to go into the deep with Him. He never disappoints. [bctt tweet="God is right there, on the banks, inviting you to go into the deep with Him."] Overcome your doubt today and share a small piece of your faith with someone you encounter. photo credit Kathryn Whitaker and her husband, Scott, have 6 awesome kids, teen to toddler. She is a former public relations consultant turned freelance graphic designer, party planner, organizer, and preemie advocate who hails from the Lone Star state. You can find out more about her here.

Memorial of St. Paul Miki & Companions First Reading: 1 Kings 3:4-13 Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, because that was the most renowned high place. Upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings. In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: “You have shown great favor to your servant, my father David, because he behaved faithfully toward you, with justice and an upright heart; and you have continued this great favor toward him, even today, seating a son of his on his throne. O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?” The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this– not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right– I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like.” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 R. (12b) Lord, teach me your statutes. How shall a young man be faultless in his way? By keeping to your words. R. Lord, teach me your statutes. With all my heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commands. R. Lord, teach me your statutes. Within my heart I treasure your promise, that I may not sin against you. R. Lord, teach me your statutes. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes. R. Lord, teach me your statutes. With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth. R. Lord, teach me your statutes. In the way of your decrees I rejoice, as much as in all riches. R. Lord, teach me your statutes. Gospel: Mark 6:30-34 The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. NAB What if God told you that you could have anything you wanted? What would your wish be? I wouldn’t know where to begin. Limitless possibilities can be paralyzing. How would we know what to ask of God when there is no limit to what we could receive? This fairy tale situation is just where Solomon found himself in our reading today. Solomon went to the the holiest altar around and offered a thousand sacrifices. When God appeared to him in his dream and told him to ask for something, how did Solomon know what request to make? What would you have asked of God at that moment? Most of us probably don’t find God in our dreams offering to grant our wishes. We do, however, have Jesus’ words that if we ask for something in His name, it will be given to us. What are we supposed to do with this? Do we really ask God for the things we want and expect Him to give them to us? Solomon’s request stands out because it was not just for himself. Solomon asked God to strengthen his main weakness—his youth and inexperience. Solomon desired wisdom to lead the people of God well, and God was pleased to grant that request (and shower down other blessings that Solomon hadn’t even imagined). When our desires line up with God’s will for us and for the people whose lives we touch, that’s when things really happen. That’s when the Kingdom gets built. That’s when lives get changed. Maybe those requests excite God in an “oh, I can really do something great with this!” kind of way. After all, God chose to use us as part of His plan to build the Kingdom of Heaven. We are His hands and feet in the world. If we ask Him for the strength and courage to do the work to which He has called us, just think what exciting things could happen! Lent is almost here. In the coming weeks, let’s pray that our desires would align with God’s will for our lives. Let’s pray for courage to live the lives He is dreaming for us. Let’s pray for strength to serve His people in whatever ways He wants us to serve . . . and then let’s wait on Him and see how He answers those prayers. Great things could be just around the corner. Are you ready? [bctt tweet="Great things could be just around the corner. Are you ready?"] In the coming days, pray that God will guide you in asking for what you need to grow closer to Him this Lent. photo credit Abbey Dupuy writes her life as a homeschooling mama of four while relying on coffee and grace. You can find out more about her here.

Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr First Reading: Sirach 47:2-11 Like the choice fat of the sacred offerings, so was David in Israel. He made sport of lions as though they were kids, and of bears, like lambs of the flock. As a youth he slew the giant and wiped out the people’s disgrace, When his hand let fly the slingstone that crushed the pride of Goliath. Since he called upon the Most High God, who gave strength to his right arm To defeat the skilled warrior and raise up the might of his people, Therefore the women sang his praises, and ascribed to him tens of thousands and praised him when they blessed the Lord. When he assumed the royal crown, he battled and subdued the enemy on every side. He destroyed the hostile Philistines and shattered their power till our own day. With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung; He set singers before the altar and by their voices he made sweet melodies, He added beauty to the feasts and solemnized the seasons of each year So that when the Holy Name was praised, before daybreak the sanctuary would resound. The LORD forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever; He conferred on him the rights of royalty and established his throne in Israel. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 18:31, 47 AND 50, 51 R. (see 47b) Blessed be God my salvation! God’s way is unerring, the promise of the LORD is fire-tried; he is a shield to all who take refuge in him. R. Blessed be God my salvation! The LORD live! And blessed be my Rock! Extolled be God my savior. Therefore will I proclaim you, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praise to your name. R. Blessed be God my salvation! You who gave great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed, to David and his posterity forever. R. Blessed be God my salvation! Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. NAB The giant had taken hold of me and my peace, and I remember the day I sought out help. I sat restlessly in the chair and watched my doctor flip through her notes with ease. She glanced back-and-forth, back-and-forth through the pages of test results. Occasionally her head would pop up and she’d ask, “Which vitamins are you taking?” or “How long have you been trying?” And I’d answer dutifully as my heart beat wildly inside of my chest. And then they came. The answers. She rattled off studies and lab orders and dietary restrictions, and I listened in suspense. I listened and I let it sink deep into my memory until I suddenly found myself diligently thumbing through the gluten-free section of the grocery store and hoarding bottles of Omega-3 in my shopping cart. We all struggle with a giant in our lives. You see, infertility had been my giant for nearly ten years. It’s the type of giant that sends you tumbling down in a river of tears every month. And I tried everything to fix it. Diets, teas, hormonal supplements, you name it. But on the days when the broken wouldn’t fix and the giant wouldn’t relent, I’d find myself in my husband’s arms. He would swoop me up into his compassion and ask me kindly, “Have you invited God into this?” The truth was that I had invited God into my epic battle with this giant, but that was the problem, you see. It was my battle. Sure, I’d pray and I’d seek His answer, but at the end of the day, it was my fight and I was bent on doing everything in my power to win—vitamins, diets, teas, etc. As I reflected on today’s First Reading, I was caught by the line that said, “Since he called upon the Most High God, who gave strength to his right arm to defeat the skilled warrior and raise up the might of his people.” Because how often do we call upon God for help through little skirmishes of our fight but fail to relinquish control to Him for the main battle? Let go. He will slay the giants in your life if you let Him. [bctt tweet="Let go. He will slay the giants in your life if you let Him."] Find ways to let go of the battles you are fighting alone and invite God into them. photo credit Brittany Calavitta is an enthusiastic advocate for a good book, strong coffee, and a hopeful heart. She currently resides in Irvine, California with her hipster husband and overweight Chihuahua. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 When the time of David’s death drew near, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon: “I am going the way of all flesh. Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn, and the LORD may fulfill the promise he made on my behalf when he said, ‘If your sons so conduct themselves that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel.’” David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. Solomon was seated on the throne of his father David, with his sovereignty firmly established. Responsorial Psalm: 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11AB, 11D-12A, 12BCD R. (12b) Lord, you are exalted over all. “Blessed may you be, O LORD, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.” R. Lord, you are exalted over all. “Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory.” R. Lord, you are exalted over all. “LORD, you are exalted over all. Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor are from you.” R. Lord, you are exalted over all. “In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.” R. Lord, you are exalted over all. Gospel: Mark 6:7-13 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. NAB I was sixteen years old when I carefully packed for my first trip abroad. Filled with nervous anticipation and excitement, I anxiously triple-checked my lists, ensuring I didn't leave anything behind. Passport, cash, hairbrush, the “right” clothes . . . I wanted everything to be just so. It was as if the success of my sojourn somehow depended upon having the perfect stuff along for the ride. Fast-forward a couple dozen years, and while I can't recount the exact contents of my luggage, I can tell you all about fabulous meals, interesting people, and breath-taking vistas. In hindsight, the success of my experience wasn't really about the things I brought with me; it was the encounters that mattered most. In today's Gospel, Jesus instructs His disciples to go forth without food, money, or any extras. In the months leading up to this point, the disciples have heard Jesus teach countless parables, witnessed Him heal the sick, and cast out demons. I can almost hear Jesus saying, "C'mon, guys. You don't need all that stuff to represent Me. I've already given you everything you need!" Sometimes I hesitate when God is calling me to be His light, thinking I don't have what it takes. Oh, no, Lord, I say. I can't talk to that person; I haven't memorized the Bible or the Catechism! Encountering someone in Jesus’ name doesn't have to be as complicated or intimidating as we often make it out to be. Remember the lyrics from the song, “They'll Know We are Christians By Our Love”? Well, it's true! We don't need a theology degree to share what Jesus has done in our lives. All it takes is a little love. We can express God’s love by simply sharing a cup of coffee and conversation, or bringing a meal to a sick neighbor, or mailing a card to a friend who is lonely. Sometimes a little love can make a world of difference in someone’s life. Sisters, let’s decide to bring more love and less fear into the world today. [bctt tweet="Sometimes a little love can make a world of difference in someone’s life."] Lord Jesus, help us to trust that You provide everything we need to bring Your light into the world. Help us to get out of Your way, Lord, confident that Your perfect love casts out all fear. May everyone we meet know You because of the way we love them. Amen. photo by Corynne Olivia Heather Renshaw is a writer, speaker, and uplifter on a mission to love and serve God with her husband and five children in the Pacific NW. You can learn more about her here.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17 King David said to Joab and the leaders of the army who were with him, “Tour all the tribes in Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba and register the people, that I may know their number.” Joab then reported to the king the number of people registered: in Israel, eight hundred thousand men fit for military service; in Judah, five hundred thousand. Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people, and said to the LORD: “I have sinned grievously in what I have done. But now, LORD, forgive the guilt of your servant, for I have been very foolish.” When David rose in the morning, the LORD had spoken to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying: “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the LORD says: I offer you three alternatives; choose one of them, and I will inflict it on you.’” Gad then went to David to inform him. He asked: “Do you want a three years’ famine to come upon your land, or to flee from your enemy three months while he pursues you, or to have a three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider and decide what I must reply to him who sent me.” David answered Gad: “I am in very serious difficulty. Let us fall by the hand of God, for he is most merciful; but let me not fall by the hand of man.” Thus David chose the pestilence. Now it was the time of the wheat harvest when the plague broke out among the people. The LORD then sent a pestilence over Israel from morning until the time appointed, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beer-sheba died. But when the angel stretched forth his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD regretted the calamity and said to the angel causing the destruction among the people, “Enough now! Stay your hand.” The angel of the LORD was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the LORD: “It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred.” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7 R. (see 5c) Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,” and you took away the guilt of my sin. R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. For this shall every faithful man pray to you in time of stress. Though deep waters overflow, they shall not reach him. R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round. R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. Gospel: Mark 6:1-6 Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. NAB This is an odd and somewhat disturbing First Reading, isn't it? Why on earth would God want to punish David for taking a census? Why does David think he's sinned so gravely? The short answer: in those days, it was understood that a man could only count what he rightfully owned. And King David knew that these citizens were not actually "his;" they were God's. But David became self-righteous enough to claim them for himself—and we see where that got him. It's a good lesson for us in this consumer-driven day and age. I've often heard that everything we have comes from God, but usually don't apply it past the abstract notion that "God provides." Yet it's not an abstract concept, it's a literal one. Literally everything we own, big or small, we have because of God. It's not something we can rightfully claim as strictly ours, even if we connect it to own hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Our possessions and the people we love are only ours through God's grace. Everything. Our homes. Our vehicles. The pillows under our heads. The flowers in our yard. That favorite book. Those perfect jeans. That degree on the wall. Those cheap plastic toys. The meal we just shared. The credit cards in our wallet. The investments in the bank. The animals in our care. The loved ones we hold dear. The little ones we rock in the dark. The tiny souls housed in our wombs. The very heart that beats in our chest, sustaining us. Indeed—the entire fragile thread of our very life, from beginning to end. It's all God's. A gift from Him to us. But how often do we actively recognize that truth? How often do I instead carelessly dismiss so much in front of me, while acquiring more and spending more, like it's rightfully mine to dispose of as I desire? How often do I share the gifts we've been given as generously as my God has shared them with me? Oh, but how things might change if we lived even one day fully conscious of the truth—that every single aspect of our livelihood is actually a gift from God. How would it change our lives . . . how would it shape our hearts . . . if we took even one day to really thank Him? [bctt tweet="How would it change our lives if we took even one day to really thank Him?"] Today, let's make a list of everything we normally take for granted—whether it's a snow shovel, our eyesight, water from a faucet, a hug, the mountains on our morning drive—and genuinely thank our generous God from the bottom of our beating hearts. photo credit Megan Hjelmstad is a wife, mom, writer and sometimes soldier whose real passion is equal parts faith and chocolate. You can find out more about her here.

The Presentation of Our Lord First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4 Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Who is this king of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle. R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Who is this king of glory? The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory. R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! Second Reading: Hebrews 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. Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted Band you yourself a sword will pierceB so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. NAB It was just a typical day. A young Jewish couple bringing their infant son into the temple to complete the ceremonies that the law required for purification and presentation. In the temple, we also find two faithful Jews: Simeon and Anna, who devotedly await the desire of nations. This wasn’t something that would ordinarily attract especial attention. But this wasn’t an ordinary moment. An ordinary ritual, yes. But made holy and awesome because of the presence of our Savior. And both Anna and Simeon are able to see and to recognize His presence. After spending decades in earnest contemplation, developing their spirits, they have allowed the Holy Spirit to be at work in their lives and are given the eyes to see Christ in their midst. A tiny, unassuming baby. This is one of my favorite things to contemplate when I pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Ordinary acts: announcing a baby, visiting a family member in need, the birth of a child, a post-birth ceremony, and losing (and then of course) finding a child. But add in Jesus, and these acts become extraordinary. How often do we trudge through the ordinary of our everyday without once considering the extraordinary? Folding piles of laundry, feeding of small children, attending required classes and monotonous meetings, driving through traffic. No, these are not great in and of themselves. But we have been given the Holy Spirit, who will help us to see the grace and love of Jesus in the ordinary. May we never disregard time spent in prayer and contemplation, even if it’s just the ten minutes we spend commuting from one place to another. Like Simeon and Anna, our reaction to seeing Jesus at work should be one of joy and praise. When we take a moment to see Jesus in the everyday, our eyes are opened to the extraordinary. [bctt tweet="When we take a moment to see Jesus in the everyday, our eyes are opened to the extraordinary."] Today pray for your eyes to be opened to see the extraordinary. Take a few minutes to stop and contemplate how knowing Jesus has changed even the small moments in your life. Sarah Ortiz is a Catholic convert, and when not folding laundry, she can be found reading, experimenting in the kitchen, or writing at her blog. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13 An informant came to David with the report, “The children of Israel have transferred their loyalty to Absalom.” At this, David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem: “Up! Let us take flight, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Leave quickly, lest he hurry and overtake us, then visit disaster upon us and put the city to the sword.” As David went up the Mount of Olives, he wept without ceasing. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. All those who were with him also had their heads covered and were weeping as they went. As David was approaching Bahurim, a man named Shimei, the son of Gera of the same clan as Saul’s family, was coming out of the place, cursing as he came. He threw stones at David and at all the king’s officers, even though all the soldiers, including the royal guard, were on David’s right and on his left. Shimei was saying as he cursed: “Away, away, you murderous and wicked man! The LORD has requited you for all the bloodshed in the family of Saul, in whose stead you became king, and the LORD has given over the kingdom to your son Absalom. And now you suffer ruin because you are a murderer.” Abishai, son of Zeruiah, said to the king: “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, please, and lop off his head.” But the king replied: “What business is it of mine or of yours, sons of Zeruiah, that he curses? Suppose the LORD has told him to curse David; who then will dare to say, ‘Why are you doing this?’” Then the king said to Abishai and to all his servants: “If my own son, who came forth from my loins, is seeking my life, how much more might this Benjaminite do so? Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. Perhaps the LORD will look upon my affliction and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is uttering this day.” David and his men continued on the road, while Shimei kept abreast of them on the hillside, all the while cursing and throwing stones and dirt as he went. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. (8a) Lord, rise up and save me. O LORD, how many are my adversaries! Many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “There is no salvation for him in God.” R. Lord, rise up and save me. But you, O LORD, are my shield; my glory, you lift up my head! When I call out to the LORD, he answers me from his holy mountain. R. Lord, rise up and save me. When I lie down in sleep, I wake again, for the LORD sustains me. I fear not the myriads of people arrayed against me on every side. R. Lord, rise up and save me. Gospel: Mark 5:1-20 Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed. NAB I sometimes get swept up by notions of the BIG IMPORTANT jobs God had for some folks. Saint Mary Magdalene: First witness to the resurrection. Saint Catherine of Siena: Restorer of the papacy. Saint Joan of Arc: Leader of armies. I’ll tell him, “Hey God, if you need anyone to pass along some new doctrine, or convert the president, or conquer Canada . . . just let me know.” So far, He just keeps sending babies. But that’s okay. And, of course, it’s just as important. Most of us are called to live out our love for God in a not-all-that-spectacular way. Like the man in today’s Gospel, Jesus commands most of us, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Our families are no accident. We were each put in our own particular families for a reason. Whether or not we are also called to feats of strength and acts of derring do . . . we are DEFINITELY called to be a witness to the love of Christ to the people we love the most. As a daughter, as a sister, as a wife, as a mother, does my life each day announce what God has done for me? Do I proclaim God’s love in everything I do and what I say . . . such that ALL ARE AMAZED? Maybe not. But that’s got to be my goal. I can, and should, pray for the whole world, but God put me in this tiny corner of it for a reason. As Blessed Teresa of Calcutta said, “If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.” [bctt tweet="God put me in this tiny corner of it for a reason."] photo credit Kendra Tierney lives in Los Angeles, CA where her interests include blogging, homeschooling, looking after her eight children, and fixing up a hundred year old tumbledown mansion. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. But do you gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; for it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land: against Judah’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17 R. (cf. 15ab) I will sing of your salvation. In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me. R. I will sing of your salvation. Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. R. I will sing of your salvation. For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. R. I will sing of your salvation. My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation. O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. R. I will sing of your salvation. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:31—13:13 Brothers and sisters: Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in human and angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, It is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Gospel: Luke 4:21-30 Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away. Today’s Gospel continues where last week’s left off, as Jesus concludes His reading from the prophet Isaiah: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Saint Luke tells us that “all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.” So, how is it that, a mere seven verses later, the people are ready to kill Jesus? The Jews expected a messiah—a military leader—to free them from their long-suffering occupation by the Romans. They welcomed Jesus’s words about liberty for captives and freedom for the oppressed because those aligned with their understanding of God granting them victory. It soon became clear, however, that Jesus was preaching a much deeper form of freedom. And—most controversially—Jesus confirmed that the coming deliverance was intended for everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. Mic drop. The Jews were definitely not expecting that, as Jews and Gentiles outright hated one another. What the Jewish people didn't understand is that, while salvation was always foretold to come from their people, Almighty God never intended salvation to be for them alone, because His mercy and love is lavish like that. Sometimes it’s hard to clearly see how God is working in our lives, isn’t it? Things don’t always happen according to our expectations. Our plans get left in the dust, our hopes are seemingly smashed. Maybe we don’t truly believe that, despite our circumstances, God’s mighty hand is there with us all along. Sometimes it’s hard to comprehend that, as Saint Paul told the Romans, while we were still sinners, God sent His Son to save us. Sometimes, from the depths of my discouragement and apathy, it’s tough to understand how God could ever want to save a wretch like me. Yet he does. He comes to bring glad tidings to the poor. He comes to proclaim liberty to the captives. He comes to bring sight to those blinded by their sinfulness. He comes to let all the oppressed go free. He comes with a love for each of us that is so exquisitely lavish it cannot be contained—not by a scroll, not by a synagogue, not by a perplexed people, not by this broken world. [bctt tweet="Let us praise Him for setting us free."] Do we truly believe that Jesus comes to free us, or do we resist His love, frustrated that He would dare defy our expectations? Let’s consider the times in our lives when God’s ways were —thankfully—not our ways. And let us praise Him for setting us free. photo credit Heather Renshaw is a writer, speaker, and uplifter on a mission to love and serve God with her husband and five children in the Pacific NW. You can learn more about her here.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 12:1-7A, 10-17 The LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him, Nathan said: “Judge this case for me! In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor. The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers. But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children. She shared the little food he had and drank from his cup and slept in his bosom. She was like a daughter to him. Now, the rich man received a visitor, but he would not take from his own flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and made a meal of it for his visitor.” David grew very angry with that man and said to him: “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this merits death! He shall restore the ewe lamb fourfold because he has done this and has had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘The sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.’ Thus says the LORD: ‘I will bring evil upon you out of your own house. I will take your wives while you live to see it, and will give them to your neighbor. He shall lie with your wives in broad daylight. You have done this deed in secret, but I will bring it about in the presence of all Israel, and with the sun looking down.’” Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan answered David: “The LORD on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die. But since you have utterly spurned the LORD by this deed, the child born to you must surely die.” Then Nathan returned to his house. The LORD struck the child that the wife of Uriah had borne to David, and it became desperately ill. David besought God for the child. He kept a fast, retiring for the night to lie on the ground clothed in sackcloth. The elders of his house stood beside him urging him to rise from the ground; but he would not, nor would he take food with them. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R. Create a clean heart in me, O God. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you. R. Create a clean heart in me, O God. Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God; then my tongue shall revel in your justice. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. R. Create a clean heart in me, O God. Gospel: Mark 4:35-41 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” NAB Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? The Apostles have witnessed Jesus’ miracles. They have caught glimpses of His omnipotence. They have seen Him turn water into wine. They have seen Him cure the sick and make the blind man see. They have seen Him bring back men from the dead. Yet, they still doubt. I, too, have witnessed God’s power in my life. I’ve seen Him work wonders in events that have seemed hopeless. I’ve seen Him heal stubborn physical ailments I’ve thought I would have to live with for a lifetime. I’ve seen Him patch a rift with a friend I considered irreparable. I’ve seen Him change my broken heart to one capable of loving again. And, yet, I still doubt. When I am in the midst of a squall, I doubt He will be able to carry me through. I feel certain I will drown in the midst of my sorrows and trials. He could calm the sea in an instant. He could bring the waves of grief down. Why doesn’t He? I start to have my doubts whether He truly cares about me and my problems. But in those moments where Christ seems quiet, He is not asleep. He is aware. He is mindful of my troubles. And He does care; He cares deeply. He wants to relieve all the perils that assail me. But the moment may not yet have arrived for the tempest to be calmed. I must return and recommit to my faith and hope in Him, trust that He will see me through. In the peril of the moment, it may appear to be never-ending. But do not despair: He is with you. Trust in His providence. Trust in His love. Trust in His saving power. [bctt tweet="He is with you. Trust in His love. Trust in His saving power."] Do not feel bad if your faith waivers—even the Apostles had moments of doubt—but renew your trust in Him with an Act of Hope. Know that He will carry you through the storm. photo credit Laurel Muff is a creator and appreciator of beautiful things. She resides with her husband and daughters in Northern California. You can find more about her here.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1-4A, 5-10A, 13-17 At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign, David sent out Joab along with his officers and the army of Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem. One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, “She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of Joab’s armor bearer Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her. She then returned to her house. But the woman had conceived, and sent the information to David, “I am with child.” David therefore sent a message to Joab, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent Uriah to David. When he came, David questioned him about Joab, the soldiers, and how the war was going, and Uriah answered that all was well. David then said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and bathe your feet.” Uriah left the palace, and a portion was sent out after him from the king’s table. But Uriah slept at the entrance of the royal palace with the other officers of his lord, and did not go down to his own house. David was told that Uriah had not gone home. On the day following, David summoned him, and he ate and drank with David, who made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his bed among his lord’s servants, and did not go down to his home. The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab which he sent by Uriah. In it he directed: “Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead.” So while Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the defenders were strong. When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab, some officers of David’s army fell, and among them Uriah the Hittite died. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6A, 6BCD-7, 10-11 R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. I have done such evil in your sight that you are just in your sentence, blameless when you condemn. True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; the bones you have crushed shall rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my guilt. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Gospel: Mark 4:26-34 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private. I know you’re king and everything, but you’re kind of a jerk. (I’d like to use a few more expletives, but I will refrain.) Let me jump ahead. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus has been shown to speak in parables to the crowds. I know I have difficulty with many of the parables in the Bible, but I understand their importance. They are meant to gently guide us to understanding the true meaning. If I can think of a tiny mustard seed growing into one of the largest plants, I may glean meaning and a greater understanding at a pace that I can handle. Jesus knew this of the crowd. The Lord spoke to them as children, as His children, in a way that they may understand. But the disciples are another story. They were told directly, with no parables to be found. He spoke to them privately and in earnest. He knows His disciples can handle more. They can handle the truth in a more direct fashion. It may be more difficult to swallow, and wants for the imagery of the sprouting seed metaphors, but Jesus knew His disciples. He gives it to ‘em straight up. David needs the truth straight up. What David had done to Uriah and his wife was sinful. I picture Jesus (before His time, yes, but go with it) with His left arm tucked up under His right and His right hand over His eyes, shaking His head like, Um David, not cool. I hope Jesus would have given it to David straight up. He sinned. I hope Jesus would have told David to repent for His sins and ask for forgiveness. Straight up. It makes me wonder who I am in the eyes of the Lord. Am I of the crowd, needing parables and stories to guide me towards understanding? Am I of the disciples, being spoken to in private and directly, even if it is more difficult to accept? Am I David, a once beloved warrior but sinner all the same? Probably all of the above. And then some. But our Lord is merciful to all of us sinners. I do evil, I sin, I am guilty. But He forgives and He saves. Even when I am a jerk, too. [bctt tweet="I wonder, "Who am I in the eyes of the Lord?""] Are you not facing the reality of a sin in your life you just need to be straight up with God about? Confession is here for you! Avail yourself of His cleansing graces. photo credit Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife, mom, and dentist currently living in the Bay Area, California. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-17 That night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day on which I led the children of Israel out of Egypt to the present, but I have been going about in a tent under cloth. In all my wanderings everywhere among the children of Israel, did I ever utter a word to any one of the judges whom I charged to tend my people Israel, to ask: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ “Now then, speak thus to my servant David, ‘The LORD of hosts has this to say: It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his Kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. And if he does wrong, I will correct him with the rod of men and with human chastisements; but I will not withdraw my favor from him as I withdrew it from your predecessor Saul, whom I removed from my presence. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’” Nathan reported all these words and this entire vision to David. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30 R. (29a) For ever I will maintain my love for my servant. “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will make your dynasty stand forever and establish your throne through all ages.” R. For ever I will maintain my love for my servant. “He shall cry to me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock that brings me victory!’ I myself make him firstborn, Most High over the kings of the earth.” R. For ever I will maintain my love for my servant. “Forever I will maintain my love for him; my covenant with him stands firm. I will establish his dynasty forever, his throne as the days of the heavens.” R. For ever I will maintain my love for my servant. Gospel: Mark 4:1-20 On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He answered them, “The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.” Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” NAB This is one of those gospels that I usually groan at a little when I hear, the words playing like a tired, broken record in my head. It's long. It's obvious. Yet Jesus still has to play Captain Obvious and over-explain things to His disciples. I try to read thoughtfully, but instead find myself thinking, "Can there be anything new to glean from these words?" And then they jump out and hit me in the face: Whoever has ears ought to hear. When I do "hear" these words I already know so well, so often I desire not to really listen. Why is it that someone like me—lover of the written word, cherisher of books, continual re-reader of classics like Pride and Prejudice—why can I delight over and over in the witty construct of Jane Austen's words, yet be so indifferent, feel so much ennui, toward re-reading Jesus' words? I think the problem is that sometimes my heart is just a little more hardened to God's Holy Word than I'd like to admit. The ennui, that dismissive "here we go again" reaction to God's word—it reveals a heart and soul slowly distanced by indifference, by the assumption I've heard it all before. And so His Word, His love, is in fact falling on the very same rocky soil I groan to read about. Indeed, one of Satan's greatest deceptions is to make us ignorant to the reality of our once-rich becoming rocky and devoid of good health. But these words of the Gospel, they differ from those of Jane Austen. They're not written for my entertainment. They're not intended to pass my literary critique. They have a much greater purpose—they've been written for my salvation. For your salvation. They're written for us to act upon, as many times as we hear them throughout the continually evolving ribbon of our lives. Whoever has ears ought to hear. Yes, it is in the hearing and the desire to internalize the Word that the soil becomes rich again. And as we internalize His Word, Jesus goes on to tell us to "be doers of the word, not merely hearers." There, in the doing—that's where the fruit begins to grow. So today, let's commit to hearing. Internalizing. Doing. And as we work to do so one day at a time, in place of ennui the fruit will flourish—thirty and sixty and a hundred fold. [bctt tweet="So today, let's commit to hearing. Internalizing. Doing."] Re-read the Gospel with me today. Commit five minutes to really take it in. What areas of your soul have grown rocky? What can you internalize to bring some richness and life back into those areas? photo credit Megan Hjelmstad is a wife, mom, writer and sometimes soldier whose real passion is equal parts faith and chocolate. You can find out more about her here.

Memorials of Saints Timothy and Titus First Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-8 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you. For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 7-8A, 10 R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name. R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Give to the LORD, you families of nations, give to the LORD glory and praise; give to the LORD the glory due his name! R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Say among the nations: The LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Gospel: Mark 3:31-35 The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” NAB Have you ever had one of those terrible, horrible, no-good, everything-goes-wrong kind of days? By ten AM, it feels like it should have already been noon twice. Everything I have done seems to have failed—spilled coffee, burned breakfast, a misunderstanding with a friend, and a forgotten phone call to my mother. My children are cranky and I’m on the verge of a tantrum myself. I snap at people in a short-tempered, bad-humored funk, and count down the hours until I can take a nap or curl up with a book and ignore everyone. On days like this, my four year old daughter likes to tell me that I’m not being a very good reflection of Christ. I want to throw something at her, but I have to admit she’s right. I’m about as Christlike as a wet dishrag. I’m anything but a roaring fire for the Gospel. For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. In those weaker moments when the fire of faith dwindles, what do you do? I take great comfort in reading that Saint Paul had to remind Saint Timothy to “stir into flame” his own gifts. There are days when a normally bright flame seems to be reduced to glowing embers by the trials we face, even if those trials are small by comparison to the ones faced by Saint Timothy. It helps me to know I am not the only one to ever have felt this way. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. We all have days when we’d rather just quit and go back to bed, don’t we? But Saint Paul reminds us along with Saint Timothy that God expects better of us. Along with the gift of faith, He has given us a spirit of power and love and self-control. That means he expects us to use it. No matter how much we want to sling a coffee cup into the sink and stamp our feet in frustration, we must keep on keeping on. We are bearers of light and truth to the people around us. We are called to bear our share of hardship for the Gospel, Saint Paul says, and God will give us the strength to do it. [bctt tweet="We are bearers of light and truth to the people around us."] On this feast of Saint Timothy, thank God for those who remind you to "fan the flames" of your own faith. Consider reaching out this week to one of those people to let them know they have made a difference in your faith life. photo credit Abbey Dupuy is a homeschooling mama to preschooler twins, a first grader and a new baby. You can find out more about her here.

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul First Reading: Acts 22:3-16 Paul addressed the people in these words: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. I persecuted this Way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison. Even the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify on my behalf. For from them I even received letters to the brothers and set out for Damascus to bring back to Jerusalem in chains for punishment those there as well. “On that journey as I drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ I replied, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.’ My companions saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me. I asked, ‘What shall I do, sir?’ The Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything appointed for you to do.’ Since I could see nothing because of the brightness of that light, I was led by hand by my companions and entered Damascus. “A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law, and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me and stood there and said, ‘Saul, my brother, regain your sight.’ And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him. Then he said, ‘The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard. Now, why delay? Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.’” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1BC, 2 R. (Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News. Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News. For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever. R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News. Gospel: Mark 16:15-18 Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” NAB I'm not driving out demons. I mean, sometimes I feel like I am. Today my two-year-old got hit with a rock in a crossfire of a nasty fight between his older sisters. In the moments directly proceeding that situation I felt like I was driving out demons, handling snakes, AND speaking a new language. It was not pretty. It's easy to read this passage from Saint Mark's gospel and see it as inapplicable to our daily life. But I don't think it's such a stretch. The twelve were given the gift of healing and speaking in new languages in order to accomplish their purpose on this earth. And so, by grace, they were given the tools they needed to live their vocation as preachers and teachers fully. Now, I am not one of the twelve, and the job that has been given to me is not one of bodily healing or mass conversion of sinners. My job is a husband, a home, and our children, and for those things—for them—the grace I need is no different than that of the twelve. But I don't often remember that and this Gospel is such a massive reminder for me. Remember what Our Lady said when she appeared to Saint Catherine Laboure? She told her that the graces available for us, from both her and her Son and Savior, were plentiful. That they were more than we could ever, ever need, and all that was required of us to receive them was to ask. I think back to today when my baby was hit with the rock and the screaming and shouting commenced. How often I forget to just stop and ask. How often I forget to seek the grace I need to do my job well . . . just like the great martyrs, just like the twelve. Our jobs were certainly different, but the grace is the same. Our God is the one that gave it to them and He will give it to us. And while our vocation seems pretty simple in comparison to these greats of the Faith, it is still the work of the saints and we need still His grace to do it. Let's not forget to reach for it. [bctt tweet="Don't be afraid to ask Christ for His grace."] Today, make it a point to stop and ask Christ for His grace. Don't be afraid to be demanding. A great priest once told me I should be confident enough to speak truthfully to the Lord when I'm desperate—I need you. You've got to figure this one out because I can't. Help. Maybe just try and do it once in a moment of need. I will, too. Let's see how He shows up. photo credit Blythe Fike is the wife of Kirby and mother of 6 smallish kids. She loves the quiet life in small town SoCal. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: 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!” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15 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. Second Reading: 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? Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 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.” NAB I used to teach middle school, and do you know what the primary goal of the middle schooler is? Fitting in. Flashbacks would overwhelm me as I watched them try to find a place at the lunch table, wait to be chosen for a pick up sports game, and search for someone to walk and talk with in the hallway. We've all been there, right? Heck, let's be honest, we're still there. We all want to fit in. And when we don't feel like we're fitting in, it's really, really easy to give up trying to find our place. Instead of acknowledging our own gifts, our own community, and our own purpose, we prefer the less-complicated option of declaring that we just don't fit in, and that we might as well forget it. Do you ever feel that way as a Christian? That maybe you're not doing your part, or you haven't discovered your specific mission from God, or you're doing it all wrong, or you're not sure where to go next, or that person is so much holier than you, or I don't serve any significant purpose in the Church? And in those moments, it's really tempting to write off your mission as non-existent and ever-unattainable. But the Church? We're not letting you get away that easy. Saint Paul recognized from the earliest roots of Christianity that we all play a part that matters. As the Father's children, as members of Christ's Body, and as temples of the Holy Spirit, we are vital, essential, and irreplaceable in the mission of the Church. We are all needed. We can't look at one another and say, "I don't need you," or "I'm more important than you." In His wisdom, the Lord granted us various and differing gifts, roles, and purposes, but these are reliant upon our teamwork. We all need each other to function. If one of us suffers, in a mystical way, we all suffer. And we all rejoice together, too. [bctt tweet="If one of us suffers, in a mystical way, we all suffer."] So as we go about our day and week, let's remember that, even in the smallest of our faithful duties, we are giving life to the Body and supporting one another. We each serve a particular purpose, and we are most whole when we function together. photo credit Olivia Spears is a middle school religion teacher turned SAHM who is married to her high school best friend. You can find out more about her here.