Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time,
January 22, 2012:

Jonah 3: 1-5, 10
Psalm 25: 4-9
1 Corinthians 7: 29-31
Mark 1: 14-20

What, didn't Jesus call these guys in LAST week's Gospel?! True, John's Gospel account last week, happening at an earlier time (before John the Baptist's arrest) describes some initial encounters with Jesus. The immediacy of the apostles' dropping everything in Mark's account makes more sense if we realize that this WASN'T  their first meeting with him. And to complicate matters further, the Gospels were not written as a history book, detailing in tight chronology exactly what happened when and where. The evangelists were concerned with telling the story of who Jesus was and what he did, and crafting the telling of that truth within a context that made sense to their audience.

We see here in the Gospel- as in the first reading for the people of Ninevah- an invitation that requires decisive action. Repent! Follow Me! (and Get Ready! for good measure in the second reading)  It brings a whole new level of meaning to the old phrase, "he who hesitates is lost", doesn't it?

• Is there some decision you've been delaying, some action you've been putting off?
• Why? What are the consequences of saying 'yes'? Of saying 'no' or 'later'?
• How or in what/who do you find confidence for significant decisions?

 The topic for the Catechumenate this Sunday is "Ecumenism" (We are in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity)
Mystagogia will meet this Sunday at 10:45am in the small chapel off the courtyard.
Inquiry is Tuesday evening, January 24.

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time- Year B

Here are the readings for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time,
January 15, 2012:

1 Samuel 3: 3b-10, 19
Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-10
1 Corinthians 6: 13-15a, 17-20
John 1: 35-42

• When did you first hear about Jesus, and from whom? Can you even remember, or has the sense of God always been a part of your life?
• When faced with big decisions, by what process do you discern your choice? Do you look for guidance from others, do you go off by yourself to mull things over? Make lists? Pray?
• What helps you listen to God's will? 

The Catechumenate Session for Adults will meet this Sunday as usual, and the topic is Sacraments of Vocation. The Catechumenate Session for Youth will also meet as usual this Sunday, and the topic is Faithful Living.

January 8: Epiphany of the Lord

Here are the readings for the Epiphany of the Lord,
January 8, 2012:

Isaiah 60: 1-6
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2: 1-12

I can offer no better reflection than the one at the Catholic Moral Theology Blog for this feast. Please, take a few minutes and read the entry. Blessings of the Christmas Season!