Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Here are the readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, February 2, 2014:
Malachi 3: 1-4
Psalm 24: 7-10
Hebrew 2: 14-18
Luke 2: 22-40

An older name for this feast is Candlemas- and the tradition held that people would bring their candles to be blessed.  The candles refer to Simeon's words in the Gospel, referring to Jesus as the light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for the Israelite. It is only at this time that people other countries, e.g. Italy, take down their Christmas decorations (hey, Winter darkness is still in full swing, we still need to be reminded of the joy brought to us by the Light of the World!).

Above all, these readings speak to us of the strength of well-placed hope. God does not disappoint. God may not work according to OUR timeline, but God remembers God's promises.  In what or whom do YOU place your hope?

Another Catholic tradition that will be celebrated in many parishes this weekend is the Blessing of the Throats in commemoration of the feast of St. Blase on February 3. For more information about this tradition, please click here.

The topic for the Catechumenate this Sunday is Tradition and traditions.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here are the readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 26, 2014:
Isaiah 8: 23 - 9: 3
Psalm 27: 1, 4, 13-14
1 Corinthians 1: 10-13, 17
Matthew 4: 12-23

How do you respond to uncertainty? In the Gospel this week, Jesus' cousin John, the one to whom Jesus went to mark the beginning of his public ministry (and of whom Jesus was probably a follower), has been arrested (soon to face the fate of most effective prophets). In Matthew's account, John's arrest happens immediately after Jesus' 40 days of temptation in the desert, time during which he clarified the nature of his own mission.

I'd venture that it was as a result of that time of reflection that gave Jesus the courage and motivation for his reaction to John's arrest. He didn't go into hiding. On the contrary, he moved to a bigger town (Capernaum) and began to gather followers of his own. Convinced of the truth of his message, Jesus begins the process of transforming the world, person by person. And for those fishermen to drop their nets and change their lives from a simple yet clear invitation, there must have been some hole in their spirit and/or something deeply attractive about Jesus.

The story of the Gospel is about real people. It tells us how God's love for us, encountered in a special way through the person of Jesus, can call us --- not so much OUT of ourselves--- as INTO our true selves.

• Who in your life is an inspiration, who cause you to want to be your best self?
• When have you felt called to change your life? Why? Where did/do you find support?
• In what ways can you help Jesus 'catch people' ?

The topic for the Catechumenate this Sunday is "Being Called"
The next Inquiry session is Tuesday, January 28.
The final Mystagogia Session will be Sunday, February 9.