SUNDAY READINGS MEDITATION

In an effort to bring each person closer to Christ through Scripture, this space will be dedicated each week to personal meditation on the Sunday Mass readings. You will find a short background on the scripture, a link to the readings on the USCCB website, and personal reflection questions designed to help you apply the Word to your life. It is recommended that you write down your thoughts in a journal. As you ponder each part of scripture write down your first impressions and questions that are raised in your mind. Then copy the reflection questions that are provided. Take whatever time you need to meditate and pray, then journal the insights the questions bring forward. This will serve as a valuable spiritual diary over time. Any questions or comments please direct to the SRB Bible Study Coordinator, Veronica Wright.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

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February 19, 2012 Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Part 1 – What’s the Story?

Today marks the last Sunday in ordinary time before the Lenten season. We have been hearing stories of healing the sick and casting out demons, now today Jesus takes a step further by forgiving a person’s sins,  it  is “the first time in the gospels that Jesus commends the faith of a person or persons who come to Him.” (Hahn, Breaking the Bread).  As the first reading indicates, God is giving his people “something new,” namely the person of Jesus who will forgive sin. Paul embraces Christ so profoundly that we can be assured through him that there is no maybe in God. Everything proclaimed in God’s promises come to us through Jesus, the eternal “YES!”

Part 2 – Word for Word

Find the Sunday readings for February 19, 2012 at: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021912.cfm

Part 3 ­Ponder the Word

Have you ever prayed for a friend? What were the results of your prayer? In today’s Gospel we are presented with that very same situation. The faith of the friends of the paralytic, as well as his own faith in Jesus, moves them to bring him into Christ’s presence in a new way...through the roof! The first reading tells us that same thing; God is giving us a new way to come before Him.

Journal Questions

Reread the Gospel story. In place of the paralytic, imagine yourself on the mat. Dependent on others to bring you to Jesus you can imagine there is not much you can do for yourself. Isn’t that the truth of our relationship with God? There is not much we can do for ourselves to bring about our salvation. We can only come before him – however we are able – and submit ourselves to his healing. Notice Jesus heals our sins first.  As you imagine yourself as the one in need, respond to Jesus’ statement “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Write down your conversation with Jesus.

In praying for the healing of friends, have you allowed doubt to impede the healing process? Write a prayer for a friend in need proclaiming unyielding faith in the power of God to be in control of the situation.

Is there a place in your life that God is offering you something new? Do you have the faith to meet his offer? Remember God’s words from the first reading, “I remember your sins no more,"  and reach up to God as the paralytic did, taking the hand of Jesus and walking in a new light.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, sometimes I dwell on the past, but you tell me “remember not the events of the past” – help me to see all things new in you, help my faith that I might be healed in soul, mind and body. Give me the confidence to know that you are not a God of ‘maybe’ but the God whose promises are fulfilled in Christ and Christ alone.

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FEBRUARY 12, 2012 SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Part 1 – What’s the Story?

In the Old Testament reading from Leviticus the guidelines are set forth to ensure that those with leprosy remain separated from the general community. The Hebrew word Zara’at refers to any skin disease including leprosy. Leprosy was not as contagious as we have been led to believe, rather the segregation was to highlight that the person “was infected by God [because he had] transgressed His laws; a divine visitation for evil thoughts and evil deeds.” Thus they were “unclean” and had to be prevented from “morally infecting[ing] others.” (jewishencyclopedia.com)  It was important to remain “clean” in order to be able to properly worship God. In New Testament times we see this illustrated in the story of the Good Samaritan when the priest refused to touch the injured man in order to remain ritually clean. Yet in today’s Gospel we see Jesus ignore this most basic law in order to heal the leper. Paul exhorts us to imitate Christ as he does; to do everything for God’s glory – including to forgive as Jesus does. We can pray the psalm with the confidence of the forgiven for he will fill us with joy and salvation.

Part 2 – Word for Word

Find the Sunday readings for February 12, 2012 at: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021212.cfm

Part 3 ­Ponder the Word

“Unclean! Unclean!” These should have been the words of the leper who approached Jesus in today’s Gospel. His skin disease set him apart as ritually unclean and the practice was to let people know by stating this as he approached. Yet this person approaches Jesus confidently – even boldly, saying “If you wish, you can make me clean.” In this short statement we learn that the leper recognizes Jesus has the ability not only to physically heal him but to render him clean in the eyes of God. His sins can be forgiven. Do we approach Jesus with the same confidence or do we separate ourselves because of our sin, feeling unworthy to be in the presence of God? While the Old Testament laws precluded the morally and physically “unclean” from mingling with the “clean,” the love of Christ tells us to come to him and be healed.

Journal Questions

Describe a time when have you felt isolated from the faith community.  Were you a victim of segregation or “self inflicted” separation from others?

Put yourself in the scene with Jesus and the leper; imagine you are a law abiding Jew watching this scene unfold. How would you react? Now put yourself in the place of the leper. Imagine yourself at Jesus feet uttering the words, “you can make me clean.” Write down your thoughts and feelings.

Paul tells us not to give offense to others in order that they may be saved. Can you think of a time when you have offended others in the name of Christ? What does this mean in our daily walk? How can you imitate Christ without offense?

Prayer

Reread the psalm and make it your prayer after confession. Especially focus on the cause and effect statement – “I confess my faults to the Lord, and you took away the guilt of my sin.” Now believe it!! Your sins are forgiven because He wills it!

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February 5, 2012 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Part 1 – What’s the Story?

Today’s readings seem to take us all over the place, but looking closely we can see some interesting connections. The first reading recalls the iconic suffering hero, Job. His lamentation on his condition is depressing! He is so low that he cannot see life as anything but drudgery. But this is only a segment in a story that moves through the suffering to victorious joy. (Read the happy ending in Chapter 42). Then in the Psalm we are encouraged, God heals us in our suffering, he binds up our wounds; not only our physical wounds but the wounds of our heart and mind. Then we read about Jesus – the Great Healer. He heals the mother-in-law of Peter and then cures all that come to him for healing. He untiringly moves on from town to town preaching and healing all who will listen. With the same zeal, Paul tells us that his mission is to share the Gospel; he does all that is necessary for its sake.  As you read through the scripture imagine yourself as each of the main characters. You’re Job, you’re Paul, etc. see how your understanding is affected using this method. (This is part of Lectio Divina.)

Part 2 – Word for Word

Find the Sunday readings for February 5, 2012 at: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020512.cfm

Part 3 ­Ponder the Word

Paul and Jesus share an enthusiasm for their mission that compels one to wonder, “Why?” There words and actions are centered on the will of the Father. Paul says he has become all things to all. Jesus looks for opportunities to preach, “let us go to the nearby villages that I may preach there also.” Paul and Jesus know their purpose. Can we say the same thing? Ignatius tells that we must “consider[s] first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state…” (Gallagher, Discerning the Will of God) Despite the troubles he endures, Job remains true to his purpose as defined by Ignatius, “I follow faithfully the road he chooses, and never wander to either side. I always do what God commands; I follow his will, not my own desires.” (Job 23:11) Job’s suffering, Paul’s commitment and Jesus’ zeal show us in different ways how to find happiness.

Journal Questions

Reread the Psalm as your personal prayer in times of suffering. Remember that nothing is too big for God. Write in your journal the wounds that need healing and continue to praise and call on the Lord “who heals the brokenhearted.” (Psalm 147:3a)

Notice that in the Gospel Jesus discerns the will of God through prayer, “he left and went off to a deserted place where he prayed” (Mk 1:35). Throughout the book of Job, he complains and laments in his prayer. Even in his suffering he prays to God, tells him his thoughts and feelings. Don’t be afraid to tell God what you think. In your journal write a prayer that is honest, that expresses all you feel. Then ask God to help you through the suffering and help you understand it.

Job's friends try to help him in this time of trial. Who do you know who needs a friend right now? How can you help them through their suffering?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the life you gave me has been blessed with joy and suffering. Help me to focus on the joy and help me through times of trouble. I know you are there with me in my pain, for you heal the brokenhearted and I praise you for this. Amen.