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January B – Season of New Beginning. It calls us to return to the Lord for a “do-over” As we celebrate the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth we are attracted by His overwhelming love. It covers the four weeks of the Epiphany and beginning of Ordinary Time of Year B.
My child, as you enter into the preparation for your January radio show use this outline:
- The vision of Mary is the vision for the world—prepare for the coming of the messiah—realize his coming as he is named “Jesus”
- The Baptism of Jesus shows the new beginning –the washing/immersion removes the “old” and makes way for the new
- Incorporate the message: “I love you, enter the realm of my presence”—beyond repentance, John’s baptism of repentance.
- When the day is done the new beginnings shall be clear.
- Look to the readings. See how “time” and “space” and “focus” changes when the presence and the kingdom enters in.
- You may certainly tell your tale of called by name. Relate it to Jesus called by name and the apostles called to follow individually to be part of a group. I love you all individually and call you to Me. As you accept, as you turn your face toward me you shall recognize the time and the place.
OTL 2008
Season of New Beginnings Transcript Jan B
Recorded Dec. 19, 2008 broadcast on KDUA fm 96.5 during Jan. 2009
Patti Brunner: Welcome to Living Seasons of Change, the show that explores how the Church’s liturgy is connected, from week to week, as we apply the Gospel to our daily lives. Today’s show is the Season of New Beginnings. I’m Patti Brunner and my co-host today is Monsignor David LeSieur, a priest of the Diocese of Little Rock. Welcome Monsignor!
Msgr. David LeSieur: Thank you, Patti, and Happy New Year! We have begun a new calendar year and we are in the second month of the new liturgical year B.
Patti: As we complete the Christmas season and enter the season of the Epiphany, most people are thinking: start the new diet; list the New Year’s resolutions; – turn over the new leaf. Let’s do it right this time! We’re ready for the “do-over”. It’s the same thing with the liturgical season. We are ready for a New Beginning! We are getting our chance to turn back to the Lord; to be called by Him; to be called by name. We are attracted to the overwhelming sense of love that develops as we celebrate the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth.
Msgr.: There is something refreshing about leaving something old behind. Like you said, starting over, and getting a do-over. We’ll never get tired of beginning a new year and new things coming along. The newness can be exciting and frightening at the same time; it’s unsure. Following Jesus might be all that too. We might say, “I’m attracted and I want to know Him better but what’s He going to ask of me? What would I have to do? What do I have to change in my life?” It’s like having a fourth baby. You have three kids already; here comes another one. How is that going to change your life? It will change it. It will change the whole family dynamics. But it’s exciting. It’s a happy time.
Patti Brunner: On January 1st we celebrate Mary, Mother of God. When she had a baby, it not only changed her family dynamics it changed the whole world! Mankind got a “do-over”.
Msgr. David: Mary is the New Eve. She heralded a new period in history—the history of salvation, by conceiving and bearing the Son of God.
Patti: The gospel on January 1 is Luke’s story about the visit of the shepherds coming to the manger. The shepherds told Mary about the angels coming to them out in the field singing “glory to God” and telling the shepherds “today a Savior has been born and these shall be the signs;” “you will find him wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger” So, Mary gives witness to God’s revelation to the shepherds as she holds the baby Jesus and she hears and receives their witness about the savior.
Msgr.: The shepherds made known the messages that had been told them about this child – “all who heard it were amazed”. When people are amazed it can be like the seed that falls in rocky soil. It is very shallow. It springs up quickly but then it withers and fades. But Mary kept all these things reflecting them in her heart. In other words, the seeds were planted more deeply in her heart and she reflected on them and gave them a chance to grow. The people that were amazed might have hung around a little while. But the shepherds went back to the fields. Things went back to normal and Mary is left behind thinking about them, pondering[i] them in her heart. She tried to see connections between the things God was doing.
Patti: She takes this head knowledge and brings it to her heart.
Msgr.: The shepherds corroborate what the angel Gabriel had already told Mary.
Patti: Right! You can imagine Mary in this stable giving birth to her first child and the emotions she was going through, wondering about what the angel Gabriel had said – she was going to be the Mother of God –and she’s here in this stable? And, so, the shepherds, who were lowly and represent the poor, the weak, and the humble of the world, came in with this fantastic news: The angels appeared to them, also!
Msgr.: When her due date came near, Joseph had to go to Bethlehem. There is no room for them in the inn and she is wondering, “Well, what is going on? This is God’s son.”
Patti Brunner: In the simple surroundings where He is born, the lowly and the poor come to worship, to give the Angel’s message that this is truly the Savior.
Msgr. David LeSieur: I think it’s interesting. She has to sit back and think. As she begins to put two and two together and she might think, “I just assumed He would want a nice place. God is really doing something special here.”
Patti: We could relate it to David because David was a shepherd, too. Jesus was of the House of David. So, who better to receive that first word of Christ’s birth than the shepherds? Luke gives us the humble beginning of Christ’s life. As we go on to the Epiphany, we switch to Matthew’s gospel. Instead of shepherds we have the Magi, the Wise Men from the East, the Gentiles, bringing rich gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Msgr.: On the feast of the Epiphany, the first reading from Isaiah says, “All nations shall walk by your light[ii].” This is always seen, I think, as an inclusiveness of the gospel because it includes foreigners. I have always thought it was kind of interesting that the Magi would follow this star, this natural phenomenon, as far as it would lead them. It leads them to Jerusalem and there it stops. It won’t lead them any further until they go and seek advice. They go to Herod; which is a wrong place to go, but they didn’t know that. And Herod asked his wise men, “What about this?” They say, “It’s in scripture. It says it right here” – “5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'”[iii] In other words, the star leads them so far but the scripture has to lead them the rest of the way, the Word of God, so, the star and the scriptures lead them to the right place.
Patti: The natural and the supernatural guide them. Their visit shows us a new beginning, a global way of thinking and a fulfillment of scripture of the coming of the Messiah.
Msgr. David LeSieur: The word Messiah is a “Hebrew word meaning “the anointed one.”… The name Messiah was used among the Israelites for Him alone who was foretold to Adam and Abraham as the Savior from sin and the blessing of all nations. Throughout the Old Testament, prophecies concerning Him are constantly given to sustain the hope in and the desire for His coming. He would have a forerunner; which we know is John the Baptist; His birth of a virgin was foretold; the time of His coming was revealed to Daniel); even the place of His birth was designated; “His reign was described; He would enter the rebuilt Temple; He was to abide among men and would suffer a cruel passion and death at their hands to redeem mankind and was to rise from the dead as a proof of His divinity. When He appeared, the prophecies concerning Him were fulfilled. He was called Christ, which is the same as Messiah, and Jesus, that is, Savior; and the Lamb of God. “Isaiah had foretold that He would be Emmanuel, that is, God with us[iv] .”
Patti: Paul, who was a scripture scholar, has a complete understanding of the meaning of the Messiah for us as a new beginning. The second reading for January 1st, from Paul’s letter to the Galatians, explains that we become the adopted children[v] of God. That is our new beginning: when we are baptized and adopted through Christ.
Msgr.: We are adopted. God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts crying out, “Abba, Father[vi].” We are “no longer slave but a son and as a son also an heir”. That’s definitely a new beginning.
Patti: So, what would be the difference between being a slave and being a son?
Msgr.: A son inherits. A slave would not inherit anything. So, we can inherit what Jesus has inherited. We are heirs of God, heirs with Christ. We are no longer slaves. We stand to inherit everything that Jesus inherits because we are sons of God, adopted sons of God. Being adopted means we are then brought into rightful possession of all that a naturally born son has.
Patti: We would still serve God, whether slave or son, but our focus changes on why we do it.
Msgr.: Out of love; and out of relationship. The slave does it because he is afraid. He is forced into service because he is afraid he will be beaten if he doesn’t. The son serves out of love and respect.
Patti: Then we get to the Ephesians reading on the Epiphany, which calls the Gentiles co-heirs[vii]. Paul reveals the mystery of grace for all time and all people.
Msgr.: Is says, “Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.[viii]” Co-heirs. Why? because, they are grafted onto the tree, adopted. As Christians, Gentiles are brought into the same relationship with God as the Son. Paul is writing to the Ephesians, who are Gentiles. He is saying we are no longer two; we are one, now. We have one God, one Lord, one faith.
Patti: Not just individuals, but whole nations are affected by the coming of Christ. When we look through history – we didn’t have any Christian nations until Constantine?
Msgr.: Constantine issued a manifesto, known as the Edict of Milan, for religious tolerance for Christians in the year 313. Paganism was still the official religion[ix] but no longer obligatory and Christianity received favored status and was no longer persecuted. Legislation modified the Empire to be more in conformity with Christian principals[x].
Patti: When we look at the history of the United States, when it was founded, religious freedoms were guaranteed through the Constitution’s Bill of Rights, even though some states at first discriminated against Catholics. Isn’t our country dedicated to Mary?
Msgr.: Yes. Mary the Immaculate Conception is the patron saint of the United States[xi], declared officially by the 1st Council of Boston in 1846. Mary the Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of the United States of America, Spain, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Patti: And Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of all the Americas[xii]?
Msgr.: Yes. That would be Canada, Mexico, United States, all of South America, and Central America. Pope Pius XII declared Our Lady of Guadalupe the Patroness of the Americas in 1946, a hundred years later.
Patti: Mary is an important patroness for us because her vision is the vision for the world. Like Mary we are all called to prepare for the coming of the Messiah and to realize his coming, and to realize the power of the name “Jesus” given to Mary by God for her child.
Msgr. David LeSieur: Remember the name “Jesus” means “savior”. Following the feasts of Mary Mother of God and the Epiphany we have the Baptism of Jesus.
Patti Brunner: The Baptism of Jesus shows the new beginning. Washing or immersion in water removes the “old” and makes way for the new[xiii]
Msgr. David LeSieur: “Immersion in water symbolizes not only death and purification, but also regeneration and renewal. Thus the two principal effects of baptism for us are purification from sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit.[xiv].
Patti Brunner: We hear in the gospel that Jesus asked John to baptism him and as Jesus rose from the water the Holy Spirit entered into the picture; the Spirit, like a dove, descends upon Him.[xv]”
Msgr. David LeSieur: The voice of John invites us; it challenges us; it brings us. If we heed John’s voice and come to the Jordan, then, hopefully the Spirit can do something with us; change our life radically. The baptism of Jesus reveals that it is the Spirit that causes the big difference and a new beginning.
Patti Brunner: We are given choices for the first and second readings for the Baptism of Jesus, including a passage from Isaiah chapter 42.
Msgr. David LeSieur: “I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement; and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”
Patti: “A light for the nations….” Again, that global promise.
Msgr.: To “Open the eyes of the blind ….bring prisoners out….”
Patti: That is manifested in the gospel where Jesus goes out healing the sick and the blind and casting out devils, which no one has done before. That is certainly a new beginning, too. We start seeing the kingdom manifest as Jesus comes near.
Msgr. David LeSieur: The Gospel of the 4th Sunday of Ordinary time shows Jesus rebuking unclean spirits. Mark reports it as a new teaching with authority[xvi].
Patti Brunner: The other choice for the first reading on the Feast of the Baptism comes from Isaiah 55 where we are invited to “Come to the water”. That theme of invitation continues the next Sunday as Jesus invites his first apostles to “Come and see.”
======Break=======
Patti Brunner: Welcome back, I’m Patti Brunner and I’m talking with Msgr. David LeSieur about the Season of New Beginnings.
Msgr.: In Year B, our scripture readings show John the Baptist manifesting Jesus by pointing Him out as the Lamb of God. Two disciples of John follow Jesus and then stay with Him the rest of the day. Then Andrew manifests Jesus as the Messiah to his brother, Peter. This is from John’s Gospel on the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. On the third Sunday we hear a similar story from Mark. In that gospel, Simon, Andrew, James and John abandoned their nets and followed Jesus.
Patti: What does that tell us about the new beginning? There is something about Jesus that is different that causes people to just drop what they are doing. Even those who were following the “greatest preacher” John the Baptist, stop; those working, fishing for a living, they drop that. The apostles were called individually to be a part of a group.
Msgr.: They drop their nets. There is a “newness” to Jesus that is very attractive and different. I don’t think they know what it is at first. When the two disciples in John’s gospel began to follow at a distance, He turns around and says, “What are you looking for?” And they say, “Where do you stay?” And He says, “Come and see.” It’s the beginning of a new relationship with Him. The next day Andrew goes to look for his brother Peter, saying, “We have found the Messiah.” There is a freshness about Jesus that makes people want to do something new. To leave jobs behind; to leave their nets with their father and leave their loads behind; just see what Jesus is about. “Come and see”. That doesn’t mean they will be perfect disciples. A new relationship is established. He calls people to a New Beginning.
SEE INSERT B (below)
Patti: On the Second Sunday of Ordinary time we also have a reading from 1st Samuel, the calling of the prophet Samuel when he was a child. Samuel had a miraculous birth himself from Hannah. He’s been dedicated to God and he’s living at the temple with the priest, Eli. During the night, he hears a voice. He’s not sure. He thinks it’s Eli calling him. A couple of times he comes and says “Well, what do you want? Here I am.” Eli says, “It wasn’t me.” He goes to bed and there is the voice, again.
Msgr. David LeSieur: After the third time, Eli figures it out that the Lord was calling the boy. Eli tells him the next time to say, “Speak Lord I’m listening.”
Patti Brunner: Have you ever had an experience like that? That you felt a special call by the Lord?
Msgr.: I was quite young when I felt called to be a priest, but it was something that just came on gradually.
Patti: How young were you? It doesn’t say how young Samuel is. He’s just a boy.
Msgr.: I was in grade school when I began thinking about it. I remember telling my third grade teacher, who was a married Catholic woman that I wanted to be a priest. She was pleased. I told my parents separately. Their reaction was very positive. I’m sure that helped, too. I was never discouraged by anyone from being a priest, not even my classmates in grade school when I told them I wanted to go to the seminary – they would joke with me about it but there was never anything discouraging. Sometimes they called me “father”.
Patti: Cute! I had an experience one Christmas Eve very similar to Samuel’s.
Msgr.: Really?
Patti: I did. It was when my daughter Lisa was a baby – I stayed home with Cassie and Lisa while everyone else went to Midnight Mass. I heard my name called and I thought they had come home from Mass.
Msgr.: You were at the house?
Patti: I was at my in-law’s house and in bed when I heard the voice. I said, basically, “I’m still awake; I’m in here.” I kept waiting, and no one showed. I got up because I thought they were visiting in the kitchen. But when I got up the house was completely dark.
Msgr.: Scary?
Patti: No. Not at all. I went back to bed and I heard my name again. Somehow I knew it was the Lord calling my name. I thought, “I’m listening, what is it you want?” He said, “Take care of my people.” I had no idea what that meant. Unlike you, I didn’t tell anybody. I started thinking about who in my parish might need help. There was this one woman who seemed rather lonely. Maybe the Lord wanted me to help her. When I returned home to Russellville after the holidays I began a women’s group called “Friendship Circle” in our parish and I made sure that the woman was included. And I thought to myself, “So, maybe THIS is want the Lord wanted me to do.” Later on, each time an opportunity to serve my parish came up, I would ask the Lord, “Is this what it is you wanted me to do?” The Lord calls all of us. We don’t necessarily hear a voice on Christmas Eve but He is calling each of us to that new beginning. I know that God has called us to do this radio show. He calls us to focus on Him, to turn over that new leaf and focus on Him, to take care of His people and to come closer to Him. In the gospel, He says, “Come and see.”
Msgr.: Did you ever get the feeling you had done what He wanted you to do?
Patti: Sometimes, but there’s always more, when I listen to his call. We can hear His voice many ways. Not necessarily audible like Samuel and the apostles. Sometimes it’s just a sense; or something in the scripture. The Holy Spirit just sends chills over your body when you have that connection.
Msgr.: Sometimes I will read something in scripture that strikes me at a time when I needed to hear it. It was supportive or challenging or whatever. I just feel like God wanted me to read it.
Patti: Yes. It’s like He embedded that word for you to read that day.
Msgr.: I get a publication called “The Bible Today.” It’s published by Liturgical Press. Cackie Upchurch is one of the contributing editors, I think. I was paging through it the other day. There was this article about Isaiah 43:14-21 in which God says, “I am doing something new.[xvii]” So, I read the article. I began to look at the passage of scripture, and read it several times. It just makes me wonder, “what is He doing new?” Everything is new with Him but what specifically regarding me or this church. So, I have been kind of pondering that.
Patti: That’s a good word. On the Third Sunday, Paul tells us time is running out. The world as we know it is passing away. It’s time for something new to happen.
Msgr.: In that passage from Isaiah 43, the article points out that God does say, “I’m doing something new.” He says, “Forget the past.” Basically, “forget what I did in Egypt.” I’m going to surpass that.” “I am going to bring you out of Babylon.” It’s kind of an interesting passage. Isaiah 43:14-21.
Insert A [approx 2 minutes]
Patti: I think that we are in a time that the Lord is going to touch our community in a powerful way–
Msgr.: You say “our community”, what do you mean?
Patti: The city of Rogers is destined for greatness—the generosity of the people as they welcome those who are different, as they feed those who are hungry, as they lead lives that are centered on faith and devotion to God—these attributes shall allow an outpouring of God’s blessing and Divine Mercy. That includes our parish. …Partly because of our dedication to the poor with our pantry, our openness to receive the Hispanic community and minister to people in need; and especially our 24-hour adoration. I think the Lord is going to grant us favor in some way.
Msgr.: It’s like having the Ark of the Covenant as told in 1st Chronicles and 2nd Samuel. David gave the Ark to the house of Obed-edom for three months and their house was blessed[xviii] as long as the Ark was there. David had tried to move the Ark into the city of David, Jerusalem, but the oxen pulling the cart stumbled and Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and he was killed immediately.
Patti: Right. Someone who was not allowed to touch the Ark of the Covenant touched it.
Msgr.: David said, “This is too powerful. Let’s not deal with this right now.” So, he gave it to a family and they were blessed by it. We have the Ark of the Covenant, the Presence of God, here. Maybe we are being blessed more than we know.
Patti: That’s true. Something else to consider is the faithfulness and obedience of the leaders. When the leader stands in the presence of God—is touched by the presence of God—it brings a favor on all of us.
Msgr.: It is the responsibility of every leader to seek the will of the Lord and to pray. I try to spend time in the Chapel every day. I pray my breviary there every day before the Blessed Sacrament. That’s why we should all be praying for our president. His relationship with the Lord affects all of us as a nation.
Patti Brunner: Our personal relationship with God is very exciting and very new, and encourages us to take the Gospel in the context of community. We need that sense of belonging. Mary probably needed those shepherds to show up when they did, to give witness. We can’t just stand alone in our faith.
Msgr.: We have to have the community. We need the structure, the foundation, the liturgy, the support.
Patti: The support. If not for the early Christian community and leadership, we would not have the New Testament scripture. We needed the hierarchy applying the gift of wisdom.
Msgr.: To decide what should be saved and be made available for other disciples. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, for example, wasn’t just meant for the Ephesians. After it was read it wasn’t thrown away. It was copied and passed around.
Patti: Like the scriptures of the Old Testament. On the Third Sunday we have the story of Jonah. Jonah and the whale is a favorite story we tell to children. We don’t get the part about the whale here, we get the end of the story: the effectiveness of Jonah’s preaching and how people changed their hearts.
Msgr.: Scripture says, “When God saw by their actions they had turned from their evil ways He repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.[xix]”
Patti: They got a new beginning. They got a do over. They were going to be destroyed because they were doing things that were evil. Jonah didn’t even want to go there because he was so mad at them. He had judgment against them.
Msgr.: He wanted them destroyed.
Patti: We do that, too. We hear of people messing up and they get caught and we say, “Uh-huh, they deserve that.” That’s sad; it’s not God’s desire. There are so many young people who have left the church for whatever reason. You want God to come up with a new Jonah to walk through their world.
Msgr.: I don’t know what it takes to get them back. I don’t know what caused them to leave.
Patti: We have a whole bible filled with stories of people turning away and coming back.
Msgr.: Sometimes they leave this church and to go another one. They like the way they do things.
Patti: Well, it may be because there is something there at that other church that helps them walk into God’s presence. Of course, we know that find the presence of God within the sacraments of the Church and that with full repentance we have the fullness of grace. But that is not to say that an individual person might be clogged up and if they are receiving communion with sin in their heart, that’s going to drive them out, in my opinion. We all have a built-in longing for the presence of God. And you can find God where ever and whenever you seek him. He will let you find Him.
Msgr. David LeSieur: God calls us to be part of a group. He loves us individually and calls us into his presence. As we accept, as we turn our face toward him we will recognize his presence no matter the time or place.
Patti Brunner: The presence of Jesus changes everything. Enveloped in his love, everything can have new beginning. Through baptism our heritage changes; no longer slaves but sons! Our rights and privileges change as we are adopted by God the Father. Our bloodline changes, our inheritance of the kingdom and all that entails. Our hopes, dreams, aspirations change. Our ability, power, our future, our eternal future. Monsignor, will you close our show with a blessing?
Msgr. David LeSieur: [blessing]
Patti: Thank you Monsignor. To get a copy of the references in today’s show or to read the Liturgical readings please check the website patriarchMinistries.com and to listen to this show or previous broadcasts click paduamedia.com and Living Seasons of Change.
Insert B 2:30 minutes
Patti: There are many ways today we can “come and see” the Lord. St. Ignatius of Loyola called people to “come and see” through his system of silent retreat and spiritual exercises. At the heart of his Spiritual Exercises are rules for discernment.
Msgr.: Read Weeds Among the Wheat by Thomas Greene. He believes “discernment is the essential link between prayer and the active Christian life”. That’s one of the themes of my “Mornings with Monsignor”: Discernment of spirits based on Ignatius of Loyola. The full Ignatian retreat is for 30 days. Some retreat centers offer condensed versions. I have done the eight days version twice. A spiritual director has you meditate using mental re-creation of scenes in scripture.
Patti: I liked the directions in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius book. It says just go as far as you can. Don’t worry if you can’t go any further. The Exercises were approved by the Pope in 1548. If you’re thinking about getting in shape during the New Year, these exercises can do it!
Msgr.: It is not a book you just sit and read.
Patti: No. It’s a workbook. It requires participation and meditation.
Msgr.: And a spiritual director. The exercises were never intended to be used all by themselves, but always under the supervision of a retreat master who could offer appropriate commentary and direction. The Lord gave Ignatius the idea of the retreat during his recovery from a battle. He was a soldier and he got hurt very badly. During his recovery he read a lot of books. He read romance novels and he read the lives of the saints. He began to notice the difference in how he felt after he read each one. Romance novels were very interesting and he enjoyed them but he felt desolation or “down” after he read them. When he read the lives of the saints he felt more consolation—more peace—as he felt close to the Lord and he began to realize there was a difference in how he felt. That was the basis of his whole teaching on discernment of spirits; how you feel.
Patti: St. Ignatius of Loyola realized you will be changed by experiencing the presence of God.
Msgr.: His meditations are very concrete. You meditate on the crucifixion or scenes from the gospel. Very concrete.
Patti: You visualize, you hear, you “smell the surroundings”. Very much a use of your imagination and senses, too.
Msgr.: Yes. Or hear something in your mind’s eye. “Hear the laughing of the waves” for example. Ignatius invites you to come and see, come and hear, come and taste the goodness of the Lord.
[i] NAB Luke 1: “28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.”
Luke 2: 19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
[ii] NAB Isaiah 60: 3 Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.
[iii] NAB Matthew 2: 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'”
[iv] Welcome to the Catholic Church. Harmony Media. Bible dictionary: Messiah. “Hebrew word meaning “the anointed one.” In the Old Testament the high priests and the kings were anointed. But the name Messiah was used among the Israelites for Him alone who was foretold to Adam and Abraham as the Savior from sin and the blessing of all nations (Gen. 3:15; 12:3; 22:18). Throughout the Old Testament, prophecies concerning Him are constantly given to sustain the hope in and the desire for His coming. He would have a precursor (Mal. 3:1); His birth of a virgin was foretold (Is. 7:14; Jer. 31:22); the time of His coming was revealed to Daniel (Dan. 9:24); even the place of His birth was designated (Mic. 5:2); His reign was described (Jer. 23:5); He would enter the rebuilt Temple (Hag. 2:8; Mal. 3:1); He was to abide among men and would stiffer a cruel passion and death at their hands to redeem mankind (Is. 42:1-4; 53:1-12); and was to rise from the dead as a proof of His divinity (Zeph. 3:8).
When He appeared, the prophecies concerning Him were fulfilled. He was called Christ, which is the same as Messiah, and Jesus, that is, Savior (Matt. 1:21, 25; 26:68; John 1:41; 4:25); and the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36). Isaias (7:14) had foretold that He would be Emmanuel, that is, God with us.
[v] NAB Galatians 4: 6 As proof that you are children,* God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
[vi] RSV Galatians 4: 6* And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.
[vii] RSV Ephesians 3: 6* that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. NAB 6 that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
[viii] NAB Ephesians 3: 6 that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
[ix] Edict of Milan. Welcome to the Catholic Church. Harmony Media. Catholic Church History. Caesaro-Papist Imperialism (313-565). “ A 3) Pagan establishment. Paganism does not cease to be the official religion, as we know from subsequent history, but it is no longer obligatory and will be evaded or slighted by the Christian officials. Pagan insignia and rites continue in the name of the imperial Pont maximum and of the senate and people.”
[x] Welcome to the Catholic Church. Harmony Media. Catholic Church History. Caesaro-Papist Imperialism (313-565). Constantine. B (2) “Legislation throughout the Empire was gradually modified in a spirit more in conformity with Christian principles.”
[xi] http://www.aquinasandmore.com/index.cfm/title/The-Immaculate-Conception–Patroness-of-the-US/FuseAction/store.displayArticle/article/124/ This aspect of Mary has become one of the most popular Marian devotions, and many dioceses and churches consider Mary the Immaculate Conception their patron. She is the patroness of the United States with this title, declared so officially by the first Council of Baltimore in 1846.
[xii] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe
Pontifical Pronouncements on the Virgin of Guadalupe
With the Brief Non est equidem of May 25, 1754, Pope Benedict XIV declared Our Lady of Guadalupe patron of what was then called New Spain, corresponding to Spanish Central and Northern America, and approved liturgical texts for the Holy Mass and the Breviary in her honour. Pope Leo XIII granted new texts in 1891 and authorized coronation of the image in 1895. Pope Saint Pius X proclaimed her patron of Latin America in 1910. In 1935 Pope Pius XI proclaimed her principal patron of the Philippines and had a monument in her honor erected in the Vatican Gardens. Pope Pius XII declared the Virgin of Guadalupe “Queen of Mexico and Empress of the Americas” in 1945, and “Patroness of the Americas” in 1946. Pope John XXIII invoked her as “Mother of the Americas” in 1961, referring to her as Mother and Teacher of the Faith of All American populations, and in 1966 Pope Paul VI sent a Golden Rose to the shrine.[44]
[xiii] CCC 1265 Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte “a new creature,” an adopted son of God, who has become a “partaker of the divine nature,”69 member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit.
[xiv] CCC 1262 The different effects of Baptism are signified by the perceptible elements of the sacramental rite. Immersion in water symbolizes not only death and purification, but also regeneration and renewal. Thus the two principal effects are purification from sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit.
[xv] Mark 1: 9 It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. 11 And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
[xvi] NAB Mark 1: “27 All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.””
[xvii]NAB Isaiah 43: “18 Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not. 19 See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.”
[xviii]RSV 1 Chronicles 13: 7 And they carried the ark of God upon a new cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio* were driving the cart. 8 And David and all Israel were making merry before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets. 9 And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and he smote him because he put forth his hand to the ark; and he died there before God. 11 And David was angry because the LORD had broken forth upon Uzzah; and that place is called Perez-uzza* to this day. 12 And David was afraid of God that day; and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” 13 So David did not take the ark home into the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14 And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months; and the LORD blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.
2 Samuel 6: 6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there because he put forth his hand to the ark; * and he died there beside the ark of God. 8 And David was angry because the LORD had broken forth upon Uzzah; and that place is called Perez-uzzah, * to this day. 9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” 10 So David was not willing to take the ark of the LORD into the city of David; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 And the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months; and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household. 12* And it was told King David, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing; 13 and when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.p 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the horn.
[xix] NAB Jonah 3: “10 When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.”
Outline For Season of New Beginning including Epiphany
Getting a “do-over”.
The vision of Mary is the vision for the world—prepare for the coming of the messiah—realize his coming as he is named “Jesus”.
Revelation to the “world” in the form of ignorant & poor workers: shepherds. At the manger Mary pondered words of angels to shepherds; Mary processes “head” knowledge through her heart. Feast Mary Mother of God set on January 1 after Vatican II by Pope Paul VI. He said, “The purpose of the celebration is to honor the role of Mary in the mystery of salvation and at the same time to sing the praises of the unique dignity thus coming to “the Holy Mother…through whom we have been given the gift of the Author of life.” This same solemnity also offers an excellent opportunity to renew the adoration rightfully to be shown to the newborn Prince of Peace, as we once again hear the good tidings of great joy and pray to God, through the intercession of the Queen of Peace, for the priceless gift of peace.” Jan. 1 is also the observed “World Day of Peace.” Ancient celebration of Mary as the Mother of God began in the 500’sRevelation to the world, the three kings/wise men come and give the gold, frankincense, and myrrh vs. the humble surroundings of the nativity. Epiphany Matthew 2: 1-12 The word Messiah is a Hebrew word meaning “the Anointed One” Adoption vs. slavery. “Abba Father” Gentiles as co-heirs Patronage of Mary for United States “Mary the Immaculate Conception”, and for North America “Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe” The Baptism of Jesus shows the new beginning –the washing/immersion removes the “old” and makes way for the new. Baptism of the Lord Mark 1:7-11
Global promise
“Come and you will see.” John shows us the transformation available as we follow the lives of the first apostles. 2nd Sunday John 1:35-42“Come after me and I will make you fishers of men” Jesus called them from their boat. 3rd Sunday Mark 1:14-20
Jesus incorporates the message: “I love you, enter the realm of my presence”—beyond John’s baptism of repentance. These men are first to enter the realm of the presence of Jesus, to have a spirit to Spirit connection. Enveloped in his love, everything can have new beginning.
Our heritage changes, once we are adopted by God the Father our bloodline changes, our inheritance of the kingdom and all that entails. No longer slaves but sons: our rights and privileges change as our relationship changes to family. Jan 1 Galatians 4:4-7, “Abba, Father.”
The story of Samuel and the priest Eli and the voice of the Lord: “Here I am” “Speak, your servant is listening” 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. 1 Samuel 3:3b-10;19God calls us to wake up out of darkness to the Light. Personal witnesses by Msgr. David LeSieur and Patti Brunner.
“Time is running out.” The “world in present form is passing away” Third Sunday, 1 Corinthians 7:20-31. Blessing for our community. David resting the Ark of the CovenantJonah’s story and the need for a “do-over”. Jonah preached 3 days across Nineveh; people repented were able to change doom prophecy. 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Jonah 3:1-5, 10The presence of Jesus changes everything. Enveloped in his love, everything can have new beginning.
References and Resources
Please note that CCC refers to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, English translation, 2nd Edition,©1994, 1997. United States Catholic Conference, Inc., Libreria Editrice Vaticana. [see link]New American Bible (NAB) readings are referenced from the Lectionary for Mass, for use in the dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition ©1997, 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. [see link]Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright ©1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
Readings for Season of New Beginning (see https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar)
Mary, Mother of God, Jan 1
Numbers 6:22-27″bless the Israelites” [in Christ the blessings manifest]
Galatians 4:4-7 “Abba, Father” [in Christ we become sons & heirs; no longer slaves]
Luke 2:16-21 “manger” Mary pondered words of shepherds & angels; Jesus, name given by angel before he was conceived; at circumcision-8 days-name Jesus;
Epiphany
Isaiah 60:1-6 “Nations shall walk by your light…bearing gold and frankincense Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 “Gentiles are coheirs” [revelation of mystery of grace for all time]
Matthew 2: 1-12 Magi, Herod, Mary saw the 3 Kings/wise men come and give the gold, frankincense and myrrh vs. the humble surroundings
Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 “a bruised reed he shall not break. Set you as a covenant…a light for the nations” to set free prisoners or
Isaiah 55:1-11 “Come to the water!” “”I will renew you with the everlasting covenant”
Acts 10:34-38 at Cornelius house: “God shows no partiality” or
1 John 5 we show our love for God when we keep commandments. “Three testify, the Spirit, the water, and the blood”
Mark 1:7-11 One mightier is coming after me; “I have baptized with water; He will baptize with the Holy Spirit” Jesus baptized by John, coming up out of the water; the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Samuel 3:3b-10;19 “Here I am” Samuel, Eli, “Speak, your servant is listening”
1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 purchased at a price; joined to the Lord, one Spirit with him, your body the temple of the H.S.
John 1:35-42 “behold the Lamb of God” Andrew & 1:”Come and you will see”, later brought brother Simon “You are Simon…you will be called Cephas(Peter)”
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Jonah preached 3 days across Nineveh; people repented were able to change doom prophecy
1 Corinthians 7:20-31 “time is running out” “world in present form is passing away”
Mark 1:14-20 Jesus: “kingdom of God is at hand” Simon & Andrew: “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men” James & John: he called them from their boat
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Deuteronomy 18:15-20 God promised at Horeb to raise up a prophet to speak His words; people begged not to hear God’s voice directly lest they die
1 Corinthians 7:32-35 be free of anxieties, an unmarried man may please the Lord without distraction of pleasing wife
Mark 1:21-28 Jesus taught new with authority; Jesus rebuked unclean spirit
