Second Week of Ordinary Time: Jan. 14 - 20, 2007

Abstract

He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." Mark 3:10-11The Second Week in Ordinary Time|On the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Wedding Feast at Cana is the center of John's Gospel. It tells of Jesus' first public miracle. He deflects his mother when she tells him the bride and groom have run out of wine but she understands what her son needs. "Do whatever he tells you" she instructs the servants. Jesus has them draw water which is changed into wine. "Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him."|Wednesday is the Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot, who gave away his inheritance and spent his hermit life working with the poor.|The first reading this week continues with Paul's Letter to the Hebrews. Written to inspire and encourage the community in its faith, he exhorts them "not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises."|As we begin Mark's Gospel on the weekdays, Jesus is asked why his disciples don't fast. He challenges the religious leaders to have a completely open mind and heart to his teaching because "new wine is poured into fresh wineskins." Jesus is the Lord of the sabbath, bringing a new freedom. It is only chapter 3 in the gospel, but because Jesus heals a withered hand on the sabbath, the Pharisees already seek to kill him. Jesus withdraws and people from the surrounding regions come to him, and even the demons know who he is. Jesus names twelve Apostles to be with him, to preach and to drive out demons. Jesus' relatives think he's "out of his mind" because so many people are coming to him that he can't even eat.|The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time begins to take us through Luke's Gospel. We will follow it each week until the Lent and Easter seasons begin. It introduces Jesus as returning to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit" where he goes to the synagogue and teaches from Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor." He ends with the stunning words "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."Daily Prayer This Week|Ordinary Time is the longest Season of the Church year. Its root word "ordinal" and doesn't mean "ordinary" but "counted time." Week after week, we are following the scriptures, and learning from them, in this season whose first part takes us to Lent. It is an important time to continue to work on our habits of focusing our desires early in the day and talking with the Lord throughout the day, in the background of our busy lives. This is how we become "Contemplatives in action" and find intimacy with God without leaving the context of our real circumstances of our lives.|We hear people say "I don't have time to pray." With this type of focusing and active consciousness, we find ourselves surprised at the time we really do have. There are dozens of times in all of our days during which our minds are occupied with something: a song, re-playing the last event, practicing a conversation with someone, having an imaginary argument with someone, thinking through the "to do" list of the day. We can learn to fill these times with whatever we choose. If we choose to let it be about our relationship with our Lord, it transforms our lives.|It all begins with our mornings. This week, when we first get up and perhaps for a few moments in the shower or getting dressed, let's tell the Lord that what we desire today is to be more conscious of how what we do this day is responding to his call to me to be his disciple. Then, during the day, in those moments while driving or shopping or walking down the hall to a meeting, we can talk about how we are living our call in this or that activity we are engaged in. That conversation may get more detailed and specific in this or that set of events.|Each evening, for even a few moments, we can review our day's momentary conversations, recognizing the moments of real connection and grace and giving thanks for them, and resolving to take even greater advantage of these opportunities the next day.|Dear Lord, at times, my heart is quite sluggish. Give me hope today. Lift my spirits and give me perspective. When I find myself stiff and inflexible, make me into a new wineskin to receive the alive, new wine with which you wish to fill me. And let me be open to your call to discipleship today. What are the opportunities to preach your Word today? Where can I drive out demons, rather than sit with their discouragement and division? Please fill my home, my workplace, my heart with your Spirit, that I might join you in bringing good news for the poor.