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'Lord's Day': Renewing relationship with God
An acquaintance and I were discussing the relative merits of parishes in our part of the city. We compared music ministries, hospitality, size of the assembly, and other characteristics.
Ultimately, though, he decided that for Sunday Mass he liked "Parish X" the best "because the pastor there gives the shortest homilies."
He certainly wouldn't have liked the Liturgy of the Word described in this week's first reading. Ezra was leading the people of Israel in a celebration of covenant renewal with Yahweh, which required the reading of the entire Law so that those who had not been present with Moses at Sinai could commit to it anew.
Third Sunday
in Ordinary Time
(Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007)
Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Psalms 19:8-10, 15
1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
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But "from daybreak to midday?" With children? I can't fathom all of those people sitting still that long, much less "listening attentively." And yet they acknowledged God's covenant love for them, responded with tears, worship, and joyful feasting, considering the day as holy, as time well spent.
The Gospel gives us another Liturgy of the Word, this time in a synagogue in Galilee. It was on a "Sabbath," the day they were commanded to set aside for the Lord.
From the scroll of Isaiah, Jesus read aloud a prophetic promise of incredibly good news - prisoners set free, sight restored, oppression ceasing. Then he claimed that this promise already had been fulfilled in their hearing. Not your ordinary Sabbath service in the local synagogue!
But the truth is, every Sabbath celebration, every "Lord's Day," is extraordinary, whether the homily is long or short, the music sublime or simply tolerable. It's extraordinary because it is the opportunity for us to reflect as a people on the great things our God has done for us. It is a time to renew our covenant relationship with the Lord who committed himself to us at creation, at Sinai, at Calvary - and who commits himself to us anew in every eucharistic celebration.
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Reflection questions
• How have you ignored the Lord's command to observe the Sabbath?
• What is one small change you can make to keep the Lord's day holy?
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While it is tempting to check our watches and think about how many obligations we have that day, it is important to remember that even God rested on the seventh day of creation. The third commandment is to "keep holy the Lord's day." God did not ordain a Sabbath for his benefit, but for ours.
In our hectic, demanding lives, let us remember that Sabbath, the day devoted to the Lord and to our relationship with him, is time well spent.
This column is presented in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.
This week's readings
Week of January 21 - 27, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Reading II: 1 Cor 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 17
Gospel: Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
Monday, January 22, 2007
Reading I: Heb 9:15, 24-28
Gospel: Mk 3:22-30
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Reading I: Heb 10:1-10
Gospel: Mk 3:31-35
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Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church
Reading I: Heb 10:11-18
Gospel: Mk 4:1-20
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Reading I: Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22
Gospel: Mk 16:15-18
Friday, January 26, 2007
Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops
Reading I: 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5
Gospel: Mk 4:26-34
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Reading I: Heb 11:1-2, 8-19
Gospel: Mk 4:35-41
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Pope's Prayer Intentions
January General Intention
Peace. That in our violent time, bishops may continue to show the way of peace and understanding among peoples.
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January Mission Intention
Church in Africa. That the Church in Africa may be a witness of the Good News of Christ and be committed to the promotion of reconciliation and peace.
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Prayer for St. Raphael Cathedral
O God,
Whose word is like fire,
who spoke to Your servant Moses in the burning bush;
who led Your people Israel out of bondage
with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night:
hear Your people as we call upon You
in both need and gratitude.
May the Cathedral fire purify Your Church
in the Diocese of Madison
so that our hearts may burn with the knowledge
that Your Church is built upon the bedrock
of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the intercession of Saint Raphael,
Your messenger of healing,
in union with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI,
and with our Bishop, Robert C. Morlino,
may we find comfort in our affliction
and the courage to proclaim
the Good News of Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
Amen.
For more prayer resources visit the Office of Worship's Web page at www.straphael.org/~office_of_worship/
(Click on the link on the main page.)
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