2023년 2월 17일 연중 제6주간 금요일
제1독서
창세기.11,1-9
1 온 세상이 같은 말을 하고 같은 낱말들을 쓰고 있었다.
2 사람들이 동쪽에서 이주해 오다가
신아르 지방에서 한 벌판을 만나 거기에 자리 잡고 살았다.
3 그들은 서로 말하였다. “자, 벽돌을 빚어 단단히 구워 내자.”
그리하여 그들은 돌 대신 벽돌을 쓰고, 진흙 대신 역청을 쓰게 되었다.
4 그들은 또 말하였다.
“자, 성읍을 세우고 꼭대기가 하늘까지 닿는 탑을 세워 이름을 날리자.
그렇게 해서 우리가 온 땅으로 흩어지지 않게 하자.”
5 그러자 주님께서 내려오시어
사람들이 세운 성읍과 탑을 보시고 6 말씀하셨다.
“보라, 저들은 한 겨레이고 모두 같은 말을 쓰고 있다.
이것은 그들이 하려는 일의 시작일 뿐,
이제 그들이 하고자 하는 것은 무엇이든 못할 일이 없을 것이다.
7 자, 우리가 내려가서 그들의 말을 뒤섞어 놓아,
서로 남의 말을 알아듣지 못하게 만들어 버리자.”
8 주님께서는 그들을 거기에서 온 땅으로 흩어 버리셨다.
그래서 그들은 그 성읍을 세우는 일을 그만두었다.
9 그리하여 그곳의 이름을 바벨이라 하였다.
주님께서 거기에서 온 땅의 말을 뒤섞어 놓으시고,
사람들을 온 땅으로 흩어 버리셨기 때문이다.
복음
마르코.8,34ㅡ9,1
그때에 34 예수님께서 제자들과 함께 군중을 가까이 부르시고
그들에게 말씀하셨다.
“누구든지 내 뒤를 따르려면
자신을 버리고 제 십자가를 지고 나를 따라야 한다.
35 정녕 자기 목숨을 구하려는 사람은 목숨을 잃을 것이고,
나와 복음 때문에 목숨을 잃는 사람은 목숨을 구할 것이다.
36 사람이 온 세상을 얻고도 제 목숨을 잃으면 무슨 소용이 있느냐?
37 사람이 제 목숨을 무엇과 바꿀 수 있겠느냐?
38 절개 없고 죄 많은 이 세대에서 누구든지 나와 내 말을 부끄럽게 여기면,
사람의 아들도 아버지의 영광에 싸여 거룩한 천사들과 함께 올 때에
그를 부끄럽게 여길 것이다.”
9,1 예수님께서 또 그들에게 말씀하셨다. “내가 진실로 너희에게 말한다.
여기에 서 있는 사람들 가운데에는 죽기 전에
하느님의 나라가 권능을 떨치며 오는 것을 볼 사람들이 더러 있다.”
February 17, 2023
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Mass : http://www.catholictv.com/shows/daily-mass
: https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyTVMass
Bible : http://www.usccb.org/bible/
Reading 1
The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words.
While the people were migrating in the east,
they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.
They said to one another,
“Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.”
They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city
and a tower with its top in the sky,
and so make a name for ourselves;
otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.”
The LORD came down to see the city and the tower
that they had built.
Then the LORD said: “If now, while they are one people,
all speaking the same language,
they have started to do this,
nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do.
Let us then go down and there confuse their language,
so that one will not understand what another says.”
Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth,
and they stopped building the city.
That is why it was called Babel,
because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world.
It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down;
he sees all mankind.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
From his fixed throne he beholds
all who dwell on the earth,
He who fashioned the heart of each,
he who knows all their works.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Gospel
Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the Gospel will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
What could one give in exchange for his life?
Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words
in this faithless and sinful generation,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of
when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
He also said to them,
“Amen, I say to you,
there are some standing here who will not taste death
until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
Jesus says: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” I find this a wonderful verse to reflect upon as we prepare to enter the season of Lent.
Let us think about this and the challenges of humanity as we strive to follow Jesus’ words.
What does it mean to deny oneself? We must take a selfless approach to things. Surrender to Jesus. He leads and we follow. This is tough as there must be an element of extreme trust to accomplish this. One of my favorite images of this is that of the Good Shepherd and his sheep. As I reflect on the image of the Good Shepherd, I feel peace and protection. I think it’s easier to surrender in an environment of trust safety.
Take up your cross. Does this mean that we literally carry heavy burdens? Maybe—however when I dig a bit deeper, I remember the experience of Jesus carrying his cross. He was mocked, spat upon, and beaten in public. He knew he was walking to his death. Consider a time when you felt rejection due to your beliefs. Perhaps taking up one’s cross involves loving your enemies and forgiving. We will witness the ultimate in forgiveness during Lent when we recall Jesus pleading forgiveness for his killers as he looks to them from the cross. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
“Follow me.” The words are much simpler than the actual task. Why is it so difficult to always follow Jesus?
- Humans are born with sin and are inherently self-centered.
- We tend to take the path of least resistance. Why would somebody choose to take a difficult choice?
- Trust is a critical component of any relationship—and it can be hard, particularly for those who have experienced any past betrayal.
Allow me to go back to the image of the Good Shepherd. Every image of the Good Shepherd I have seen consists of a kind, gentle looking person who knows and loves each lamb and would do anything to protect each lamb in the flock.
When we take time to nourish our relationship with Jesus, it becomes a bit easier follow Jesus’ direction for today. Let's take some time to surrender ourself to the Good Shepherd. Let's pray on the challenges that prevent us from fully denying ourselves, taking up our cross and following Jesus—especially as we embark on the forty days of Lent.
“You must accept your cross; if you bear it courageously, it will carry you to Heaven.” -- St. John Vianney
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
SKY-DIVING
“It was from that place that He scattered them all over the earth.” —Genesis 11:9
We are divided, fragmented, even shattered. Even our divisions are divided and sub-divided. Our different languages, nationalities, and denominations have cut the human race and even the body of Christ into hundreds of thousands of pieces.
Pride is the cause of our divisions and divisiveness. Like the builders of the tower of Babel, we want to make a name for ourselves and make monuments to ourselves reaching high into the sky (see Gn 11:4). We want to be better, superior to others, to stand apart, that is, be divided (see Lk 18:9ff).
Jesus contradicts human pride. He made a name for Himself by dying on Calvary, and His monument in the sky was a cross. By the blood flowing from His crucified body, Jesus reconciles us and makes the two of us one (Col 1:20; Eph 2:14). As we deny ourselves and take up the cross (Mk 8:34), we possess “the one love, united in spirit and ideals” (Phil 2:2). In Jesus, we “never act out of rivalry or conceit” (Phil 2:3). “Let all parties think humbly of others as superior to themselves, each of you looking to others’ interests rather than to his own. Your attitude must be that of Christ” (Phil 2:3-5).
Prayer: Father, may I die to self to bring about unity within the Church (see Jn 11:51-52).
Promise: “Whoever would preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will preserve it.” —Mk 8:35
Praise: The Seven Founders of the Order of Servites stepped out in faith by forsaking their prosperity to lead a life of prayer and penance.
http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/
What is the most important investment you can make with your life? Jesus poses some probing questions to challenge our assumptions about what is most profitable and worthwhile. In every decision of life we are making ourselves a certain kind of person. The kind of person we are, our character, determines to a large extent the kind of future we will face and live. It is possible that some can gain all the things they set their heart on, only to wake up suddenly and discover that they missed the most important things of all. Of what value are material things if they don't help you gain what truly lasts in eternity. Neither money nor possessions can buy heaven, mend a broken heart, or cheer a lonely person.
God gives without measure - we give all we have in return
Jesus asks the question: What will a person give in exchange for his life? Everything we have is an out-right gift from God. We owe him everything, including our very lives. It's possible to give God our money, but not ourselves, or to give him lip-service, but not our hearts. A true disciple gladly gives up all that he or she has in exchange for an unending life of joy and happiness with God. God gives without measure. The joy he offers no sadness or loss can diminish.
The cross of Christ leads to victory and freedom from sin and death. What is the cross which Jesus Christ commands me to take up each day? When my will crosses with his will, then his will must be done. To know the Lord Jesus Christ is to know the power of his saving death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of faith to know Jesus personally, power to live the gospel faithfully, and courage to witness to others the joy and truth of the gospel. Are you ready to lose all for Jesus Christ in order to gain all with Jesus Christ?
Lord Jesus Christ, I want to follow you as your disciple. I gladly offer all that I have to you. Take and use my life as a pleasing sacrifice of praise to your glory.
Psalm 112:1-6
1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house; and his righteousness endures for ever.
4 Light rises in the darkness for the upright; the LORD is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered for ever.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Would you follow Christ?, by Caesarius of Arles, 470-542 A.D.
"When the Lord tells us in the Gospel that anyone who wants to be his follower must renounce himself, the injunction seems harsh; we think he is imposing a burden on us (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23). But an order is no burden when it is given by one who helps in carrying it out. To what place are we to follow Christ if not where he has already gone? We know that he has risen and ascended into heaven; there, then, we must follow him. There is no cause for despair - by ourselves we can do nothing, but we have Christ's promise...
"One who claims to abide in Christ ought to walk as he walked. Would you follow Christ? Then be humble as he was humble. Do not scorn his lowliness if you want to reach his exaltation. Human sin made the road rough. Christ's resurrection leveled it. By passing over it himself, he transformed the narrowest of tracks into a royal highway. Two feet are needed to run along this highway; they are humility and charity. Everyone wants to get to the top - well, the first step to take is humility. Why take strides that are too big for you - do you want to fall instead of going up? Begin with the first step, humility, and you will already be climbing." (excerpt from SERMONS 159, 1.4-6)
Meditations may be
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