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Scripture
Psalm 97(98):1-4 Mass of the Day - Responsorial Psalm All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Reflection On January 2, the Church honours Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, faithful defenders of the Church in difficult times, in the fourth century. They remained faithful disciples to the end of their lives. Our calling is to be faithful disciples today, patient with ourselves and those who share our journey in faith as we are 'discipled into a new way of living deeply and slowly'. The 'Song of the Seed' by Macrina Wiederkehr uses the beautiful analogy of unfolding petals to describe this process: Life unfolds a petal at a time slowly. The beauty of the process is crippled when I try to hurry growth. Life has its inner rhythm which must be respected. It cannot be rushed or hurried. Like daylight stepping out of darkness, like morning creeping out of night, life unfolds slowly a petal at a time like a flower opening to the sun, slowly. God’s call unfolds a Word at a time slowly. A disciple is not made in a hurry. Slowly I become like the One to whom I am listening. Life unfolds a petal at a time like you and I becoming followers of Jesus, discipled into a new way of living deeply and slowly. Be patient with life’s unfolding petals. If you hurry the bud it withers. If you hurry life it limps. Each unfolding is a teaching a movement of grace filled with silent pauses breathtaking beauty tears and heartaches. Life unfolds a petal at a time deeply and slowly. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Prayer Christ Be With Me Prayer of Saint Patrick Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me and before me. Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in hearts of all who know me. Christ in mouth of friend and stranger, Christ in quiet and in roar. Love, blessed Trinity of three, Bound in unity Who guides my journey. I will arise with strength of heaven Trusting in Your light To guide my journey Shine before me Lead me home. Power to guide me, might to hold me, Wisdom teach me, watching o’er me. Ear to hear me, hand to guard me, Love to conquer every fear. Amen. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Music In this song by Matt Maher we reflect on how peace starts with us. The work of being a disciple begins within each of us recognising Jesus’s love is strong enough to lead us in our journey as disciples. |
