Daily Bread - February 2010

Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Mon., Feb. 1: 2 Sam 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Mark 5:1-20

Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.  Mental illness, depression, addiction and compulsive behaviors all keep us wandering in an inner wilderness, like the poor man in today’s Gospel. So does sin, but usually it’s less dramatically apparent. Sin isolates us from God, our loved ones, the whole human community and even our true selves. Blessedly, although sin keeps us from God, it does not keep God from us. No matter what we’ve done, God always loves us and never gives up. With tender pity, God forgives and heals us if we sincerely repent, then sends us back to our families and to everyone we encounter so we may witness to this great mercy and love by extending it to others.  Lord, teach me to forgive others, knowing how much you’ve forgiven me. Mew

Tues., Feb. 2: Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Presentation of the Lord

Jesus … through his death freed those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. We all fear death, wish to avoid it and even deny it. Our fear often expresses itself in inappropriate ways. We enslave ourselves to money, distractions, piles of possessions … and miss the point entirely. Today’s feast directs us to the completely opposite view of life’s meaning. In keeping with Mosaic Law, Jesus was consecrated to God from the very beginning. He came to set us free from our sad legacy of sin, death and fear and to show us that the purpose of our earthly life is to learn how to love God and all people and to view death not as the end, but as the doorway to heaven. Lord Jesus, cast out our fear by your perfect love. Mew

Wed., Feb. 3: 2 Sam 24:2, 9-17; Mark 6:1-6

St. Blaise, bishop, martyr

A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house. Jesus isn’t surprised by the crowd’s reaction. We shouldn’t be either when we proclaim the Gospel and are frustrated at the results. We work in Jesus’ name to effect change in areas where human life and justice are impacted, often feeling that we are failures; no one seems to listen or care. Jesus’ message ignited the world only after his death and resurrection. We should not be dismayed if we must work our whole lives to bring about change that we will not live to see. Yet we are impelled and energized by grace to continue to proclaim the Gospel and work for the coming of the kingdom. Lord, give us strength to work for your kingdom and patience in awaiting results. Mew

Thurs., Feb. 4: 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12; Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two. Jesus calls us to faith in God. Faith is not crossing our fingers and hoping that somehow everything will turn out all right. Faith is trust that God’s very being is love and truth and that the promises of God are absolute. Maybe we’re not called, like Mother Teresa of Calcutta or Francis of Assisi, to walk bravely into the arena of human need with no material resources — but we all are called to follow Jesus’ teaching in a world that is largely inimical to it. God has promised us that our needs will be met if we trust in his word even when worldly wisdom advises us to take the easier way. God’s word is as good as God is. Lord, I believe; help me when my faith in you falters. Mew

Fri., Feb. 5: Sir 47:2-11; Mark 6:14-29

Agatha, virgin, martyr

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. A Jesuit friend of mine once said, “People don’t reject the word of God because it’s too good to be true, but because it’s too true to be good for them.” He meant people think the word isn’t “good for them” because it makes them uncomfortable. Herod bought into that, and we do too, sometimes. We go to tortuous lengths to rationalize inappropriate behaviors and to escape two simple facts:  our own sin and the infinite mercy of God. We want to hold on to our favorite sin (“Everybody does it; there are plenty of worse sins”) and at the same time enjoy the peace of God, which somehow eludes us because we are living a lie. Lord, grant me the grace to confess my sins and seek your forgiveness, so that I may praise your loving mercy with a light and joyous heart. Mew

Sat., Feb. 6: 1 Kgs 3:4-13; Mark 6:30-34

Paul Miki and companions, martyrs

Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart. We want to help those persons God places on our path, yet we often feel we have little to offer. If we are timid, we may do nothing for fear of doing the wrong thing. If, on the other hand, we are energetically proactive, we may set in motion several attempts at solutions without understanding the problem. Human relations, from the interpersonal to the interfamilial, interfaith to international, require more than knowledge of the facts involved.  Doing the right thing often involves consideration of delicate

nuances, lest we do more harm than good. We must seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the gift of divine wisdom and move humbly and carefully when we speak or act. Lord, grant that I may seek and follow the guidance of your Holy Spirit in all things. Mew

Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Mon., Feb. 8: 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13; Mark 6:53-56

As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. As we imagine the people of Gennesaret scurrying about to get their sick loved ones to Jesus, we should be grateful. We are the beneficiaries of centuries of scientific knowledge and medical advances. Illness, injury and disease are never welcome, but compared with ancient peoples, we face these problems with relative ease and hope for recovery. Even so, we must remember that whether the help we need comes from our medicine cabinets, therapeutic measures or healing professionals, ultimately all healing is from the hand of God. As Jesus healed all who were brought to him, let us work to see that people have equal access to God’s healing through the medical resources available to us today. For the just and equitable provision of health care, we pray. Ecw

Tues., Feb. 9: 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30; Mark 7:1-13

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. When we reduce Christian living to legalism, we fall prey to hypocrisy. A legalistic approach to Christianity means that all we do is go through the motions, act the part. But authentic Christianity seeks the maximum good through sincere practice of virtue. It empowers us for loving service of others, service we render promptly, with ease and with joy. Where is my heart today? Am I willing to be a channel of God’s grace and love, open to the full realization of God’s goodness worked out in and through me? Or will the good I do today be limited only to what is required of me? For constant faith, fervent hope and steadfast love, we pray. Ecw

Wed., Feb. 10: 1 Kgs 10:1-10; Mark 7:14-23

But what comes out of a person that is what defiles.  Late educator and humorist Sam Levenson wrote these words of advice for his grandchild: “For attractive lips, speak words of kindness; for lovely eyes, seek out the good in people … for poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.” As we rout out the evil thoughts that defile our hearts and minds, we might try identifying and building on the goodness we find there, as well.  As we become more conscious of what comes out of us — the words we speak (and the way we speak them), the way we look at others, the way we carry ourselves, the attitudes we project — let us also try to become more efficient conduits of God’s grace and love. For hearts filled with gratitude, kindness and love, we pray. Ecw

Thurs., Feb. 11: 1 Kgs 11:4-13; Mark 7:24-30

Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps. The Syrophoenician woman is the star of today’s Gospel, a woman to be admired on many counts. We see her first as humble, falling at the feet of Jesus on behalf of the daughter she loves. We then see her keen grasp of social complexities, coupled with boldness, as she challenges a norm that would exclude certain types of people from the healing touch of God. Finally, her droll retort to Jesus indicates that despite the difficulties she faces, she has lost neither her sense of humor nor her hope. She trusts that her persistence will pay off, and it does. May we also have such love, moral conviction and trust in God’s care. For humor and cheerfulness, courage and compassion, humility and persistent faith, hope and love, we pray. Ecw

Fri., Feb. 12: 1 Kgs 11: 29-32; 12:19; Mark 7:31-37

He took him off by himself away from the crowd. The crowd, always pursuing and pressing in upon Jesus, is an ever-present entity in Mark’s Gospel. As we imagine Jesus taking this man away from the crowd to restore him to wholeness, we might wonder whether Jesus doesn’t want the same for us. Even in our homes, many of us keep ourselves surrounded by the “crowd” of the 24-hour news/entertainment cycle. But how much time do we set aside for quiet prayer and meditation, for personal, intimate, healing encounters with the Lord? When he touches this man, Jesus utters a groan of deep compassion and empathy. Jesus sees our brokenness, too.  Let us come with him daily, away from the crowd, that he might restore and heal us. For healing and wholeness, we pray. Ecw

Sat., Feb. 13: 1 Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34; Mark 8:1-10

How many loaves do you have? When what we have is too little — whether food, money, time or strength — what we do we with our little bit is especially important. We might prioritize needs and use what we have for what is most important. Or we might spread out what we have equally among all of our needs … with the likely result that no need is adequately covered. We might become paralyzed by despair over what we lack. But our efforts to prioritize and make ends meet may well teach us valuable lessons: Some of our supposed needs perhaps weren’t real needs; maybe what we had was in fact sufficient.  Even hopelessness may be a gift, the “bottom” we needed to hit before we could turn finally to the Lord, whose heart is ever compassionate and generous. For trust in God’s providence, we pray. Ecw

Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Mon., Feb. 15: James 1:1-11; Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.  Sure, it’s easy to pick on the Pharisees. They’re so selfrighteous and argumentative. Yet their hypocrisy isn’t much different from our own. We might not call what we do “arguing with the Lord,” but we negotiate and try to make deals. We twist our demands to make it look like we’re yielding to God’s will, but in essence we’re merely forming God into the image we desire him to be. Then we become frustrated when the answer to our demand doesn’t appear quickly enough or if it doesn’t match our specific expectations. Everyday miracles of love, mercy, grace and forgiveness are seldom enough to soothe our need for assurance; we constantly seek more and test the Lord over and over again. No wonder we can’t see the signs in front of us. Lord, give us the grace to be content with your will in your time, we pray. PR

Tues., Feb. 16: James 1:12-18; Mark 8:14-21

He said to them, ‘Do you still not understand?’ Even if we get it, we still struggle to live it. It’s much easier to falter and doubt than to live each moment in trust and faith.  The disciples traveled with Jesus and benefited from continual reminders of how to live and what to avoid, yet they exasperated the Lord with their confusion and dimwittedness. While it’s heartening to realize that our battle is common, this realization should challenge us to try and comprehend what Jesus says today. The disciples wrestled with their understanding in the moment.  We know their story, as well as those of countless other holy men and women who came after them, and still we waver. If we’re not hard-hearted, we certainly can be thick-headed. Open our hearts minds and will, O Lord, we pray. PR

Wed., Feb. 17: Joel 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20–6:2; Matt 6:1-6, 16-18

Ash Wednesday

Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. It’s Ash Wednesday — another chance for reconciliation. No matter how we’ve faltered or failed in the last year, we receive the precious gift of another try. Lent is not a time of darkness. Our Lord is the God of second chances. The annual opportunity to step out of the shadows of sin and into the light of hope is upon us. We can try harder and do better this time and, if necessary, the next time and the next. Every chance we take to seek and receive the grace of God is another opportunity to show our gratitude for the gift of salvation. Entering Lent with any other attitude is certainly futile. Merciful Savior, although your total surrender diminishes any sacrifice we can offer, accept our Lenten practice as a humble sign of our desire to be reconciled to

you, we pray. PR

Thurs., Feb. 18: Deut 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25

Lenten weekday

Then he said to all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’ Lent can be hard. We’re creatures of habit and comfort; no one honestly likes to give up their favorite things.  However, Lent cannot be reduced to a mere diet or self-improvement plan. If we’ve strayed from what daily Christian living demands, the rigors of Lenten sacrifice can and should be more than challenging. We disciples today don’t usually find ourselves facing death — so we must come to know what our cross is. We must take time to focus on how, or even if, we’re representatives of Christ. We need to question if we’re really following Christ or being Christ-like. The honest answer to such questions may be our first cross, but shouldering it and adjusting it will give us the strength to bear the many other crosses to follow. Grant us, O Lord, the strength to walk in your ways today, we pray. PR

Fri., Feb. 19: Isa 58:1-9a; Matt 9:14-15

Lenten weekday

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed. Our words and acts of penitence bring little satisfaction if we cannot share the joy of our reconciliation and release with all God’s children. None of us is truly free when any one of our brothers and sisters remains confined, broken or enslaved. As the body of Christ, we share a kinship with every living soul. Where one remains imprisoned, all are confined. Where one is broken or exploited, all are conquered. Any victory must be communal. O Lord, that we may be one with you, we pray. PR

Sat., Feb. 20: Isa 58:9b-14; Luke 5:27-32

Lenten weekday

And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.  Lent is a chance to leave behind our sins and failings and move forward to follow the Lord. We can completely detach from the weaknesses, vices and distractions that cause us to sin again and again. Today, Jesus calls us sinners to repent. Let’s abandon the trappings that leave us wretched and make the most of this grace-filled opportunity.  Lord, guide us, we pray. PR

First Week of Lent

Mon., Feb. 22: 1 Pet 5:1-4; Matt 16:13-19

Chair of Peter, apostle

Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. This exhortation to the presbyters from Peter’s first letter reveals the fruit of a life of dedication, suffering and conversion. Impetuous, cowardly Peter has become a wise servant-leader who is setting an example for others who are raised to leadership. One recognizes these servant-leaders, and I have been fortunate to know — and be served by — many. Today’s feast is a good day to pray in thanksgiving for good pastors. Lord Jesus, bless those who serve us as priests and pastors.  Give them what they need to resist the temptations of privilege and continue the work that Jesus came to do. St. Peter, pray for us. Pbs

Tues., Feb. 23: Isa 55:10-11; Matt 6:7-15

Polycarp, bishop, martyr

This is how you are to pray. When Jesus spoke, it must have appeared that he came to make things simple. Pray like this. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Love one another.  This simplicity was received well by the common folk, and it has a certain attraction today. Perhaps Lent is a good time to practice embracing the simple. Eat plain, wholesome food. Bring less into our homes. Avoid unnecessary conflict. Let go of grudges. Travel light. Read the scriptures. Pray like this: Our Father, who art in heaven … Pbs

Wed., Feb. 24: Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 11:29-32

The sign of Jonah. This Gospel passage contains a lot of obscure imagery. We know the story of Jonah and hear it again today, but what does the “sign of Jonah” mean — the only sign given to this “evil generation”? Some scholars say this sign is the preaching of repentance by a prophet who comes from afar. In one sense, all prophets come from afar because if they are true, the truth they preach is from God. God’s ways are far from the ways of those who do evil. We are all called to be prophets, revealing God’s ways by the way we live. And sometimes we are met with the truth of other prophets. It is then that we must pray to be like the humble Ninevites and receive the truth with open minds and hearts. Lord Jesus, make me humble and make me true. Pbs

Thurs., Feb. 25: Esth C: 12, 14-16, 23-25; Matt 7:7-12

Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.  This “Golden Rule,” as we call it, is universal. One finds similar statements in the holy writings of all religions.  Buddhism: “A state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?” Hinduism:  “This is the sum of duty: Do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.” Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the law: All the rest is commentary.” Islam: “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”  Living out this rule could be a full-time occupation, the measure of everything else we do. How would we have to change if we decided to conduct ourselves by this rule?  Lord Jesus, give me single-mindedness to want only to love others, and in so doing, love you. Pbs

Fri., Feb. 26: Ezek 18:21-28; Matt 5:20-26

Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin. The term Raqa was an insult — some say it means “imbecile” or “blockhead.” Another translator renders it “I spit on you.” Whatever its exact meaning, it was a term of derision. Jesus says that his disciples must not only refrain from murder but also from such derisive speech. We think we say what we believe, but the reverse is also true — we tend to believe what we say. The power of speech is such that it can influence our thoughts and then our actions. If we hold our tongue and do not speak the derisive word, it is easier to find our way to love. Lord Jesus, help me to speak only kindness about others, and when I am tempted to speak ugly words, help me instead to pray for the one I would insult. Pbs

Sat., Feb. 27: Deut 26:16-19; Matt 5:43-4

Love your enemies. We hear this teaching and imagine exceptions: a parent who failed to love me; an estranged sibling who no longer speaks to me; a former spouse who betrayed me; an employer who fired me; a business partner who cheated me; the enemies of our nation.  Jesus doesn’t mention these exceptions. We are commanded to love. How we love varies in each situation, but to choose not to love is not the option of a true disciple.  How can we call ourselves disciples and not heed this very direct teaching? When pride prevents us from loving, we pray for humility; when anger prevents us from loving, we pray for calm; when hurt prevents us from loving, we pray for self-forgetfulness. Whatever the cost, we pray, help us to love. Pbs

Daily Bread Authors

□       Patricia Russell graduated from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., with degrees in English and secondary education.

□       Paige Byrne Shortal earned a bachelor’s degree in theology at Saint Louis University and a master’s degree in pastoral studies at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. Visit her Web site and contact her at www.paigebyrneshortal.com.

□       Mary E. Waldron received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology from Marquette University in Milwaukee.  She later earned a doctorate in American studies from Saint Louis University.

□       Elizabeth C. Williams has a bachelor’s degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master’s in theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology. She writes from her home in Washington, Mo.