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The Lectionary provides a kind of spiritual script for the universal church that keeps us, literally, all on the same page as we journey through the liturgical seasons. These short reflections, written by four authors who meet weekly to share the readings, are intended to help daily preachers and others who pray from the assigned scriptures each day to orient themselves to the Living Word addressed to the church in the world. Authors are identified by their initials, with short bios provided. Daily Bread Authors
Paige Byrne Shortal Mary E. Waldron Elizabeth C. Williams
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Daily Bread – January 2008
Octave of Christmas (continued)
Tues., Jan. 1: Num 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21
Mary, Mother of God
But when the fullness of
time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman.
Clarity and perspective come with the passage of
time. Besides a few shepherds and some mysterious itinerants from the East, few
in first-century Palestine considered Mary of Nazareth to be anyone special.
Some of her own people probably looked askance at her as they calculated the
timing of the birth of her son. But as that son came to be recognized as the Son
of God, Mary was rightly declared Mother of God. May we cherish Mary as the one
who helps us recognize that our gracious God wants to come to the world through
you and me. For the grace to sense the nearness of our God, we pray.
ecw
Wed., Jan. 2: 1 John 2:22-28; John 1:19-28
Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops, doctors
I am “the voice of one
crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’ ”
By now, many of us are counting the cost of another Christmas of
extravagance and overspending. Today, let us ponder our ways with this
admonition from St. Basil the Great: “The bread which you do not use is the
bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him
who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is
barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts
of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.”
For repentant hearts, we pray. ecw
Thurs., Jan. 3: 1 John 2:29–3:6; John 1:29-34
Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We have sinful inclinations, and we follow them time and again. This seems to be our lot. We stumble and fall. We miss the mark. But we are not hapless victims of some existential lottery. We are — right here, right now — children of a loving God, ever learning, ever growing toward a greater destiny. We are created in the image and likeness of God; thus we are also inclined toward goodness. Let us cherish the unconditional love of our God, who leads, guides and nurtures us as beloved children. For gratitude and wonder over God’s fierce and unflagging love for us; for the grace to choose the path of righteousness, we pray. ecw
Fri., Jan. 4: 1 John 3:7-10; John 1:35-42
Come, and you will see. Experience is the best (some say the only) teacher. Jesus could have simply given those who followed him a sound bite about his mission. But instead he invited them to spend time with him, to come and see firsthand what he was all about. Faith rooted in that experience impelled Andrew to seek out his brother Peter to announce astonishing good news: “We have found the Messiah.” Today we remember St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, whose pioneering work in education has allowed countless schoolchildren to experience learning within a community of faith. Let us renew our dedication to keeping her legacy alive by supporting schools that invite youngsters to experience life in Christ as the core of their education. For Catholic schools and all who contribute to their vitality, we pray. ecw
Sat., Jan. 5: 1 John 3:11-21; John 1:43-51
How do you know me? The charm of the old love song “Getting to Know You” is in its expression of a basic truth: Knowing others is a key aspect of loving them. Moreover, our desire to know others signals love’s dynamism, our hope that they might want to know and love us in return. God created us, knows us better than we know ourselves, and loves us beyond what we can comprehend. So of course Jesus, Son of God, knew Nathanael. Nathanael’s question to Jesus makes us ask ourselves: Do we try to know God and others better? Do we see that our tendency to “cocoon” ourselves within our own homes can hinder love? For knowledge and love of one another, we pray. ecw
Week After Epiphany
Mon., Jan. 7: 1 John 3:22–4:6; Matt 4:12-17, 23-25
He went around all of Galilee. Jesus didn’t simply preach that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. He lived it. His earthly ministry was both the impetus for its arrival and the evidence of its reality. Indeed, the kingdom will come to fulfillment whether we’re prepared or not. We mustn’t forget, however, that while we wait for it we can also work to bring about its realization. Jesus shows us the way. It’s our call to teach and to announce the good news and to bring healing and wholeness to all God’s people. The kingdom of heaven has already begun. Jesus has gloriously heralded its arrival. That we may continue the work of Jesus, we pray. PR
Tues., Jan. 8: 1 John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44
Give them some food yourselves. Jesus doesn’t dismiss his role as the true shepherd. In fact, he assumes a position that is often much harder to manage. Instead of doing everything himself, he empowers others to follow his example. His followers are beneficiaries of much more than bread. They participate in a miracle, and in the process they feel the power of what they can do when they listen to Jesus’ words and come together to follow his model. Jesus asks us to play a part in shepherding his flock. He knew his time to be an earthly shepherd was limited, but he offered the disciples many opportunities to witness what we all must do to be God’s visible and loving presence in the world today. For those who hunger and thirst for God, we pray. PR
Wed., Jan. 9: 1 John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52
Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. Sometimes the wind and the waves never stop coming. We are buffeted by one torrent after another and feel like all we can do is hang on and endure the next onslaught. When we are caught up in such a stormy sea, there seems to be little opportunity for anything more than survival. It feels impossible to see the Lord approaching from the far shore. But he is never far off. Jesus not only reaches out to comfort us but also joins us in the listing boat. He may not make the commotion of our lives completely disappear, but he will accompany us through the turbulent ride. He has already saved us. We have nothing to fear when these stormy times hit. For all who are lost, frightened or vulnerable, we pray. PR
Thurs., Jan. 10: 1 John 4:19–5:4; Luke 4:14-22
Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. As Christians we struggle to reconcile our belief that Christ fulfills the promises of the scriptures with the reality of suffering, violence and bigotry. It is easy to become pessimistic. But our energies can be better used if we take our part in the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises. Indeed, injustice may be rampant, but we do not have to be a cause of it. We are called to ease the world’s misery, not contribute to it. We must bring glad tidings, proclaim liberty and end all suffering and oppression in big and small ways every day. Then shall God’s will be done. In gratitude for the fulfillment of God’s promises, we pray. PR
Fri., Jan. 11: 1 John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16
And the leprosy left him immediately. Lepers not only suffered physically; they were cut off from their religious communities. In curing the leper, Jesus puts into motion the events necessary to reunite this man with his society. Imagine the feeling of isolation — lepers were deemed outside the touch of both God and other people. Jesus shows great compassion for this suffering man who cries out to him not only for a cure but also for mercy and human contact. This miracle reveals the healing power of God and it reveals God’s deep love. The leper is changed, and through retelling such miracles, we are too. That we may reach out to those in need of a compassionate touch, we pray. PR
Sat., Jan. 12: 1 John 5:14-21; John 3:22-30
He must increase; I must decrease. Everything is about being number one. Every aspect of our lives is a competition — always having the biggest or best. It is easy to lose perspective. John’s followers become jealous of Jesus’ popularity. To them, Jesus’ success threatens their ministry. John preached that Jesus was coming, but when he arrived, John’s followers were resentful. These good men who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah got caught up in who was doing God’s work instead of rejoicing in its fulfillment. John reminds them, and us, that bringing people to the kingdom is not a competition; it’s not about the fanciest churches or the largest congregations. We must remember it’s about God, not us. For humility, we pray. PR
First Week in Ordinary Time
Mon., Jan. 14: 1 Sam 1:1-8; Mark 1:14-20
Come after me. The year 2008 is only two weeks old, yet for many of us, New Year’s Day seems like a long time ago. Today we’re invited to consider beginnings as we listen to the first verses of the books of Samuel and Mark. We hear the story of Hannah’s barrenness and her desperate longing for a child. We hear the call of the first disciples, a call they were so quick to answer that it must have been the fulfillment of a deep longing of their own. Time passes quickly. Let’s slow down today and accept the invitation to begin once again, listening for the voice of Jesus calling us. Lord Jesus, open my eyes to your presence, my ears to your voice, my heart to your love. Amen. pbs
Tues., Jan. 15: 1 Sam 1:9-20; Mark 1:21-28
The people were amazed. Both passages today read like a screenplay, and in each there is the possibility of a comic moment. Poor barren Hannah is weeping in the temple, praying desperately for a child, and she is accused of drunkenness. Jesus preaches as no one ever has and the people are amazed, asking each other, “What is this?” Both scenes are brief respites before things get serious. Hannah does conceive, and her son, Samuel, grows up to anoint Jesus’ ancestor David as king. Jesus is the talk of the town now as his fame spreads, but soon he will be perceived as a danger. In both cases, truth is spoken from an unexpected source. Lord, help us today to be open to your truth, wherever it is spoken, whoever is the mouthpiece. pbs
Wed., Jan. 16: 1 Sam 3:1-10, 19-20; Mark 1:29-39
Here I am, Lord. We love this psalm response. Yet what a commitment lies within these simple words! In today’s readings, we hear of people in ordinary circumstances. A young boy can’t sleep and thinks he hears someone calling him. A woman is sick, but when she is healed she doesn’t have time to recuperate. Instead she gets up and waits on her son, his friends and the crowd coming to her house. There are always more sick people. There is always the voice in the night. And our response can only be, Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. pbs
Thurs., Jan. 17: 1 Sam 4:1-11; Mark 1:40-45
Why has the Lord permitted us to be defeated today? This is the question of the Israelites after their terrible losses at the hands of the Philistines. Not once but twice they are defeated, and the Ark of the Covenant is captured along with the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas. The answer to their question lies in an earlier passage. Hophni and Phinehas are corrupt, reserving the best part of the people’s sacrifices for themselves. Ordinary, trusting people suffer under the leadership of those who are corrupt, and God does not — indeed cannot — intervene. In the Gospel a leper is healed. He is cautioned to keep silence and broadcasts the news of his healing everywhere. A venerable scripture professor once suggested, “If I were the Lord, the leper would have found the leprosy returned as soon as he opened his mouth.” This is not our God. God keeps promises even when we do not. Lord Jesus, help us to be faithful. St. Anthony, abbot, ascetic, founder of monastic life, pray for us. pbs
Fri., Jan. 18: 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22; Mark 2:1-12
When Jesus saw their faith … Jesus is “at home” in Capernaum, that is, back at Peter’s mother-in-law’s house. Crowds are gathered — again — and this time they’re dismantling her roof! There’s a mother-in-law joke in here somewhere. We read, “When Jesus saw their faith” he healed the man. Not the man’s faith, but the faith of his friends. It is the community’s faith in which we rest when we are in need of healing. In Samuel, the community lost their faith and, despite warnings about the burden of kings, they begged to be “like other nations.” Today is the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the theme is “pray without ceasing.” Let us join Christians everywhere and pray, Lord, increase our faith. pbs
Sat., Jan 19: 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1; Mark 2:13-17
I do not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Today’s readings are about God’s calls to unlikely people. Saul, the handsome son of Kish, out to find his father’s wandering asses, is spied by Samuel and God tells him, “He’s the one.” Jesus calls Levi, the tax collector, and eats with sinners. It’s all about God’s power, not ours — a lesson for those of us called to church leadership. Lord Jesus, make us servant leaders, like you. pbs
Second Week in Ordinary Time
Mon., Jan. 21: 1 Sam 15:16-23; Mark 2:18-22
Agnes, virgin, martyr
Obedience is better than
sacrifice. Jesus’ response to those
who raise questions about fasting is to remind them that they are seeking old
answers for a new age. We are to expect the time after his resurrection, the
time of the church, to be wholly new. The force and power of the Holy Spirit
will burst forth into the world, a power that conquers not by warfare and
destruction, but by peace, love and humble service of all in need. We are called
to this service and are led by the light of Jesus’ love and truth. Lord, mold
us into the people who will be your instruments in bringing the light of your
Kingdom to all.
mew
Tues., Jan. 22: 1 Sam 16:1-13; Mark 2:23-28
We see the appearance but the lord looks into the heart. How quickly we judge situations and people by surface appearances when we simply don’t know the whole story. God looks deep into us, as he looked into the heart of young David, and sees the potential for great good and great evil that live within us. With God’s grace, the least of us — even I — can do great things by the power of God, and any of us — even I — can do great evil if I follow my own selfish and undisciplined inclinations. Knowing this, let us humbly pray: Dear Lord, create me anew in your image that I may love and act in your name today. mew
Wed., Jan. 23: 1 Sam 17:32-33, 37, 40-51; Mark 3:1-6
“Go! The Lord will be with you.” We don’t know what we are capable of until we trust in the Lord and step out in faith. We say, “Oh, what difference can I make? I’m only one small, insignificant person.” So was David. But he acted in response to God’s promise, and God always keeps his word. Always. When we act in response to Gospel imperatives, guided by the Holy Spirit, all of us small and insignificant individuals do make a difference. Let us pray to remember that it is not just us, but God acting through all of us that brings the Kingdom to fulfillment. Lord, teach me to trust as though everything depended on you, and to act as though everything depended on me. mew
Thurs., Jan. 24: 1 Sam 18:6-9; 19:1-7; Mark 3:7-12
Francis de Sales, bishop, doctor
He warned them sternly
not to make him known. Jesus does not
want acclaim as a wonder-working messiah, almost a kind of magician. He heals
and works miracles out of compassion, but this is not his goal. Jesus is the
Messiah of the lord, sent to save all humankind for all time, not just the
people of Judea in the time of his earthly life. Jesus will be suffering
Messiah, rejected, humiliated, crucified, and — joyously vindicated by God in
the Resurrection! Do I try to imagine Jesus according to my limited, and
limiting, ideas, instead of as he is? Lord, help us to guard against trying
to make you conform to our plans. Lead us to humbly seek to know and do your
perfect will. mew
Fri., Jan. 25: Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22; Mark 16:15-18
Conversion of St. Paul, apostle (Feast)
Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Today we celebrate the conversion of Saul, a passionate enemy of the church who
by the grace of God became an equally passionate Christian, proclaiming the
Gospel first to his own beloved Jewish people, then to the Gentiles, from whom
most of us are descended. Let us thank God for missionaries like St. Paul and
for all who formed and instructed us in the faith. Let us also thank God for
calling each of us to proclaim the Gospel to all in our path, sometimes by our
words but most often by our actions. Lord, we thank you for the gift of
faith. Help us to share this gift with others.
mew
Sat., Jan. 26: 2 Tim 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5; Mark 3:20-21
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and love and self-control. The saints of God, the sancti — those set aside by God to be part of his great work — have always found themselves on the spot from time to time. We are also sancti, consecrated ones, and we know that we can always count of the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to teach us when to keep silent, when to speak, and what to say. With Timothy and Titus and their mentor Paul, we pray: Dear Lord, send us your Spirit. Grant us the courage to witness to the Gospel in what we say, in what we do, and in what we refuse to do. mew
Third Week in Ordinary Time
Mon., Jan. 28: 2 Sam 5:1-7, 10; Mark 3:22-30
St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor
The scribes who had come
from Jerusalem said … ‘By the prince of demons he drives out demons.’
We hear twisted, convoluted logic every day.
One prevalent strain of it says that the only way to secure peace in the world
is to wage war. But violence begets violence. Indeed, how can Satan drive out
Satan? As we look for the strong forces that conspire against a peaceful world,
let us see first our own greed and domination of others. Let us see the systems
that cause poverty, oppression and despair as the demons that roam the world
today. For discernment that we may see truth, conversion that we may mend our
ways, and compassion that we may act with justice, we pray.
ecw
Tues., Jan. 29: 2 Sam 6:12-15, 17-19; Mark 3:31-35
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers.’ Most of us find ourselves surrounded by other people on a regular basis —family, friends, neighbors, coworkers or classmates, employees or clients, fellow citizens, parishioners, strangers. In today’s Gospel, Jesus does not snub his blood relatives, but rather offers a heartfelt expression of his love and affection for those gathered around him. We should assess our response to the various people we encounter each day. Are we indifferent to any of them, even mean? Or do we extend the love and affection of Christ to them? How might we grow in our capacity to see each one as a beloved brother or sister in Christ? For greater love for those around us, we pray. ecw
Wed., Jan. 30: 2 Sam 7:4-17; Mark 4:1-20
The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. We’ve all had experiences like David’s. We have what seems like a great idea, something we know will please God, only to have God say “No.” So how do we discern God’s will? David knew he should bounce his ideas off of the prophet Nathan before moving forward. We, too, should confer with prophets — wise, godly folk who help us hold “great ideas” up to the light. Parents, siblings, spouses or trusted friends may act for us in this capacity. We may rely on a counselor, a confessor or a spiritual director. We might also regularly review the good things God has done for us already, which can help us to remain grateful and hopeful about the goodness planned for our future. For holy discernment, we pray. ecw
Thurs., Jan. 31: 2 Sam 7:18-19, 24-29; Mark 4:21-25
He also told them, ‘Take care what you hear.’ Consider carefully what the light of Christ reveals. We may be all for the truth when it exposes the lies and secrets of others, but what about our own delusions and half-truths? Are we ready to come out of the cushiony place of denial in which we live? Are we ready to admit that we are addicted to certain substances or activities? Are we willing to see how our comfortable lifestyle comes at the expense of others’ hardship? Are we willing to let go of our sense of entitlement, to see that we — the ones to whom more has been given — must respond to those who have less before they lose what little they have? For hearts that hear the cry of the poor, we pray. ecw
Daily Bread Authors
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Patricia Russell
Paige Byrne Shortal
Mary E. Waldron
Elizabeth C. Williams
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