Why the Gospels? John tells us in the conclusion of chapters 20 and 21.
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of [his] disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may [come to] believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
Luke’s gospel conclusion
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”
And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
The Old Testament points to the Messiah. The New Testament has its foundation in the Old.
Sing praise to the LORD, you faithful; give thanks to his holy memory. For his anger lasts but a moment; his favor a lifetime. At dusk weeping comes for the night; but at dawn there is rejoicing.
PS 30:5-6
If you want to understand Jesus, start with the Exodus, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the psalms.
I wonder if you know,the work your body has done today.And every day.How much disease it has fought off.How many times it could have failed but battled on,how many ways it could have broken but did not. I wonder if you know,the work your body has done today.And every day.And each day it has done […]
Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious Readings: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9; Jn 1:35-42
Notes
As he watched Jesus walk by, [John] said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him.
Jesus asks: “What are you looking for?”
Two disciples of John ask: “Where are you staying?”
Jesus replies: “Come, and you will see.”
Summary
The Five W’s and How are the hallmark of believers who wish to understand the full scope of the question of Jesus.
Who is Jesus: The Lamb of God.
What is Jesus: He is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.
Where: Come and see.
When: Come (now).
How: Stay.
Reflection
Nativity
It is good to ask questions. Sometimes the questions reveal a deeper exchange than what first appears.
Jesus asks: “What are you looking for?” Two disciples of John ask: “Where are you staying?” Jesus replies: “Come, and you will see.”
In case you forgot, anyone who answers a question with a question is usually hiding their true question. Since this is sacred Scripture we would refine that to say the disciples are using a Socratic method of inquiry. A question to a question to reveal the major question and intention.
This is the major question unsaid. How do you spend the Sabbath? The importance is to read ahead the gospel of John and then come back to the question. The gospel of John is replete with this question and generally in the contrasting form of the leadership challenging Jesus on his activities and worship on Sabbath days (usually as an accusation of sin and unworthiness to be followed – or called Rabbi).
How does Jesus reply: “Come, and you will see.” – See for yourself. See for yourself. The entirety of the healing and transforming of worship by the Son of God, Lamb of God. It s entirely being the Real Presence of the Lord. It is entirely in The Way and in The Name.
These disciples, the first three, spend their first day with Jesus at rest on the Sabbath. In fact it is the first three commandments.
I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day.
Personal Reflection
Jesus teaches us in the Gospel of John what true rest is in the Lord. And it isn’t sitting with coffee and danish and watching football. Nor is it only going to temple. Nor is it only reading sacred Scripture. It is in the staying. Staying with Jesus. My best days and fondest thoughts and memories are when I stay with him.
“Where are you staying?” “Come, and you will see.”
First Reading
In this way, the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain; no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God, nor anyone who does not love his brother.
Responsorial
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Gospel Acclamation
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
Gospel
The First Disciples. Andrew, John the son of Zebedee, Simon (Peter), Philip, and Nathanael. Five first disciples, a sufficient number of followers to be called Rabbi.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.
Greetings on this the Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist Readings: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a and 2-8
Notes
During the Octave of Christmas we celebrate people. Saint Stephen, Deacon, first of the Christian martyrs; Saint John, Apostle, the one who gave home to the Lord’s Mother; the Holy Innocents, children martyred due to the Incarnation; Simeon, Holy Men; and the gospel portion of the Sixth Day of the Octave of Christmas Anna, holy women. With an honorable mention of Mary Magdalene and the Apostle Simon Peter & the Apostle John.
Stephen, deacon
John, apostle
Holy Innocents
Holy Family (Feast Day of Prayer)
Simeon
Anna
It is so fitting that as a parent is more elated and interested in her children than herself such the Church should always be. Each of the above are holy for their actions of love. For the Holy Innocents, a most unusual celebration near equal to the surrender of Jesus to the will of the Father in the garden: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”
Summary
In today’s gospel portion Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter to tell him the story of the encounter of the missing Lord. The encounter with the risen Lord is just out of reading scope. It is so we can focus on Mary and her love of the Lord and how she acted in respect to the Lord. She ‘ran’. First as a protective action for the one she loves and then in consideration for the Apostle who loved him too. Once they heard, then Peter and John ran too! And for the same reasons. For all three the same question in effect:
“Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”
Reflection
It is not often that we are called to defend Christ. Christ spends his time defending us. But once in a while we should be moved to run and defend the Church. Not to defend her errors which occur to be sure. But defend the person of Jesus and the promise of divine love and resurrection.
Personal Reflection
The Bishop who ordained me, Bishop Barbarito, made this statement to the priests of the Diocese at a meeting that I happened to be present at to hear. He said to the effect: I will always defend you but if you do something morally wrong, I will not defend you. You must own your behavior and I will defend our mission of the conversion of souls and the promise of the resurrection.
You are not obligated to defend the Church in all matters but what matters the most, which is, Sacramental System of Grace, Salvation, and Resurrection.
Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.
Defend that, and that alone.
First Reading
Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.
Responsorial
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Gospel Acclamation
We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
Gospel
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them. So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first.
Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time Readings: Dn 2:31-45; Dn 3:57, 58, 59, 60, 61; Lk 21:5-11 Notes: The first of three reflections on Nebuchadnezzar is found here: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2023/11/27/mighty-mite/
Which title is more accurate for this reflection? I can go back and change it later. Let me know in the comments.
Thy Kingdom Come
Man Proposes, God Disposes
Summary In business we use this type of progressive elaboration. Dreams become visions which become goals which become strategies which become plans which, and finally, becomes an executed reality. In this dream/vision of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel plots out the message of the divine plan in the succession of earthly kingdoms.
The four successive kingdoms in this apocalyptic perspective are the Babylonian (gold), the Median (silver), the Persian (bronze), and the Hellenistic (iron). We live in another time so we can fill in the Romans and then the Coming of the Kingdom of the Messiah.
Another kingdom shall take your place, inferior to yours, then a third kingdom, of bronze, which shall rule over the whole earth. There shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron; it shall break in pieces and subdue all these others (NABRE Commentary).
The divine plans include the marvelous and best.
In the lifetime of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever. That is the meaning of the stone you saw hewn from the mountain without a hand being put to it, which broke in pieces the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future; this is exactly what you dreamed, and its meaning is sure (Dn 2:44-45).”
Reflection We watch the world disassemble and rule of law become but a facade of the interior corruption. That is true and we should pray for these things to reverse and get right again because the LORD does not wish our self-inflicted miseries. However, we also must realize that the rising and failing of kingdoms has been the fact of human endeavors. We must always look beyond that to the larger and more substantial.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. On earth as it is in Heaven.
God will not be thwarted in his plans.
Every kingdom, every nation, every community, every household and every person is given review and called to account how we treat each other. In the gospel portion tomorrow the judgment of Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom is worked out. It was a seminal moment for him and so will it be for us.
Personal Reflection This saying is a favorite for me: Man proposes, God disposes.
What shall then we propose? What is our standard?
There are six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him; Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that are quick to run to evil, The false witness who utters lies, and the one who sows discord among kindred (Pv 6:16).
It is too much.
‘It will come to pass in the last days,’ God says, ‘that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams (Acts 2:17).
Imagine then I start there. I will do better if I start there.
Dreams become visions which become goals which become strategies which become plans which, and finally, becomes an executed reality. In this dream/vision of Jesus, We plot out the message of the divine plan during the succession of earthly kingdoms.
That’s better.
First Reading This was the dream; the interpretation we shall also give in the king’s presence.
Responsorial Give glory and eternal praise to him.
Gospel Acclamation Remain faithful until death, And I will give you the crown of life.
Gospel Jesus said, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time Readings: Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21; Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17; Lk 12:35-38 Notes: Recently many of my fellow bloggers are enjoying the great outdoors and seeing the beauty of creation and the spiritual nature of all creation. Same here.
These joys and tranquility and sense of belonging are gifts. Even in our brokenness we see these gifts.
Grace overflows all the more.
Just as trails are marked so is our pathway through life. Nature is given as gift. Forgiveness as gift. Each other as gift. Yourself, your very self, is gift to you.
Difficulty comes. Gird your loins and light your lamps.
He comes to your aid as friend and savior. It is work to be good and it is good work. It is hard to be a lamp, shine anyway. Peer into the future. Look attentively around you and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding.
From our psalms today:
May all who seek you exult and be glad in you, And may those who love your salvation say ever, "The LORD be glorified."
Peace to Palestine and Israel.
First Reading Brothers and sisters: Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Responsorial Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin offerings you sought not; then said I, "Behold I come."
Gospel Acclamation Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
Gospel Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest Readings: Nm 12:1-13; Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13; Mt 14:22-36 Notes: Extreme Heat Advisory today.
The biggest theme of the current age is the feigned moralism on the pretext of protecting the people. What is really wanted is power. Raw power.
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses on the pretext of the marriage he had contracted with a Cushite woman. They complained, “Is it through Moses alone that the LORD speaks? Does he not speak through us also?”
For Miriam after a period of chastisement and intercession she was cured.
There was Miriam, a snow-white leper!
When Aaron turned and saw her a leper, he said to Moses, “Ah, my lord! Please do not charge us with the sin that we have foolishly committed!
Then Moses cried to the LORD, “Please, not this! Pray, heal her!”
So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not start out again until she was brought back.
Even Miriam, who should be always honored and praised, is not immune to the error of feigned moralism on the pretext of protecting the people. When she really wanted power. But healing and growth came from the experience. There is a Jewish midrash that says the the cloud began to move again and the Israelites were to follow. But the people refused to follow until the period of chastisement was over and Miriam was back in the camp so honored she was worthy even to defy the LORD.
The LORD smiled. “Now they get it.”
In our gospel portion today Peter learns faith in Jesus is the real power. The disciples learned.
The people of Gennesaret heard of Jesus.
They learned to have faith in Jesus.
First Reading Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses on the pretext of the marriage he had contracted with a Cushite woman. The LORD defends Moses saying, Throughout my house he bears my trust: face to face I speak to him; plainly and not in riddles. Then Moses cried to the LORD, “Please, not this! Pray, heal her!”
Responsorial Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Gospel Acclamation Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.
Gospel Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.
Deacon Gerry Palermo 