January 21 - One Bread, One Body

Presentation Ministries
(Jan 16, 2018) One-Bread-One-Body

Man looking at sunset.

January 21, Third Sunday Ordinary Time

Cycle A Readings:
1) Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 25:4-9
2) 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Gospel) Mark 1:14-20

Drop Everything

"Jesus said to them, 'Come after me.'" — Mark 1:17

Jesus is here. Drop everything. Imitate the Ninevites who stopped the workings of their whole society in order to fast, put on sackcloth, and repent (Jon 3:5). When Simon and Andrew met Jesus, they dropped their fishing business (Mk 1:18). James and John did the same thing in addition to leaving behind their father, Zebedee (Mk 1:20).

Because Jesus is here and will come again in glory, husbands should live as though they did not have wives (1 Cor 7:29), that is, they should at times temporarily abstain from marital relations so that they can pray and fast (1 Cor 7:5). Those who are weeping or rejoicing (1 Cor 7:30) should stop thinking about how they feel, because "the time is short" (1 Cor 7:29) and "the kingdom of God is at hand" (Mk 1:15, our transl). Moreover, those who are buyers and involved in the world's system (see 1 Cor 7:30-31) need to start financial planning foar the time when a person will not be allowed "to buy or sell anything unless he was first marked with the name of the beast" (Rv 13:17). "The world as we know it is passing away" (1 Cor 7:31).

Christ has died. Drop everything. Christ is risen. Drop everything. Christ will come again. Drop everything. Jesus is Lord!

Prayer: Father, free me from being possessed by my possessions.

Promise: "Repent and believe in the gospel." — Mk 1:15, our transl.

Praise: Praise You, Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life! (Jn 11:25) I rejoice in You forever!


Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2017 through January 31, 2018.

†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2017.

The Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

 

January 21, 2018, One Bread, One Body, Presentation Ministries, Third Sunday, Ordinary Time, Spiritual, Readings, Scripture, Reflection, trending-english