Reflection from Fr Moser on the readings
The Lord is kind and merciful!
About 30 of our children rejoiced in God’s love and mercy as they celebrated their First Reconciliation this past week; several more will celebrate the Sacrament of Penance in St. Mary Church (Dorchester) for the first time this coming Wednesday. Pray for these “little ones” as they begin soon studying and preparing for their First Holy Communion.
Ordinary Time [The Wedding Feast at Cana]
Jesus turns water into wine, the servants pour water into the stone jars/jugs, then dip out wine! This first SIGN or miracle recounted in John’s tells us Jesus turns the flavorless substance of water into the exuberant and delicious substance of wine; this sign reveals that Jesus will more than answer our thirst for life and happiness.
With grace given to us from the Lord we possess the power to transform, recreate and renew ourselves heart, mind and soul. Consider how His transforming power continues to reshape and renew us today.
On this Monday in the USA we remember Martin Luther King Jr. He was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta. He became a Baptist Minister like his father and was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis. MLK is best known for his speeches and nonviolent protests against racism and discrimination. In 1964 he received the Nobel Peace Prize. He used God’s grace and the example of Jesus to change himself and our nation.
Two questions to consider: When did you turn an enemy or opponent into a friend? Have you turned the “lemons” in your heart and life into lemonade?
Adrian Nocent, OSB wrote these prophetic words: “We were once water, now we are wine, and are judged worthy of the wedding feast ... We are being invited, then, to meditate on this renewal of ourselves, of our institutions, and of everything around us, but we must bear in mind that the renewal will come in its fullness only at the wedding feast of the last day.”
“We are invited to the wedding feast because the new wine will never run short!” Pope Francis
Questions to Reflect upon this week:
For Adults: When have you stepped in, as Mary did at Cana, to try and make a difficult situation easier for someone?
For children: What can you do this week to help make someone's job a little easier?
Choose one of the Following Activities to help your family live the readings this week
- Plan a family celebration for the gifts that each family member has received from God. Each member should contribute to the celebration by offering something they created by using a talent God has given them. (For example, one child could play something on the piano; another could make a banner thanking God; another family member could bake cookies.) The celebration should include a short prayer service thanking God for the gifts.
- Go for a winter walk with your family as a reminder of the gifts of nature. As you walk together, point out all the wondrous gifts of creation. Make an arrangement of winter gifts to remind the family of God’s abundance.
- Discuss the different ministries within your church and the people who use their gifts for the community. Have each family member write a note of appreciation to one of these members of the community.
- Each evening at dinnertime, ask a different family member to name one gift that each other member of the family brings to the family.
Weekly Justice Challenge
Justice Challenge: On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court made abortion legal in our country. Since then millions and millions of unborn babies have been killed. The most basic of all human rights is life. The most basic of all Catholic social principles is the right to life and dignity for every human person. Your challenge this week is to do something to promote life and dignity for all. Advocate for unborn babies, fight against euthanasia or the death penalty, speak out for the rights of those whose dignity has been stripped from them. ©Center for Ministry Development. Published by the Pastoral Center / PastoralCenter.com. All rights reserved.
Saint of the Week
Saint Fabian Jan. 19
Saint Fabian is the patron saint of Rome
Click on the image below for a short bio and reflection