Catholic Inkl
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THE WEEK AHEAD SUNDAY MASS FAITH AND THE PANDEMIC ❈ ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Live the Word 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the atholic ink Divine Offi ce: Week IV 31 January 2021 Mon 1 Feb Bl. Benedict Daswa, M C nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and Wisdom 2:12-20; Psalm 27; John 12:24-26 L make it our glory to praise you. FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 18:15-20. Loving God, like Blessed Benedict, may I always proclaim the truth of the Gospel by the witness of my RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 95. life. Keep me away from all deeds of darkness. Make RESPONSE: Return me a true Apostle of Life in my family and in society. O that today you would listen to his voice! ast week we considered the element of loving person. Family members could not Harden not your hearts. Tue 2 Feb PRESENTATION OF THE LORD retreat in our refl ection on four biblical believe the change, the new-found liberation themes helpful to our faith response to from negativity and the serenity she brought 1. Come, let us ring out our joy to the Lord; Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24; Luke 2:22-40 L hail the rock who saves us. the Covid pandemic. After the “time out” to all her relationships. In many religious orders novices traditionally commit which retreat The most Let us come into his presence, giving thanks; themselves to fi rst vows on today's feast. Let us come let us hail him with a song of praise. implies, there is recent example is ℟ before God today and pray, "Here I am Lord, do with a return. But the of someone who 2. O come; let us bow and bend low. me what you will", and surrender yourself to God. one returning is had contracted Let us kneel before the God who made us, changed, and Covid-19 in for he is our God and we Wed 3 Feb (St Blaise, BM) the place one its severest the people who belong to his pasture, Hebrews 12:4-7.11-15; Psalm 103; Mark 6:1-6 returns to is also form leading to the fl ock that is led by his hand. ℟ Strive for peace with everyone: do not hold grudg- changed. By unconsciousness 3. O that today you would listen to his voice! es; let go of what steals your joy; be kind to those place we don’t for two days. just mean a Once again there ‘Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, with a negative attitude; refuse to make an enemy as on that day at Massah in the desert street address. is a new-found of anyone; reconcile, even when its not your fault. when your forebears put me to the test; How many times inner freedom when they tried me, though they saw my Thu 4 Feb Liturgy of the Day haven’t we heard and a change work.’ ℟ Hebrews 12:18-19.21-24; Psalm 48; Mark 6:7-13 the phrase “the of priorities in SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. new normal” life. What both Most of us carry too much baggage – too much stuff, applied to what patients have GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: too many hard memories, too many fears. Life is a we expect to get said is that after Alleluia, alleluia! The people who sat in darkness journey and Jesus instructs us to travel light, trusting back to after the their near-death have seen a great light, and for those who sat that what we need will be provided. pandemic. Things experience they in the region and shadow of death light has will never be the Photo by Sharefaith from Pexels have a completely Fri 5 Feb St Agatha, VM dawned. Alleluia. same. different GOSPEL: Mark 1:21-28. Hebrews 13:1-8; Psalm 27; Mark 6:14-29 More pertinent to our faith reflection, perspective on the things that matter and the COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Many think that God is elusive, but quite simply however, is to ponder on the person returning. things that don’t. Their eyes were opened to Let your face shine on your servant, Save me in God is present when love is present. We see God's What changes have happened there? By way know what’s really essential and to challenge your merciful love, O Lord, let me not be put to face whenever we open our hearts to the weak of common analogy, it is often said that family that subtle distinction in our brainwashed minds shame, for I call on you. and the vulnerable. members who have travelled abroad, younger about the difference between “I want” and “I ones who have done “gap” years (a form of need”. Both returned with a sense of gratitude Sat 6 Feb Ss Paul Miki & Companions, Ms retreat!) or who have studied overseas, return for even the smallest blessings. The lives of saints and other holy Hebrews 13:15-17.20-21; Psalm 23; Mark 6:30-34 with new attitudes. “My, how you’ve grown!”, Gratitude must become the “new normal” people show us what ordinary Technology and noise seemingly invade our every we might hear Granny say. as we gradually return from the exile which There is, however, a far more intense the pandemic has imposed on us. We have all human beings, aided by the waking moment, and can block out what is impor- experience from which people return differently: been at death’s door so to speak. Some have grace of God, have managed tant. Like Jesus did, fi nd a quiet place to allow your to accomplish. They give us those who have looked death in the face. There had to face the death of loved ones, but all heart to open up to a deeper spiritual connection. examples of greatness and are volumes of written records of people who of us have had to face the hard fact that the nobility of spirit. This booklet is Sun 7 Feb 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME have had a “near death experience”. But we Coronavirus is a potential killer. Its properties an anthology of lives of some don’t need to get bogged down on a discussion have been so elusive that no one can claim great people and the prayers they Job 7:1-4.6-7; Psalm 147; Mark 1:29-39 of the mechanics of it all. All we need to do is absolute freedom from risk. composed. Written by Fr Larry The story of Job reminds us that our faith does not heed the words of Jesus: “By their fruits you On that point, it is not over yet, as we all Kaufmann CSsR. preserve us from pain. But as Christians we are not will know them.” Today’s Link writer can vouch know. But we can already practice the lessons for two profound examples. learned from when the fi rst major lockdown R50 plus delivery alone. Jesus, who knows quite a bit about pain and suffering, is with us in our anguish at all times. In the fi rst case a mother and grandmother began in March 2020 to today. We can change who much of her life lived with unfortunate attitudes and behaviour. We can return from Order from our website www.rpp.org.za or email (KEY: SOLEMNITY; FEAST; Memorial; (Optional Memorial) phobias and complexes, returned from death’s our ordeal more wise and more mature. We [email protected]. Enquiries: 082 667 3857. M=Martyr; B=Bishop; V=Virgin Books from Redemptorist Pastoral Publications Redemptorist Pastoral Books from door a different person. She let go of all her must see things differently now, and be more Redemptorist Copyright. Do not reproduce without permission. © Redemptorist Pastoral Publications, P O Box 341, Merrivale, 3291. hang-ups and all she wanted to be was a more grateful, or it’s all been a waste of time. Publications Phone 082 667 3857. Fax 086 545 4381. Email: [email protected]. Internet: www.rpp.org.za. SouthAfrica ❈ MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS: our hands. Just observing someone will not let you seek the healing power of Jesus of Nazareth, the Holy (Fr Mike offers his daily private Mass for the intentions know if that person might test positive for COVID-19. One of God. requested each day when there are no public Masses) ONLINE MASSES: Sunday Masses are available In this Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 1:21-28), Jesus comes One of the ‘demons’ that can easily captivate us in this online, via YouTube and Facebook from 8am. into the synagogue in Capernaum. He astonishes the time of lockdown and distancing from others is the people because he teaches “as one having authority demon that takes advantage of our aloneness to (No Public Masses until advised) and not as the scribes.” create in us a desperate sense of loneliness and self- St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish Weekend Sat 30 & Sun 31 Jan pity that saps us of our emotional and spiritual energy. Father Michael Foley, OMI (Parish Priest) Archbishop Abel Gabuza R.I.P. [Parish] While there, a man possessed by an unclean spirit Jesus can give us the grace to turn from focusing on C: 072 968 3394 Monsignor Paul Nadal R.I.P. [Parish] suddenly cries out, “Have you come to destroy us?” self towards reaching out in care to others through Deacon Malcolm Wright H: 031 466 4524 Emma & Taryn’s Birthdays [Naidoo Family] prayer, phone calls etc.