Photo: Boston Harbor

 

Prayer: Thomas Merton

Prayer is freedom and affirmation growing out of nothingness into love. Prayer is the flowering of our inmost freedom, in response to the Word of God.

Photo: Your Spirit Whispering

 

Spirituality: Byron Katie in A Thousand Names for Joy

 Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don't have to like it – it's just easier if you do. If you have a problem, it can only be because of your unquestioned thinking. How do you react when you believe that the past should have been different? You scare yourself stuck because what you resist persists. You get to keep your stressful world, a world that doesn't exist except in your imagination; you get to stay in the nightmare. It hurts to oppose reality because in opposing reality, you are opposing your very self.

When inquiry is alive inside you, every thought you think ends with a question mark instead of a period ... I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn't believe them, I didn't suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always.

Spirituality: Martin Shaw from "Navigating the Mysteries," in Emergence Magazine

What if we reframed "living with uncertainty" to "navigating mystery"? There's more energy in that phrase... But to navigate mystery is not the same thing as living with uncertainty ...Navigating mystery humbles us, reminds us with every step that we don't know everything, are not, in fact, the masters of all.

As humans we've long been forged on the anvil of mysteries: Why are we here? Why do we die? What is love? We are tuned like a cello to vibrate with such questions.

... one day we have to walk our questions, our yearnings, our longings. We have to set out into those mysteries, even with the uncertainty. Especially with the uncertainty. Make it magnificent. We take the adventure. Not naively but knowing this is what a grown-up does. We embark. Let your children see you do it. Set sail, take the wing, commit to the stomp. Evoke a playful boldness that makes even angels swoon. There's likely something tremendous waiting.

Photo: Climbing Flowers

 

Photo: Reality

 

Spirituality: Henri Nouwen, "A Meditation on Community"

 Community is first and foremost a gift of the Holy Spirit, not built upon mutual compatibility, shared affection, or common interests but upon having received the same divine breath, having been given a heart set aflame by the same divine fire, and having been embraced by the same divine love.

It is Time to Accept Yes: The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026

                                               It is Time to Accept Yes:

The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026 

January 25, 2026

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Isaiah 8:23-9:3; Psalm 27; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; Matthew 4:12-23

 

The arrest of John the Baptist was the signal that Jesus could begin his ministry in earnest. John held a place of public prominence and Jesus was still unknown to most of Israel. John was preaching repentance for the coming day of salvation, and Jesus begins to announce that the time has come. The two could not be preached at the same time. The message of Jesus had a radical immediacy about it. Now, that the message was announced, he could begin to assemble his ministerial team. 

 

Jesus showed that his presence made holy what was regarded as profane. The land of Zebulun and Napthali was considered forsaken and barren, and Jesus chose this as his base of preaching, by the Sea of Galilee in Capernaum. His act of preaching redeemed a land once forsaken, thereby foreshadowing his work of redeeming humanity. The people who lived in darkness could now see they are welcomed by God and enjoy a place of privilege. Jesus shows that it is from this disregarded place that he will select his band of preachers and helpers.

 

Sometimes when we think of the first Disciples, we think of them as saints from the first instant. So much has been written about them that we see them in an exalted state. It is important for us to see them as disregarded people who were called to greater matters. It can be a source of great consolation because many of us think that we could not be called to greater things because we are ordinary. What makes the ordinary extraordinary is trusting and then accepting the invitations that are before us. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were from an ordinary fishing families, and they answered “Yes” to a curious invitation. The search for the Kingdom of God rests in each person, and we seek it out all our lives.

 

What is your experience of saying “No.” It seems like we spend many of our early years learning to say “No,” and by the time we become adults, “No” is so ingrained in us that we forget the freedom of learning to say “Yes.” Maybe saying “No” makes us grow old. People who do not travel far from their way of life tend to live in fear. When we say no, we can no longer imagine the new and the unknown, and we settle into a quiet status quo. 

 

The two sets of brothers learned to say “yes” without a roadmap. Together with Jesus they learned how to make their new adventure happen. Sometimes saying “Yes” does not make any sense, and that is where it becomes a little frightening, a little exhilarating. Suddenly, the possibilities become fun. Accepting something new in our lives scares most people to death as they would rather have what is familiar and comfortable. It takes us out of our comfort zones, but we can do through trusting that all will be okay. In fact, it will be better than okay. We can enter a mystery where we cannot see the way forward, and yet, we know it is the only way forward. It is a land of the unknown where the journey will unfold with each new step.

 

Accepting a new invitation opens our world to freshness and redemption. The people of the forsaken lands of Zebulun and Naphtali said “Yes” and God redeemed them. Imagine what your “yes” can do for you. You glimpse the possibilities of the Kingdom, and you know, deep down, you have been called to greater matters. The Kingdom of God has been opened for you.

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

Monday: (2 Timothy 1) For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.

 

Tuesday: (2 Samuel 6) Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. When he finished making these offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

 

Wednesday: (2 Samuel 7) Should you build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day on which I led the children of Israel out of Egypt to the present, 
but I have been going about in a tent under cloth.

 

Thursday: (2 Samuel 7) “You have established for yourself your people Israel as yours forever, and you, LORD, have become their God. And now, LORD God, confirm for all time the prophecy you have made concerning your servant and his house, and do as you have promised.

 

Friday (2 Samuel 11) David, however, remained in Jerusalem. One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful.

 

Saturday (2 Samuel 12) Nathan said: “Judge this case for me! In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor. The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers. But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children.

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (Mark 3) Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

 

Tuesday: (Mark 3) A crowd seated around him told him, "Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you." But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"

 

Wednesday (Mark 4) Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.

 

Thursday (Mark 4) Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.

 

Friday (Mark 4) This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

 

Saturday (Mark 4) On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,so that it was already filling up.

 

Saints of the Week

 

January 25: The Conversion of Paul, the Apostle, was a pivotal point in the life of the early church. Scripture contains three accounts of his call and the change of behavior and attitudes that followed. Paul's story is worth knowing as it took him 14 years of prayer and study to find meaning in what happened to him on the road to Damascus.

 

January 26: Timothy and Titus, bishops (1st century), were disciples of Paul who later became what we know of as bishops. Timothy watched over the people of Ephesus and Titus looked after Crete. Both men worked with Paul and became a community leader. Timothy was martyred while Titus died of old age. 

 

January 27: Angela Merici (1474-1540), was the founder of the Ursuline nuns. Relatives raised her when her parents died when she was 10. As an adult, she tended to the needs of the poor and with some friends, she taught young girls at their home. These friends joined an association that later became a religious order. Ursula was the patron of medieval universities.

 

January 28: Thomas Aquinas, priest and Doctor (1225-1274), studied in a Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino as a boy. He joined the newly formed Dominicans where he studied in France and Italy. He is a giant scholar. He wrote much on Scripture and theology, including his summation of theology (Summa Theologiae). He wrote several songs for liturgy, such as the Tantum Ergo, Pange Lingua, and Adoro Te Devote.

 

January 31: John Bosco, priest (1815-1888), formed his Society to aid children who were imprisoned. He used Francis de Sales as his inspiration. He taught poor and working class boys in the evenings wherever it was possible to meet them - in fields, factories, or homes. A sister community was set up to assist young girls who were sent to work. 

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• January 25, 1707. Cardinal Tournon, Apostolic Visitor of the missions in China, forbade the use of the words 'Tien' or 'Xant' for God and ordered the discontinuance by the Christians of the Chinese Rites. 
• January 26, 1611. The first Jesuit missionaries sailed from Europe for New France (Canada). 
• January 27, 1870. The Austrian government endeavored to suppress the annual grant of 8,000 florins to the theological faculty of Innsbruck and to drive the Jesuit professors from the university, because of their support of the Papal Syllabus. 
• January 28, 1853. Fr. General John Roothaan, wishing to resign his office, summoned a General Congregation, but died on May 8, before it assembled. 
• January 29, 1923. Woodstock scholastics kept a fire vigil for several months to prevent the Ku Klux Klan from setting the college on fire. 
• January 30, 1633. At Avignon, Fr. John Pujol, a famous master of novices, died. He ordered one of them to water a dry stick, which miraculously sprouted. 
• January 31, 1774. Fr. General Laurence Ricci, a prisoner in Castel S Angelo, claimed his liberty, since his innocence had been fully vindicated. He received from the Papal Congregation the reply that they would think about it. Pope Clement XIV was said at this time to be mentally afflicted.

Es hora de aceptar el sí: El Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario 2026

                                               Es hora de aceptar el sí:

El Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario 2026

25 de enero de 2026

www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com

predmoresj@yahoo.com | 617.510.9673

Isaías 8:23-9:3; Salmo 27; 1 Corintios 1:10-17; Mateo 4:12-23

 

El arresto de Juan el Bautista fue la señal de que Jesús podía comenzar su ministerio con seriedad. Juan ocupaba un lugar de prominencia pública y Jesús aún era desconocido para la mayor parte de Israel. Juan predicaba el arrepentimiento para el venidero día de salvación, y Jesús comienza a anunciar que el tiempo ha llegado. Ambos no podían predicarse simultáneamente. El mensaje de Jesús tenía una inmediatez radical. Ahora que el mensaje había sido anunciado, podía comenzar a reunir a su equipo ministerial.

 

Jesús demostró que su presencia santificaba lo que se consideraba profano. La tierra de Zabulón y Neftalí se consideraba abandonada y estéril, y Jesús la eligió como base de su predicación, junto al mar de Galilea, en Capernaúm. Su predicación redimió una tierra que antes estaba abandonada, anticipando así su obra de redención de la humanidad. Quienes vivían en la oscuridad ahora podían ver que Dios los acoge y disfrutaban de un lugar privilegiado. Jesús muestra que es desde este lugar desatendido que seleccionará a su grupo de predicadores y ayudantes.

 

A veces, cuando pensamos en los primeros discípulos, los imaginamos santos desde el primer instante. Se ha escrito tanto sobre ellos que los vemos en un estado de exaltación. Es importante que los veamos como personas olvidadas, llamadas a cosas mayores. Esto puede ser una fuente de gran consuelo, ya que muchos pensamos que no podríamos ser llamados a cosas mayores por ser personas comunes. Lo que hace extraordinario lo común es confiar y aceptar las invitaciones que se nos presentan. Pedro, Andrés, Santiago y Juan provenían de una familia común de pescadores y respondieron "sí" a una invitación curiosa. La búsqueda del Reino de Dios permanece en cada persona y la buscamos toda la vida.

 

¿Cuál es tu experiencia al decir "no"? Parece que pasamos gran parte de nuestra infancia aprendiendo a decir "no", y para cuando nos convertimos en adultos, el "no" está tan arraigado en nosotros que olvidamos la libertad de aprender a decir "sí". Quizás decir "no" nos hace envejecer. Las personas que no se alejan mucho de su estilo de vida tienden a vivir con miedo. Cuando decimos que no, ya no podemos imaginar lo nuevo ni lo desconocido, y nos instalamos en un statu quo tranquilo.

 

Los dos grupos de hermanos aprendieron a decir "sí" sin un plan. Junto con Jesús, aprendieron a hacer realidad su nueva aventura. A veces, decir "sí" no tiene sentido, y ahí es donde se vuelve un poco aterrador, un poco emocionante. De repente, las posibilidades se vuelven divertidas. Aceptar algo nuevo en nuestras vidas asusta muchísimo a la mayoría de las personas, ya que prefieren lo familiar y cómodo. Nos saca de nuestra zona de confort, pero podemos hacerlo confiando en que todo estará bien. De hecho, será mejor que bien. Podemos adentrarnos en un misterio donde no podemos ver el camino a seguir, y sin embargo, sabemos que es el único camino. Es una tierra de lo desconocido donde el viaje se revelará con cada nuevo paso.

 

Aceptar una nueva invitación abre nuestro mundo a la frescura y la redención. El pueblo de las tierras abandonadas de Zabulón y Neftalí dijo "Sí" y Dios los redimió. Imagina lo que tu "sí" puede hacer por ti. Vislumbras las posibilidades del Reino y sabes, en el fondo, que has sido llamado a cosas mayores. El Reino de Dios se ha abierto para ti.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

Lunes: (2 Timoteo 1) Por eso te recuerdo que avives el fuego del don de Dios que tienes por la imposición de mis manos. Porque Dios no nos dio un espíritu de cobardía, sino de poder, amor y dominio propio.

 

Martes: (2 Samuel 6) Entonces David ofreció holocaustos y ofrendas de paz ante el SEÑOR. Al terminar de ofrecer estas ofrendas, bendijo al pueblo en el nombre del SEÑOR de los ejércitos.

 

Miércoles: (2 Samuel 7) ¿Deberías construirme una casa para vivir? No he habitado en casa alguna desde el día en que saqué a los hijos de Israel de Egipto hasta hoy, 
sino que he estado deambulando en una tienda bajo una tela.

 

Jueves: (2 Samuel 7) «Has establecido a tu pueblo Israel como tuyo para siempre, y tú, Señor, te has convertido en su Dios. Y ahora, Señor Dios, confirma para siempre la profecía que has hecho acerca de tu siervo y su casa, y cumple lo que has prometido.

 

Viernes (2 Samuel 11) David, sin embargo, permaneció en Jerusalén. Una tarde, David se levantó de su siesta y paseó por la azotea del palacio. Desde la azotea, vio a una mujer bañándose, que era muy hermosa.

 

Sábado (2 Samuel 12) Natán dijo: "¡Juzga este caso por mí! En cierto pueblo había dos hombres, uno rico y el otro pobre. El rico tenía rebaños y manadas en gran número. Pero el pobre no tenía nada en absoluto, excepto una corderita que había comprado. La alimentó, y ella creció con él y sus hijos.

 

Evangelio:

Lunes: (Marcos 3) Los convocó y comenzó a hablarles en parábolas: "¿Cómo puede Satanás expulsar a Satanás? Si un reino está dividido contra sí mismo, ese reino no puede subsistir.

 

Martes: (Marcos 3) Una multitud sentada a su alrededor le dijo: «Tu madre, tus hermanos y tus hermanas están afuera y te buscan». Pero él les respondió: «¿Quiénes son mi madre y mis hermanos?».

 

Miércoles (Marcos 4) ¡Escuchen esto! Un sembrador salió a sembrar. Y mientras sembraba, una parte de la semilla cayó en el camino, y los pájaros vinieron y se la comieron. Otra parte cayó en terreno pedregoso, donde había poca tierra. Brotó enseguida porque la tierra no era profunda.

 

Jueves (Marcos 4) ¿Acaso se trae una lámpara para colocarla debajo de un celemín o debajo de la cama, y no para colocarla sobre un candelero? Porque nada hay oculto excepto para hacerse visible; nada es secreto excepto para salir a la luz.

 

Viernes (Marcos 4) Así es el Reino de Dios; es como si un hombre esparciera semilla en la tierra, y durmiera y se levantara noche y día, y la semilla brotara y creciera, sin que él supiera cómo. Por sí sola, la tierra da fruto: primero hierba, luego espiga, y luego grano lleno en la espiga.

 

Sábado (Marcos 4) Ese día, al anochecer, Jesús dijo a sus discípulos: «Pasemos a la otra orilla». Dejando a la multitud, llevaron a Jesús en la barca, tal como estaba. Había otras barcas con él. Se desató una fuerte borrasca y las olas rompían sobre la barca, de modo que ya se estaba llenando.

 

Santos de la semana

 

25 de enero: La conversión del apóstol Pablo fue un punto crucial en la vida de la iglesia primitiva. Las Escrituras contienen tres relatos de su llamado y del cambio de comportamiento y actitud que le siguió. Vale la pena conocer la historia de Pablo, pues le tomó 14 años de oración y estudio encontrarle sentido a lo que le sucedió en el camino a Damasco.

 

26 de enero: Timoteo y Tito, obispos (siglo I), fueron discípulos de Pablo y posteriormente se convirtieron en lo que conocemos como obispos. Timoteo velaba por el pueblo de Éfeso y Tito por Creta. Ambos trabajaron con Pablo y se convirtieron en líderes comunitarios. Timoteo fue martirizado, mientras que Tito murió de vejez.

 

27 de enero: Angela Merici (1474-1540) fue la fundadora de las monjas Ursulinas. Sus familiares la criaron tras la muerte de sus padres, a los 10 años. De adulta, atendió a los pobres y, con algunas amigas, dio clases a niñas en su casa. Estas amigas se unieron a una asociación que posteriormente se convirtió en una orden religiosa. Úrsula fue la patrona de las universidades medievales.

 

28 de enero: Tomás de Aquino, sacerdote y doctor (1225-1274), estudió en un monasterio benedictino en Montecassino de niño. Se unió a los recién formados dominicos, donde estudió en Francia e Italia. Es un erudito destacado. Escribió mucho sobre las Sagradas Escrituras y la teología, incluyendo su Summa Theologiae . Compuso varios cantos para la liturgia, como el Tantum Ergo, el Pange Lingua y la Adoración. Te devoto.

 

31 de enero: Juan Bosco, sacerdote (1815-1888), fundó su Sociedad para ayudar a los niños encarcelados. Se inspiró en Francisco de Sales. Enseñaba a niños pobres y de clase trabajadora por las tardes donde fuera posible encontrarlos: en campos, fábricas o casas. Se fundó una comunidad hermana para ayudar a las niñas enviadas a trabajar.

 

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 25 de enero de 1707. El cardenal Tournon, Visitador Apostólico de las misiones en China, prohibió el uso de las palabras 'Tien' o ' Xant ' para Dios y ordenó la interrupción por parte de los cristianos de los ritos chinos.
• 26 de enero de 1611. Los primeros misioneros jesuitas zarparon desde Europa hacia Nueva Francia (Canadá).
• 27 de enero de 1870. El gobierno austríaco intentó suprimir la subvención anual de 8.000 florines a la facultad de teología de Innsbruck y expulsar a los profesores jesuitas de la universidad, debido a su apoyo al Syllabus Papal.
• 28 de enero de 1853. El hermano general John Roothaan , deseando renunciar a su cargo, convocó una Congregación General, pero murió el 8 de mayo, antes de que se reuniera.
• 29 de enero de 1923. Los estudiantes de Woodstock mantuvieron una vigilia contra incendios durante varios meses para evitar que el Ku Klux Klan incendiara la universidad.
• 30 de enero de 1633. En Aviñón, falleció el hermano Juan Pujol, famoso maestro de novicios. Ordenó a uno de ellos que regara un palo seco, que brotó milagrosamente.
• 31 de enero de 1774. El hermano general Laurence Ricci, prisionero en Castel S. Angelo, reclamó su libertad, pues su inocencia había sido plenamente reivindicada. Recibió de la Congregación Papal la respuesta de que lo considerarían. Se decía que en ese momento el papa Clemente XIV padecía problemas mentales.