Photo: Glass Vases

 

Prayer: Julian of Norwich

God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are sufficient for me. I may not correctly ask for anything less, to be worthy of you. If I were to ask anything less, I should always be in need, for in you alone do I have all.

Spirituality: Bernard Beckett, in "Genesis"

Human spirit is the ability to face the uncertainty of the future with curiosity and optimism. It is the belief that problems can be solved, differences resolved. It is a type of confidence, and it is fragile.

Photo: Three Vials

 

Prayer: Catherine of Siena

O tender God, you gave me more, much more than I ever thought to ask for. I realize that our human desires can never really match what you long to give us. Thanks and again thanks for having granted my petitions and for granting that which I never realized I needed.

Fr. Predmore's Fundraiser

 Bear with me while I present a wild and crazy idea. After all, this is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, so let me present to you my fund raising initiative. 

 

For months I have been reading about the situation with the homeless at intersections of Mass and Cass (Massachusetts and Melnea Cass Avenues), and have felt, like you, powerless to be an active part of the solution. Prayer sufficed, and prayer is the best part. The Jesuit community prayed often for a humane solution for this societal challenge.

 

In early January, I kept waking up with the prompting to do something tangible. I went to the website of the agency that is directly behind the infamous intersection and I saw a unique opportunity at the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program (BCHCP). I was making a donation in honor of the late Mary Richardson, who was a Channel 5 co-host of the long-running series Chronicle. This strange and wild idea would not leave me.

 

Vincent Van Gogh once wrote, “If you hear a voice within you say, "you cannot paint," then go ahead and paint, and the voice will be silenced.”

 

On their website, BCHCP had a fund raising project directly connected with the Boston Marathon, an iconic sports event in New England. It asks participants to raise $10,000.00 for the agency which allows you a non-competitive bid to enter the Boston Marathon. That is what I intend to do. 

 

But, Fr. John…… you are of a mature age and you are overweight. Yes, you are right. I will be entering the marathon rather than racing in it. I am a practical man and a realist. I will do my best to pace myself with jogging mixed with walking, but the goal is not the race but to raise money for the homeless. For me, it is a daunting undertaking and I need your help in two ways. 

 

What do I need? I need to raise $10,000 by early April, and your financial support will take a burden off of me. I cannot put a burden on the Jesuit community for financial support because we are a community of low financial resources. I need your prayers. Please pray for the People of God who are without adequate housing and have many complicated needs. As temporary housing is set up for those who are struggling, their precarious situation appears long-term. I want them to know that we regard them with the dignity that is inherent in their humanity and that together we can work for compassionate solutions for all our societal challenges. 

 

Please know of my prayers for you as you support my fund raising goals. 

 

https://www.givengain.com/ap/john-predmore-raising-funds-for-boston-health-care-for-the-homeless-program/

 

 

The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

                                                               Called Today                                           

                                The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 6, 2022

www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com

predmoresj@yahoo.com | 617.510.9673

Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

 

          The call of Peter in Luke’s Gospel is so human and ordinary that many of us can relate to his pushing away Jesus because he doesn’t not feel worthy of being called into discipleship. Within the early part of the Spiritual Exercises, there is a meditation that shows us what would happen if Jesus obeyed Peter, or Jesus obeyed us, when he told him to go away. What is Jesus honored our request and did not enter into this relationship with us? What would our lives be like? Thankfully, as people of faith, we don’t have to experience that, and yet there are many people who are not in a friendship with Jesus. 

 

Imagine how we would respond to Jesus if we were at our jobs or in our homes and he asked us to be serious about following him today. We would not likely say, “Pardon me, but I think you’ve got the wrong person. You must be mistaken.” We would most likely protest a bit more until he reassured us that we are indeed the person he seeks. And then, what does following him look like today, especially in a world that seems broken in many ways?

 

We might likely find ourselves with People of Good will all around us, and we would be asked to have an attitude of openness to the ways of the Holy Spirit. We wouldn’t be concerned with only the internal affairs of the church as we would have an outward thrust trying to interact with those who are seekers, with those who do not yet have a name for God. We would enter into the door of the secular world so that through our actions and words, using their own words and experiences, we would bring them to knowledge of God. We would seek out people of different Christian religions, people of different faiths, and not hold them in suspicion or ill-judgment. We would try to understand how they are experiencing their holiness and to see what feeds their dignity. We would be willing to go to the frontiers, to the margins, where there are no borders, so we can seek out the lost and let them know of the joy we have because we live for Christ. Our joy will be the proof of our salvation.

 

Perhaps we do not use the language of sin or reform, but we use words that speak of right action and positive choices. We might want to encourage, affirm, build up, and behold the dignity that already exists in the person, and them help them to attain their potential as a righteous person of extreme worth and value. Our language will be a peaceful vocabulary and will adapt to their situations whether they are the influential, the marginalized and excluded, the youth, or any other situation. We must find the good in others, uphold it, and seek to do better.

 

We will demonstrate our ability to enter into and to sustain dialogue, so that we may come to understand and appreciate. Dialogue is the way of the future, and it will be the model for the church, as it moves to the Synod. Dialogue bears the fruit on comprehension without seeing the need to change anyone. We will examine our existing structures together to see what is right for the world and what might need to better adapt to our extraordinary times. Through dialogue, we will deepen our spiritual lives so we stay attuned to the Spirit’s movements and promptings, and we will come to live in awe of the ongoing work in the world and in our personal development. At the end of the day, we will sigh and say, “This is truly a remarkable mission. I’m grateful that you have called me to the mission to see and to learn of your mystery in this present age. Amen. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

 

Monday: (2 Samuel 15) An informant came to David with the report, “The children of Israel have transferred their loyalty to Absalom.” At this, David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem: “Up!  Let us take flight, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Leave quickly, lest he hurry and overtake us.

 

Tuesday: (2 Samuel 18) Absalom unexpectedly came up against David’s servants.
He was mounted on a mule, and, as the mule passed under the branches of a large terebinth, his hair caught fast in the tree. He hung between heaven and earth while the mule he had been riding ran off.

 

Wednesday: (Malachi 3) Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; and suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.

 

Thursday: (1 Kings 2) David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

 

Friday (Sirach 47) He added beauty to the feasts and solemnized the seasons of each year So that when the Holy Name was praised, before daybreak the sanctuary would resound. The Lord forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever; He conferred on him the rights of royalty and established his throne in Israel. 

 

Saturday (1 Kings 3) Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (Mark 5) Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea,
to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him.

 

Tuesday: (Mark 5) One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.”

 

Wednesday (Luke 2) When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

 

Thursday (Mark 6) Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts.

 

Friday (Mark 6) King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” 

 

Saturday (Mark 6) “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.

 

Saints of the Week

 

February 6: Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs (d. 1597), were martyred in Nagasaki, Japan for being Christians. Miki was a Jesuit brother and a native Japanese who was killed alongside 25 clergy, religious, and laypeople. They were suspended on crosses and killed by spears thrust into their hearts. Remnants of the Christian community continued through baptism without any priestly leadership. It was discovered when Japan was reopened in 1865.

 

February 8: Jerome Emiliani (1481-1537), was a Venetian soldier who experienced a call to be a priest during this imprisonment as a captor. He devoted his work to the education of orphans, abandoned children, the poor and hungry. He founded an order to help in his work, but he died during a plague while caring for the sick. 

 

February 8: Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947) was a Sudanese who was sold as a slave to the Italian Consul, who treated her with kindness. She was baptized in Italy and took the name Josephine. Bakhita means fortunate. She was granted freedom according to Italian law and joined the Canossian Daughters of Charity where she lived simply as a cook, seamstress, and doorkeeper. She was known for her gentleness and compassion.

 

February 10: Scholastica (480-543) was the twin sister of Benedict, founder of Western monasticism. She is the patroness of Benedictine nuns. She was buried in her brother's tomb; they died relatively close to one another. 

 

February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes is remembered because between February 11 and July 16, 1858, Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in a cave near Lourdes, France eighteen times. The site remains one of the largest pilgrim destinations. Many find healing in the waters of the grotto during the spring.

 

February 12: Mardi Gras is your last chance to eat meat before Lent. This is the last day of Carnival (Carne- meat, Goodbye – vale). Say goodbye to meat as we begin the fasting practices tomorrow.

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• February 6, 1612. The death of Christopher Clavius, one of the greatest mathematicians and scientists of the Society. 
• February 7, 1878. At Rome, Pius IX died. He was sincerely devoted to the Society; when one of the cardinals expressed surprise that he could be so attached to an order against which even high ecclesiastics brought serious charges, his reply was: "You have to be pope to know the worth of the Society." 
• February 8, 1885. In Chicago, Fr. Isidore Bourdreaux, master of novices at Florissant, Missouri, from 1857 to 1870, died. He was the first scholastic novice to enter the Society from any of the colleges in Missouri. 
• February 9, 1621. Cardinal Ludovisi was elected Pope Gregory XV. He was responsible for the canonization of St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier. 
• February 10, 1773. The rector of Florence informed the general, Fr. Ricci, that a copy of the proposed Brief of Suppression had been sent to the Emperor of Austria. The general refused to believe that the Society would be suppressed. 
• February 11, 1563. At the Council of Trent, Fr. James Laynez, the Pope's theologian, made such an impression on the cardinal president by his learning and eloquence, that cardinal decided at once to open a Jesuit College in Mantua, his Episcopal see. 
• February 12, 1564. Francis Borgia was appointed assistant for Spain and Portugal.

El Quinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario 6 de febrero de 2022

                             El Quinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

6 de febrero de 2022

www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com

predmoresj@yahoo.com | 617.510.9673

Isaías 6:1-8; Salmo 138; 1 Corintios 15:1-11; Lucas 5:1-11

 

El llamado de Pedro en el Evangelio de Lucas es tan humano y común que muchos de nosotros podemos relacionarnos con su alejamiento de Jesús porque no se siente digno de ser llamado al discipulado. Dentro de la primera parte de los Ejercicios Espirituales, hay una meditación que nos muestra lo que sucedería si Jesús obedeciera a Pedro, o si Jesús nos obedeciera a nosotros, cuando le dijo que se fuera. ¿Jesús honró nuestra petición y no entró en esta relación con nosotros? ¿Cómo serían nuestras vidas? Afortunadamente, como personas de fe, no tenemos que experimentar eso y, sin embargo, hay muchas personas que no tienen una amistad con Jesús.

 

Imagínese cómo le responderíamos a Jesús si estuviéramos en nuestros trabajos o en nuestros hogares y nos pidiera que tomáramos en serio el seguirlo hoy. Probablemente no diríamos: “Perdóneme, pero creo que se ha equivocado de persona. Debes estar equivocado." Lo más probable es que protestemos un poco más hasta que nos asegure que somos la persona que busca. Y luego, ¿cómo es seguirlo hoy, especialmente en un mundo que parece roto en muchos sentidos?

 

Es probable que nos encontremos con Personas de Buena Voluntad a nuestro alrededor, y se nos pedirá que tengamos una actitud de apertura a los caminos del Espíritu Santo. No nos preocuparíamos solo por los asuntos internos de la iglesia, ya que tendríamos un impulso hacia afuera tratando de interactuar con aquellos que buscan, con aquellos que aún no tienen un nombre para Dios. Entraríamos por la puerta del mundo secular para que a través de nuestras acciones y palabras, usando sus propias palabras y experiencias, los llevemos al conocimiento de Dios. Buscaríamos personas de diferentes religiones cristianas, personas de diferentes creencias, y no las mantendríamos bajo sospecha o malos juicios. Intentaríamos comprender cómo están experimentando su santidad y ver qué alimenta su dignidad. Estaríamos dispuestos a ir a las fronteras, a los márgenes, donde no hay fronteras, para buscar a los perdidos y hacerles saber del gozo que tenemos porque vivimos para Cristo. Nuestro gozo será la prueba de nuestra salvación.

 

Quizás no usamos el lenguaje del pecado o la reforma, pero usamos palabras que hablan de acciones correctas y decisiones positivas. Podríamos querer alentar, afirmar, construir y contemplar la dignidad que ya existe en la persona, y ayudarlos a alcanzar su potencial como una persona justa de valor y valía extrema. Nuestro lenguaje será un vocabulario pacífico y se adaptará a sus situaciones ya sean los influyentes, los marginados y excluidos, los jóvenes o cualquier otra situación. Debemos encontrar el bien en los demás, defenderlo y buscar hacerlo mejor.

 

Demostraremos nuestra capacidad para entablar y mantener el diálogo, de modo que podamos llegar a comprender y apreciar. El diálogo es el camino del futuro , y será el modelo para la iglesia, en su camino hacia el Sínodo. El diálogo da fruto en la comprensión sin ver la necesidad de cambiar a nadie. Examinaremos nuestras estructuras existentes juntos para ver qué es lo correcto para el mundo y qué podría necesitar para adaptarse mejor a nuestros tiempos extraordinarios. A través del diálogo, profundizaremos nuestra vida espiritual para permanecer en sintonía con los movimientos y los impulsos del Espíritu, y llegaremos a vivir asombrados por el trabajo en curso en el mundo y en nuestro desarrollo personal. Al final del día, suspiraremos y diremos: “Esta es verdaderamente una misión extraordinaria. Estoy agradecido de que me hayas llamado a la misión de ver y aprender de tu misterio en esta época presente. Amén.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

 

Lunes: (2 Samuel 15) Un informante vino a David con el informe: “Los hijos de Israel han transferido su lealtad a Absalón”. Ante esto, David dijo a todos sus siervos que estaban con él en Jerusalén: “¡Levántense! Huyamos, o ninguno de nosotros escapará de Absalón. Váyanse rápido, no sea que se apresure y nos alcance.

 

Martes: (2 Samuel 18) Absalón inesperadamente se encontró con los sirvientes de David. 
Iba montado en un mulo y, al pasar el mulo por debajo de las ramas de un gran encinar, se le enganchó el pelo en el árbol. Colgaba entre el cielo y la tierra mientras la mula que montaba se escapaba.

 

Miércoles: (Malaquías 3) He aquí, envío mi mensajero para que prepare el camino delante de mí; y de repente vendrá al templo el Señor a quien buscáis, y el mensajero del pacto a quien deseáis.

 

Jueves: (1 Reyes 2) David descansó con sus antepasados y fue sepultado en la Ciudad de David. La duración del reinado de David sobre Israel fue de cuarenta años: siete años reinó en Hebrón y treinta y tres años en Jerusalén.

 

Viernes (Eclesiástico 47) Agregó belleza a las fiestas y solemnizó las estaciones de cada año Para que cuando se alabara el Santo Nombre, antes del amanecer resonara el santuario. El Señor le perdonó sus pecados y exaltó su fuerza para siempre; Le confirió los derechos de realeza y estableció su trono en Israel.

 

Sábado (1 Reyes 3) Da, pues, a tu siervo un corazón entendido para juzgar a tu pueblo y para distinguir el bien del mal. Porque ¿quién podrá gobernar este vasto pueblo tuyo?

 

Evangelio:

Lunes: ( Marcos 5) Jesús y sus discípulos llegaron al otro lado del mar, 
al territorio de los gerasenos . Cuando salió de la barca, en seguida le salió al encuentro un hombre de los sepulcros que tenía un espíritu inmundo.

 

Martes: (Marcos 5) Uno de los oficiales de la sinagoga, llamado Jairo, se adelantó. 
Al verlo, se postró a sus pies y le rogó encarecidamente, diciendo: “Mi hija está al borde de la muerte. Por favor, ven y pon tus manos sobre ella para que se mejore y viva”.

 

Miércoles (Lucas 2) Cuando se cumplieron los días para su purificación según la ley de Moisés, María y José llevaron a Jesús a Jerusalén para presentarlo al Señor.

 

Jueves (Marcos 6) Jesús llamó a los Doce y comenzó a enviarlos de dos en dos y les dio autoridad sobre los espíritus inmundos. Les ordenó que no llevaran para el camino nada más que un bastón, ni comida, ni alforja, ni dinero en el cinto.

 

Viernes (Marcos 6) El rey Herodes oyó hablar de Jesús, porque su fama se había generalizado, y la gente decía: “Juan el Bautista ha resucitado de entre los muertos; 
por eso grandes poderes obran en él.”

 

Sábado (Marcos 6) “Vengan solos a un lugar desierto y descansen un poco.” La gente iba y venía en gran número, y no tenían oportunidad ni siquiera de comer. Así que se fueron solos en la barca a un lugar desierto.

 

santos de la semana

 

6 de febrero: Paul Miki y Compañeros, mártires (m. 1597), fueron martirizados en Nagasaki, Japón por ser cristianos. Miki era un hermano jesuita y un japonés nativo que fue asesinado junto con 25 clérigos, religiosos y laicos. Fueron suspendidos en cruces y asesinados con lanzas clavadas en sus corazones. Los remanentes de la comunidad cristiana continuaron hasta el bautismo sin ningún liderazgo sacerdotal. Fue descubierto cuando Japón fue reabierto en 1865.

 

8 de febrero: Jerome Emiliani (1481-1537), fue un soldado veneciano que experimentó la llamada al sacerdocio durante este encarcelamiento como captor. Dedicó su obra a la educación de los huérfanos, los niños abandonados, los pobres y los hambrientos. Fundó una orden para ayudar en su trabajo, pero murió durante una plaga mientras cuidaba a los enfermos.

 

8 de febrero: Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947) era una sudanesa que fue vendida como esclava al cónsul italiano, quien la trató con amabilidad. Fue bautizada en Italia y tomó el nombre de Josefina. Bakhita significa afortunado. Se le concedió la libertad de acuerdo con la ley italiana y se unió a las Hijas de la Caridad de Canossian , donde vivió simplemente como cocinera, costurera y portera. Era conocida por su dulzura y compasión.

 

10 de febrero: Escolástica (480-543) era la hermana gemela de Benito, fundador del monacato occidental. Es la patrona de las monjas benedictinas. Fue enterrada en la tumba de su hermano; murieron relativamente cerca uno del otro.

 

11 de febrero: Nuestra Señora de Lourdes es recordada porque entre el 11 de febrero y el 16 de julio de 1858, María se le apareció a Bernadette Soubirous en una cueva cerca de Lourdes, Francia dieciocho veces. El sitio sigue siendo uno de los mayores destinos de peregrinación. Muchos encuentran curación en las aguas de la gruta durante la primavera.

 

12 de febrero: Mardi Gras es tu última oportunidad de comer carne antes de la Cuaresma. Este es el último día de Carnaval (Carne- meat, Goodbye – vale). Dígale adiós a la carne cuando comencemos las prácticas de ayuno mañana.

 

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 6 de febrero de 1612. Muerte de Christopher Clavius , uno de los más grandes matemáticos y científicos de la Sociedad.
• 7 de febrero de 1878. En Roma muere Pío IX. Era sinceramente devoto de la Sociedad; cuando uno de los cardenales expresó su sorpresa de que pudiera estar tan apegado a una orden contra la cual incluso los altos eclesiásticos presentaron cargos graves, su respuesta fue: "Hay que ser Papa para saber el valor de la Fraternidad".
• 8 de febrero de 1885. En Chicago, el P. Murió Isidore Bourdreaux , maestro de novicios en Florissant, Missouri, de 1857 a 1870. Fue el primer novicio escolástico en ingresar a la Sociedad de cualquiera de las universidades de Missouri.
• 9 de febrero de 1621. El cardenal Ludovisi es elegido Papa Gregorio XV. Fue el responsable de la canonización de San Ignacio y San Francisco Javier.
• 10 de febrero de 1773. El rector de Florencia informa al general, fr. Ricci, que se había enviado una copia del propuesto Breve de Supresión al Emperador de Austria. El general se negó a creer que la Sociedad sería suprimida.
• 11 de febrero de 1563. En el Concilio de Trento, el P. James Laynez , el teólogo del Papa, impresionó tanto al cardenal presidente por su erudición y elocuencia, que el cardenal decidió de inmediato abrir un colegio jesuita en Mantua, su sede episcopal.
• 12 de febrero de 1564. Francisco Borgia es nombrado ayudante para España y Portugal.

Photo: A Blizzard

 

Prayer: A Prayer for Unity

In this century and in any century,

Our deepest hope, our most tender prayer,
Is that we learn to listen.
May we listen to one another in openness and mercy
May we listen to plants and animals in wonder and respect
May We listen to our own hearts in love and forgiveness
May we listen to God in quietness and awe.
And in this listening,
Which is boundless in its beauty,
May we find the wisdom to cooperate
With a healing spirit, a divine spirit
Who beckons us into peace and community and creativity.
We do not ask for a perfect world.
But we do ask for a better world.
We ask for deep listening.