Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus does everything He does from his own authority. In Greek, the work for authority is literally "from one's being". While the crowds did not understand that He was God, they did understand that He was working from his own power. He taught and healed as who He was.
We who follow Him work with His authority. But He also gives us authority as sons and daughters of God. Do we use it for the purpose with which it has be given?

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Did the fishermen understand what this seemingly simple explanation mean, or did they just follow, knowing that in time all would be revealed? They were asked to be formed in Jesus Christ, and with that formation to bring men into the Kingdom of God by sharing the good news.
We hear that some call in our lives. We are called to conform our lives to Christ and to transform the world around us by proclaiming the good news.

Second Sunday In Ordinary Time

Speak. Lord, your servant is listening! Samuel opens his ears and heart to the Lord, who called to him but he did not recognize who was calling. He lived in a time and culture when, as the verses before this reading relate, revelations were infrequent and visions rare. But the Lord was calling - the people were accustomed to not listening. Even Eli, the priest, missed the signs the first two times. But the beauty is that once he realizes what is going on, he is able to instruct Samuel, who then never ceases to listen to the Lord.
Andrew does not struggle with listening to the God. He, as a follower of John the Baptist, hears John point of Christ Jesus, calling Him the Lamb of God. He follows Jesus. When asked what he is looking for, he answers not with a desire to see the house of Jesus, but to know Him, to see where he lives. Andrew finds Simon, and tells him. Simon and Andrew both are able to hear the Lord, and they in turn help others.
We live in time that has distanced the Lord, by and large. But we have some people like Eli, John the Baptist, and Andrew. They can help us listen to the voice of the Lord, and help us to open our hearts to Him.

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The Epiphany of the Lord

Christ is revealed to the nations as God made flesh, and wise men, following the star, come to worship. They open up their treasures to the Lord, giving Him gold, a symbol of His kingship, frankincense, a symbol of divinity, and myrrh, as symbol of suffering sacrifice.
While star no longer shines and leads us to Christ, we follow Christ Himself as he is true light. We come to worship all the same, and we offer not treasures contained in coffers, but the gift of our hearts, redeemed by Christ.

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Mary is the Mother of God, and on this octave of Christmas, we take a further look at her Son. To proclaim Mary is the Mother of God is a proclamation that Jesus Christ is the incarnate Word of God. The Blessed Mother is often titled Theotokos, the God-bearer. It is not that she gave Christ existence - He was begotten by the Father before the ages - but gave Him flesh. Mary, Mother of God, reveals Christ to us. So we honor her, and we worship her Son who was born for our salvation.