Daily Reflections for Ordinary Time: Weeks 1-17

By John Paul Thomas

The Catholic Daily Reflections Series was written to help you enter more deeply into the Holy Scriptures and the Catholic Liturgy on a daily basis. Through these reflections and prayers, you are invited to embrace the Word of God in a personal, engaging, challenging and transforming way.

These reflections are also a great resource for priests and deacons for their daily homily preparations.
This Volume offers daily reflections and prayers for Ordinary Time Weeks 1-17.
Catholic Daily Reflections Series:
Volume One: Advent and Christmas
Volume Two: Lent and Easter
Volume Three: Ordinary Time: Weeks 1-17
Volume Four: Ordinary Time: Weeks 18-34

• Language: English
• Publisher: My Catholic Life Inc.
• Release date: Sep 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370461851

John Paul Thomas

"John Paul Thomas" is the pen name this Catholic priest chose in honor of the Apostles Saints John and Thomas and the great evangelist Saint Paul. This name also evokes the memory of the great Pope Saint John Paul II.John is the beloved apostle who sought out a deeply personal and intimate relationship with his Savior. Hopefully the writings in this book point us all to a deeply personal and intimate relationship with our God. May John be a model of this intimacy and love.Thomas is also a beloved apostle and close friend of Jesus but is well known for his lack of faith in Jesus' resurrection. Though he ultimately entered into a profound faith crying out, "my Lord and my God," he is given to us as a model of our own weakness of faith. Thomas should inspire us to always return to faith when we realize we have doubted.As a Pharisee, Paul severely persecuted the early Christian Church. However, after going through a powerful conversion, he went on to become the great evangelist to the gentiles, founding many new communities of believers and writing many letters contained in Sacred Scripture. His letters are deeply personal and reveal a shepherd's heart. He is a model for all as we seek to embrace our calling to spread the Gospel.

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INTRODUCTION

When I was in seminary, in the 1990’s, the rector was asked which day of the liturgical year was his favorite to celebrate.  Without pausing he immediately said, A weekday in Ordinary Time.  This surprised us.  We thought he would say Christmas or Easter or some other high feast day.  As the conversation went on he explained his reasoning.  Though the great feasts of the Church year were wonderful, filled with solemnity and meaning, there was something profound about celebrating the Mass on a weekday in Ordinary Time.  What was special about those days?  Nothing other than the fact that the Mass was the Mass and when it was celebrated on an ordinary day during the week, in Ordinary Time, without any special feast, we were given the opportunity to enter deeply into faith as we celebrated the Mass for the simple reason of celebrating the Mass.

The profundity of this reality may not be immediately apparent, but it’s something that is worth reflecting upon until it makes sense.  Though we should always be drawn to the high feast of the Church year with great joy, we should never discount the opportunity that Ordinary Time offers us.  Ordinary Time offers us an opportunity to embrace the Eucharist, and the Holy Scripture, in a way that is anything but ordinary.  We must see every opportunity we have to participate in the Eucharist, or to ponder the Scripture, as an opportunity to love and adore our Lord simply because He is our Lord.  Jesus is worthy of all praise, worship and adoration at all times.  And when all the excitement of the high feasts is removed, we still are left with the greatest act on Earth. 

This volume of the Catholic Daily Reflection Series is the first of two that covers the thirty-four weeks of Ordinary Time.  Perhaps you will not be able to attend Mass every day throughout the year, but you can enter into the Holy Scriptures throughout the year.  The goal of this volume is to help you enter more deeply into the words of our Lord as they are presented to us in the Gospels every day during Weeks One to Seventeen of Ordinary Time.

The Gospels have unlimited potential to transform our lives because the Gospels are the Word of God.  As the Word of God, the Gospels are more than the written record of Jesus’ words.  They present to us the very Person of Christ.  Thus, as you spend time prayerfully meditating upon the Scripture passages in this book and the reflections that accompany those Scriptures, it is hoped that Jesus will be made present to you in a real and personal way.  It is hoped that you will be daily invited to encounter our Lord in such a way that your life is transformed and made holy.  This can only happen if you encounter our Living Lord Himself.  It is my prayer that the reflections within this book will aid you in this holy endeavor.

1

FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

The Life of Ordinary?

Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen.  Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.  Then they left their nets and followed him.  Mark 1:16-18

Christmas season is now completed and we enter into the First Week of Ordinary Time.  It’s time to return to the ordinary of life.  But is the Christian life ordinary?  Is there anything truly ordinary about following Jesus?

Today’s Gospel reveals the extraordinary and radical call from Jesus to follow Him.  Simon and Andrew are the two who respond to the call in this passage, but their response is also an invitation to all of us to step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary.

This passage especially reveals two things: 1) the immediate response of these Apostles, and 2) their complete response.  They clearly did not hold back or hesitate in responding to the invitation from Jesus to follow Him.

What about you?  Do you hear Jesus calling you?  Do you hear Him speak to you, calling you to come after Him?  Hopefully, as our Lord speaks to each one of us, we will respond immediately and in a complete way.  Hopefully we will not hesitate to embrace the glorious calling we each have been given. 

Reflect, today, upon the fact that you, too, have been called to an extraordinary life of grace which requires total abandonment and commitment.  You have been called to respond immediately and freely to Jesus’ invitation.  As you begin this liturgical season of Ordinary Time, jump into the extraordinary life of grace and embrace it with your whole heart.

Lord, I love You and thank You for the extraordinary life of grace You have called me to live.  Help me to respond to Your invitation with complete submission of my mind and will.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Jesus’ Authority is Clear

Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.  The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.  Mark 1:21-22

As we enter into this First Week of Ordinary Time, we are given the image of Jesus teaching in the synagogue.  And as He teaches, it’s clear that there is something special about Him.  He is one who teaches with a new authority. 

This statement in Mark’s Gospel contrasts Jesus with the scribes who apparently teach without this unmistakable authority.  This statement should not go unnoticed.

Jesus exercised His authority in His teaching not so much because He wanted to, but because He had to.  This is who He is.  He is God and when He speaks He speaks with the authority of God.  He speaks in such a way that people know His words have transforming meaning.  His words effect change in people’s lives. 

This should invite each one of us to reflect upon the authority of Jesus in our lives.  Do you notice His authority spoken to you?  Do you see His words, spoken in Sacred Scripture, having an effect upon your life? 

Reflect, today, upon this image of Jesus teaching in the synagogue.  Know that the synagogue represents your own soul and that Jesus desires to be there speaking to you with authority.  Let His words sink in and change your life.

Lord, I open myself to You and Your voice of authority.  Help me to allow You to speak with clarity and truth.  As You do, help me to be open to allowing You to change my life.  Jesus, I trust in You.

The Purpose of Jesus’ Mission

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.  Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, Everyone is looking for you.  He told them, Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also.  For this purpose have I come.  Mark 1:35-38

Why did Jesus come?  What was the purpose of His life on Earth?  This passage reveals that He came to preach to all people the Good News. 

But do understand that statement properly.  This does not mean that Jesus’ life is only about what He taught.  It’s not as if He were a great man of wisdom who came to share His wisdom with us.  Though that statement is true, it fails to reveal the full truth of Jesus and His mission.

So what was He all about?  He was about preaching Himself as THE Truth that is spoken.  Jesus IS the full revelation of the Father in Heaven and is the revelation of ALL Truth.  Therefore, Jesus’ statement means that He came to share Himself, in His fullness, with all people.  He came to share Himself with those He preached to, literally, as He traveled from village to village.  It means that He continues to share Himself with all of us every time we listen to and receive His Living Word:  The Living Word of His very life.

Reflect, today, upon the fact that Jesus desires to travel to the village of your mind and heart.  He wants to seek you out and bring not only His words of eternal life, but also His very self.  Let yourself be ministered to by Jesus and allow Him to speak to you with clarity and truth. 

Lord, I seek You and am open to letting You seek me.  Help me to be open to all that You wish to reveal to me and help me to receive You as the Living Gospel.  Jesus, I trust in You.

It’s About Conversion, Not Popularity

Thursday of the First Week of Ordinary Time

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere. Mark 1:44-45

The man who went away and began to publicize the whole matter did so understandably.  He had been suffering from the awful disease of leprosy and most likely was losing hope.  He came to Jesus, knelt down humbly before Him and expressed his profound faith.  He said, If you wish, you can make me clean.  Jesus, of course, did wish to make him clean and immediately healed the leper. 

What’s interesting is that, after healing the man, Jesus told him not to tell anyone.  But, in his excitement, the man went off telling everyone.  The result was that Jesus’ fame and reputation exploded and curiosity about Him spread everywhere.  People sought Him out with such interest that, as this passage says above, It was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. 

This story should naturally raise a few questions in our minds.  One interesting fact to ponder is that Jesus appeared to have no interest in being popular.  He could have easily went from town to town and, as He entered a new town, announced, Attention everyone…I am here!  People would have immediately flocked to Him.  But, instead of embracing His instant fame, He went off to deserted places.  People came to Him in these hard-to-get-to deserted places. 

Jesus went off to deserted places waiting for people to seek Him out because His life was all about fostering authentic conversion of souls, not cultural popularity.  He wasn’t interested in the esteem of worldly opinion, He was only interested in changing hearts.  Therefore, by withdrawing into deserted places, He was able to let the Father in Heaven bring to Him those who were open to authentic conversion.

The same is true with us.  The popular Jesus is not always the real Jesus.  In other words, the authentic Gospel message is not normally that which our popular culture will hold up as exciting.  Jesus and His authentic Gospel message will not always make headlines in the national news.  Rather, if we want to find Him, we must diligently seek Him in the hidden and quiet places where He waits for us. 

Reflect, today, upon the image of Jesus waiting for you in the silence.  Where is that silent deserted place in which He waits?  Where is He waiting for you to come and meet Him?  Seek Him out and when you do discover Him, you will be eternally grateful that you made the effort.

Lord, I do seek You, but I also realize that I never seek You enough.  You are there, waiting for me in countless ways.  You are calling me into a deeper silence and solitude.  In the deserted places of life, You desire to minister to my soul.  Help me to listen to You and to make the journey to You.  And as I find You, help me to truly embrace the conversion of heart You have in mind for me.  Jesus, I trust in You.

The Draw of Jesus

Friday of the First Week of Ordinary Time

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home.  Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.  Mark 2:1-2

There were so many people coming to Jesus that there was no room for everyone, not even around the door to the house He was in.  This is an interesting situation.  On a practical note, why wouldn’t Jesus have noticed this dilemma and done something about it?  Why not move out into a larger area where everyone could see and hear Him?

It’s hard to answer that question but there is one thing of which we can be certain.  We can be certain that those who came to listen to Him, even if they could not get in, were greatly rewarded for their faith.  This passage reveals a very important spiritual principle.  It reveals that the spiritual longing to be near Jesus was, in and of itself, transforming.

Often times we will have a similar experience.  We may find that we long to hear Jesus speak to us, but we cannot seem to hear Him.  It may be that He appears silent to us or that we do not know where to find Him.  But do not be disheartened if this is your experience.  The fact of the matter is that your desire to be with Him is itself a great gift and has potential to transform your life. 

Reflect, today, upon what may be termed the silence of God.  There may be times in your life when God seems to be distant and is nowhere to be found.  When this happens, you should realize that this is a way for God to call you even closer to Himself.  It’s a way for God to whisper so as to gain your full attention.  If this is a struggle that you experience at times, turn your attention to our Lord all the more intensely and allow the desire for Him to grow.  It is this desire to be near Jesus that may actually produce much greater fruit in your life than if you were to hear Him loud and clear.

Lord, please increase within me a desire to be near You.  Help me to long for You with all my heart.  In that longing, help me to shed all that is not of You and to give You my full attention.  Jesus, I trust in You.

With Whom Do You Associate?

Saturday of the First Week of Ordinary Time

Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?  Jesus heard this and said to them, Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.  I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.  Mark 2:16-17

Jesus did it, how about you?  Are you willing to be seen with those who are sinners?  What’s interesting to note about this passage from Scripture is that EVERYONE is a sinner.  Therefore, the truth is that everyone Jesus associated with was a sinner.

But this passage and criticism of Jesus was not so much about Him associating with people who had committed sins; rather, it was more about Him associating with those who were looked down upon by the elite of society.  Jesus freely spent time with the undesirables.  He was not afraid to be seen with those who were scorned by others. The scribes and Pharisees were very quick to notice that Jesus and His disciples welcomed these people.  They ate and drank with tax collectors, sexual sinners, thieves and the like.  More than that, they apparently welcomed these people without judgment.

So back to the initial question…Are you willing to be seen with and associate with those who are unpopular, dysfunctional, hurting, confused, and the like?  Are you willing to let your reputation suffer because you love and care for those in need?  Are you even willing to go so far as to befriend someone who will damage your social reputation?

Reflect, today, upon the person in your life that you may feel like shunning.  Why is that?  Who is it that you may not want to be seen with or who you may not readily want to associate with.  It may be the case that this person, more than any other, is the person that Jesus wants you to spend time with.

Lord, You love all people with a deep and perfect love.  You came, especially, for those whose lives were broken and sinful.  Help me to always seek out those who are in need and to love all people with an unwavering and non-judgmental love.  Jesus, I trust in You.

2

SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

The Gift of Spiritual Insight

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’  John 1:29-30

Wow, the insight that St. John the Baptist had regarding Jesus is quite inspiring, mysterious and amazing.  He sees Jesus coming toward him and he immediately states three revealed truths about Jesus: 1) Jesus is the Lamb of God; 2) Jesus ranks ahead of John; 3) Jesus existed before John.

How would John know all of this?  What was the source of such profound statements about Jesus?  Most likely John would have studied the Scriptures of the time and would have known the many statements about the coming Messiah spoken by the prophets of old.  He would have known the Psalms and the Books of Wisdom.  But, first and foremost, John would have known what he knew by the gift of faith.  He would have had true spiritual insight granted by God.

This fact reveals not only the greatness of John and the depth of his faith, it also reveals the ideal we must strive for in life.  We must strive to daily walk by authentic spiritual insight granted by God.

It’s not so much that we must live, day by day, in some sort of an evident and prophetic and mystical state.  It’s not that we should expect to have superior knowledge over others.  But we should be open to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit so as to gain a knowledge and understanding of life that is beyond what mere human reason can acquire by its own effort.

John was clearly filled with Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Knowledge, Fortitude, Reverence and Wonder.  These Gifts of the Spirit gave him an ability to live a life sustained by the grace of God.  John knew things and understood things that only God could reveal.  He loved and revered Jesus with a passion and submission of his will that could only be inspired by God.  Most evidently, John’s holiness came as a consequence of his union with God.

Reflect, today, upon this exceptionally insightful statement from John regarding Jesus.  John knew what he knew only because God was alive in his life leading him and revealing these truths.  Commit yourself, this day, to an imitation of John’s deep faith and be open to all that God wants to speak to you.

My precious Lord Jesus, give me insight and wisdom so that I may know You and believe in You.  Help me, each and every day, to discover more fully the great and awe-inspiring mystery of who You are.  I love You, my Lord, and I pray that I may come to know and love You all the more.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Newness of Life

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas—which is translated Peter.  John 1:42

In this passage, the Apostle Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus after telling Simon that he has found the Messiah.  Jesus immediately receives them both as Apostles and then reveals to Simon that his identity will now be changed.  He will now be called Cephas.  Cephas is an Aramaic word that means Rock.  In English, this name is usually translated as Peter. 

When someone is given a new name, this often means that they are also given a new mission and new vocation in life.  For example, in the Christian tradition, we receive new names at Baptism or Confirmation.  Additionally, when a man or woman becomes a monk or a nun, they often are given a new name to signify the new life they are called to live.

Simon is given the new name of Rock because Jesus intends to make him the foundation of His future Church.  This change in name reveals that Simon must become a new creation in Christ in order to fulfill his high calling.

So it is with each one of us.  No, we may not be called to be the next pope or a bishop, but we are each called to become new creations in Christ and live new lives fulfilling new missions.  And, in a sense, this newness of life must happen each and every day.  We must daily strive to fulfill the mission that Jesus gives us in a new way every day. 

Reflect, today, upon the fact that God invites you to live a new life of grace in Him.  He has some new mission for you to daily fulfill and He promises to give you all you need to live it.  Say Yes to the call He gives you and you will see incredible things happen in your life.

Lord Jesus, I do say Yes to You and to the calling that You have given to me.  I accept the new life of grace that You have prepared for me and I willingly accept Your gracious invitation.  Help me, dear Lord, to daily answer the glorious vocation to the life of grace I have been given.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Words of Wisdom From our Blessed Mother

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

His mother said to the servers, Do whatever he tells you.  John 2:5

This short and direct statement from our Blessed Mother says all we need to know.  Do whatever He tells you.  What else do we need to know in life?

The hard part, of course, is following that advice.  It’s easy to believe it, to preach it and to commit ourselves to doing everything that our Lord says, but it’s another thing to actually follow through and fulfill His divine will.

That short exhortation calls us to two things: 1) To discern what Jesus wants of us and, 2) To freely embrace that which we discern.  How are you doing in these two areas?

First of all, discerning the will of God can be hard in the sense that it requires a wholehearted attentiveness to His gentle and subtle voice.  God does not impose His will on us; rather, He respectfully and quietly invites us to listen.  He waits until we give Him our full attention and then reveals His will one step at a time.  Yes, some things have been made clear already through public revelation such as the avoidance of sin and the embrace of faith, hope and love.  But when we are ready to let those general commands enter practically into our daily lives, we must be ready to give God our full attention.

Second, we should realize that God’s will, when properly discerned, is not always easy to embrace.  He requires everything of us.  He is a jealous God in the sense that He wants our total surrender.  The good news is that if we