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Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, January 13th, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

Invite someone to come with you!

1^st) The assignment from last week was for us to pray about this reflection from last week’s study:

…The meditation asks this question of us: “What can we give to Jesus today and in the year ahead?” The meditation goes on to provide an answer: “Actually, we can offer him something much more valuable than the Magi did—ourselves! He came to earth for us. He lived, died, and rose from the dead for us. The “pearl of great price” that Jesus gave everything for was us! How can we give him anything less than our lives?” What are some ways that you, and the men in your group, can give your lives more deeply to Jesus in 2007?...

Click here for a PDF of this week's study.   Click here for the study in a Word document.

Answering Jesus’ Call to Share Our Faith with Others

Sunday, January 14, 2007
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 96:1-3,7-10
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
John 2:1-11

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest. (Isaiah 62:1)

Jesus once asked, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand?” (Mark 4:21). The obvious answer is, “no.” With Isaiah’s declaration that he will not be silent, let’s ask ourselves the same question.

In the second reading, Paul reminds us that God has given us many gifts, and that these gifts are to be used “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). This gives us some clue as to how we can let our light shine. Every day, we face the question of whether we are going to keep these gifts for ourselves or use them to tell people that Jesus is alive.

Jesus wants all of us to take the lead of the psalmist and sing a new song to him. He doesn’t want us to be silent, shy, or even self-absorbed when it comes to our faith.

Does this sound daunting? Don’t worry. Jesus knows you through and through. He sees your weaknesses, your fears, and your concerns, and yet he calls you “my delight” (Isaiah 62:4). He rejoices over you and showers you with the grace to rise above the limitations of our fallen nature.

Brothers, Jesus is pouring so much into you because he sees the state of the world. Yes, he wants to make you happy; but he also wants to send you into a world of sadness, pain, and division with the good news of his salvation. Jesus is asking each of us, “Will you feed my sheep? Will you be my light? Will you answer my call to evangelize?” Jesus could do it himself—and sometimes he does. But nothing gives him more joy than seeing each of us stand up and say—in both word and deed—“Jesus loves you. Come with me and see what he can do in your life.”

“Lord, give me the strength and courage to be your light to the world. Help me overcome my shyness and lack of confidence in sharing my faith with other men. Lord, I want to answer your call by reaching out to others!”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1.     In the first reading, we read that God “delights” and “rejoices” in his people. God’s joy is compared with the joy of a bridegroom in his bride. St. Augustine said each Christian should be an alleluia, from head to foot. Share with one another some of God’s blessings in your life. Does your life reflect a joy in what God has done for you? What steps can you take individually, or as a group, to increase your joy?

2.     In the Responsorial Psalm, we are encouraged to “announce” God’s salvation and “tell” others of his “glory” and “wondrous deeds.” What opportunities are available in your church, at work, in the community, or at home to bring Jesus Christ to others? Which of these opportunities can you and your group follow up on in the coming weeks?

3.     In the letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the individual spiritual gifts we have each received from God. He goes on to say that: “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Do you know what spiritual gifts God has given you? What practical steps can you take to learn what those gifts are and how to use them?

4.     St. Paul says these spiritual gifts are not just for ourselves. God is asking us to share our “gifts” in order to build up the Church. What can you do, individually, and as a group, to make your “gifts” available to your parish community?

5.     In today’s Gospel, Mary’s great faith in Jesus is summed up in these words to the wine servers: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Our own faith is built up, as God touches us, and speaks to us, through our prayer and scripture reading and through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Share with the men of times when you sensed God was speaking a word to you in your heart. What was the impact on your life? What do you believe God is asking of you now?

6.     In the meditation, we hear these words, “Brothers and sisters, Jesus is pouring so much into you because he sees the state of the world. Yes, he wants to make you happy; but he also wants to send you into a world of sadness, pain, and division with the good news of his salvation.” The meditation goes on to say, “But nothing gives him more joy than seeing each of us stand up and say—in both word and deed—‘Jesus loves you. Come with me and see what he can do in your life.’” How can you, and the men in your group, reach out to men in your church to help them deepen their faith in Jesus Christ?

7.     At the end of your men’s group meeting, pray for one another that the Lord would give you the courage and all the gifts you need to effectively share your faith with other men. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as a starting point.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen