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Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, January 20th, 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.

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The Evidence That Jesus Christ is Lord and Messiah

Sunday, January 21, 2007
Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10
Psalm 19:8-10,15
1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

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Our faith tells us that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah—something that even his own townsfolk could not believe. If they had a hard time accepting Jesus, what about us? Unlike them, our faith has to be based upon what we have not seen or heard. However, while we are not eyewitnesses as the Nazarenes were, we do have some very solid evidence that can help bolster our faith and our hope.

First, Roman soldiers were ordered to guard the tomb of Jesus. The penalty for any guard who might fall asleep while on watch was death. So there was no way that a disciple could tamper with the tomb or remove the body of Jesus.

Second, three days later, Jesus’ tomb was found to be empty—exactly as he predicted. The huge stone that had blocked the tomb was rolled away. The guards, all toughened soldiers, were scared to death. It appears that even they fainted in the presence of the risen Jesus (Matthew 28:4).

Third, many witnesses, including Peter, James, Mary Magdalene, and some five hundred other disciples—many of whom were still alive twenty years after Jesus had died—gave unswerving testimony that they had seen Jesus after he had risen from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

Fourth, according to St. Paul: “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he . . . will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you” (Romans 8:11). In simpler words, people who have invited the Holy Spirit into their lives have come to know the power of God and the presence of the risen Christ through personal experience.

It must be true! Jesus has risen from the dead! Jesus predicted it. From age to age, people have testified to it. And even today, both believers and the Holy Spirit himself continue to testify to it. So place your hope in Jesus. He will not fail you. Make the decision today to give your life to him, and watch him prove himself to you all over again.

“Jesus, you are my Lord. I give my life to you. I consecrate myself and all my family to your Sacred Heart, which is so full of love for us.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. In the first reading, we hear how the word of God so touched the hearts and moved those who “listened attentively.” What is the attitude of your heart when the scriptures are read? How do you listen when the word of God is read at Mass? In what ways do you hear God speaking to you through the Scriptures and are moved by them?
2. The responsorial psalm also speaks of the effect the word of God has on those who “listen”: i.e., life, refreshment, wisdom, joy, enlightenment, etc. How often during the week do you turn to the Scriptures for your strength? Can you share something of what God has brought about in your life through your commitment to regularly reading his word? If you don’t already do it, are you willing to commit to a daily time of Scripture reading? It could be something as simple as reading and meditating on the daily Mass readings.
3. In the second reading, St. Paul continues the theme he began in last Sunday’s reading: we are all members of one body, and each of us has an important part to play in building the Church. He tells us that there should be no division in the body. What steps can you take to heal any divisions that may exist in your family or your parish? What steps can you take to bring more unity to your family or parish?
4. St. Paul also says that we must be concerned for one another….that when one of us suffers, all of us suffer. What are the opportunities in your parish or community that you, or the men in your group, can respond to in order to reach out to those who are suffering or have great needs?
5. In the Gospel, Christ tells us that he brings us “glad tidings”, “liberty”, “recovery of sight”, and freedom. Pope John Paul II said, “Sometimes even Catholics have lost or never had a chance to experience Christ personally”. What specifically can you do this week to get to know Christ better, not “as a mere paradigm or value” (John Paul II), but as your living Lord, as your way, your truth, your life? Also, take some time to pray and consecrate your life and the members of your family to Jesus Christ, asking that each would “experience Christ personally.”
6. In the meditation, we hear these words, “So place your hope in Jesus. He will not fail you. Make the decision today to give your life to him, and watch him prove himself to you all over again.” Using the prayer at the end of the meditation as a starting point, take some time to make a deeper commitment of your life to Jesus Christ.

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