Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the
works of the Devil. No one who is begotten by God commits sin, because
God’s seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is begotten by God. 1 John 3:8B-9
The two disciples heard what he said and followed
Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them
following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated
means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” John 1:37-39
Piety
“Catholicism does not call
us to abandon the world but to help shape it. This does not mean leaving
worldly tasks and responsibilities but transforming them…Social justice and the
common good are built up or town down day by day in the countless decisions and
choices we make.” US Bishops, Everyday Christianity
Study
In one sense, all the stories
in the four Gospels are stories about close moments with Jesus. Close moments among friends. Close moments among strangers. News reports of Jesus preaching and teaching
to crowds large and small. Every day in
which we are aware of such encounters is really another Little Christmas Day because
through these encounters, Jesus is reveled and born again in each of us.
Tomorrow is the Feast of the
Epiphany. But every day can be an epiphany. It is a holy day to celebrate the
way the Savior was made manifest among the Gentiles with the coming of the magi
to visit Baby Jesus. The church does not
spring any holy day on us without a period of preparation…most notably Lent
prepares for Easter and Advent prepares for Christmas.
However, this whole season
has been one of little encounters that prepare us for the Big Encounter. The Annunciation. The Visitation. The Nativity.
Angels coming down from on high.
Shepherds coming in from their fields.
Today, we see Jesus
passing by John’s ministry at the Jordan River.
This is something he did not once but twice in recent scriptures. The two disciples were drawn by a sign and
encountered Jesus…an encounter which changed them remarkably. In essence, they had an epiphany --- a close
moment with Christ – moments that Cursillo trains us to be ready for and aware
of.
Action
January is Poverty
Awareness Month sponsored by the USCCB.
Through tools provided by the Campaign for Human Development, we have a
chance to be aware of and ready for the challenge of responding to the needs of
the poor.
More than 46 million
Americans live in Poverty USA. Americans families were having a difficult time making
ends meet before the recession began in 2008-2009. With continuing unemployment, income
inequality and the increasing costs of living, more and more families have to
choose between necessities like health care, child care, and even food.
How can you help? There are lots of ways to
take action. You can spread the word about poverty in the United States,
advocate for change, find and support organizations in your community, give
time or resources or contact local representatives.
Join the USCCB Action Network.
Sign up to get updates on important issues like the Farm Bill or the
Federal Budget and how these impact people living in poverty along with
opportunities to advocate.
Where are the poor
staying? How are they living? Where are they working? Where do they lay their head at night? Come
to Poverty Awareness Month ready for a close moment and you will see.
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