Tuesday, January 22, 2008 is the 35th anniversary of the Roe v Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion.
Why not consider participating in a Right to Life March or
learn more about Project Rachel, the Catholic response to Roe v Wade?

During Advent we were reviewing our greatest prayer, the Mass. Now that we are settling back into Ordinary Time we'll resume our study. We last looked at the Gospel, so now we'll move onto the final section of the Liturgy of the Word, the homily, profession of faith, and intercessions. (Learn more)

We've been discussing how being Catholic leads us down the path to happiness. This week we'll be discussing sin, especially the seven deadly sins. Next week we'll figure out what to do about them to make everyone around us happier. See if your family knows and understands the deadly sins.

• Greed

• Envy

• Pride

• Gluttony

• Sloth

• Anger

• Lust

Our family's favorite book for studying both sin and virtue is Seven Lonely Places, Seven Warm Places: The Vices and Virtues for Children.
It has helped children and adults alike!
 

• Use your green candle Sunday and Wednesday to celebrate  Ordinary Time.
   

• Monday, January 21 use a red candle for the memorial of St. Agnes, the 13 year-old virgin and martyr who is still commemorated in our First Eucharistic prayer. She was beheaded around 304 A.D.
   
• Tuesday, January 22 use a violet candle for the day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person through acts of abortion. This year is the 35th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision which legalized abortion. The U.S. Catholic bishops have prepared prayers and petitions for our reflection.
   
• Thursday, January 24 use a white candle to commemorate the memorial of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of writers. St. Francis lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, when the Protestant Reformation was in full bloom. His writings promoted meekness and humility, and encouraged his readers to live devout, spiritual lives.
   
• Friday, January 25 use a white candle to celebrate the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul We've heard it said that if it were not for St. Paul, Jesus' message may not have been spread. Paul (originally called Saul) was a persecutor of Christians; while on the road to Damascus he was blinded by a light, and heard the voice of Jesus tell him to stop his persecuting. At first the followers of Christ were suspicious of Paul, but they eventually realized that his transformation was sincere. The rest is history. It is also our son's birthday, so we have even more to celebrate!
   
• Saturday, January 26 use a white candle for the memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, disciples of Paul and bishops of the early Church. His letters to them, instructing them how to be shepherds to their flock, are included in the New Testament. Timothy is the patron saint of stomach disorders. Paul wrote to him, "Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illness." (1 Timothy 5:23)

A solemnity is a day of greatest importance. The celebration starts the evening before the actual solemnity. Easter is our most important solemnity. A feast is the next most important day. It commemorates Mary, the apostles, martyrs and other saints, and the events associated with them. Mass readings often reflect the special feast day. A memorial is a special day, but often an optional celebration. The scripture readings for Mass may or may not be specially selected for the memorial.
 

Get Ready to Pray Constantly!
Learn the Liturgy of the Hours with us!

Our family has never prayed the Liturgy of the Hours together, but we hope to start during Lent. First we have to learn how to do it, though! We already have the text and the 2008 guide. This week we are learning the background of this devotion. We are also learning the Canticle of Zechariah, an integral part of the morning prayer.

Daily prayers for the Liturgy of the Hours are found in these sources:
 Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours
 Saint Joseph Guide for the Liturgy of the Hours (St. Joseph Liturgy Guides)

Do you know Him when you see Him?

This week's first reading is the second of four Servant Songs of Isaiah (last week we heard the first Servant Song when we celebrated the Baptism of our Lord). This second song tells us of the call of the Messiah - He is to be a light to all nations so salvation can reach all the ends of the earth.

The second reading from Paul's letter to the Corinthians. It is the standard greeting Paul uses in each of his letters, but it makes an important point. Both Paul and the Church have been called to specific missions. Paul was called to spread the Good News; the Corinthians, along with the rest of us, have been called to live holy lives and be witnesses to Christ.

We should know this is a special week - the Gospel is from the book of John, not Matthew. Our liturgical cycle is set up so we hear most of Matthew in year A, Mark in year B, and Luke in year C. The Gospel of John is read only during special times, like the seasons of Lent and Easter. So why is the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time so special? Because John the Baptist realized he saw the Messiah, the Son of God. And it was his own cousin!

Have you ever wondered if you will recognize God when he returns to earth? Those who seemed the most faithful failed to recognize Him last time. John the Baptist and the rest of Jesus' family did not recognize Him for years. Finally, thanks to a sign from God and true faith and commitment to his mission, John understood.

Each and every one are called to recognize Jesus in every person we meet and when He returns at the Second Coming. That may seem like a tall order in our modern world, but it is possible. Like John, Paul, Isaiah, and Jesus Himself, we need true faith and commitment. We must be willing to recognize our own weaknesses and strive, with prayer and reconciliation, to overcome them. We must live holy lives. We must be willing, every moment, every day, to consciously decide to do good, avoid evil, and serve Him.  It is our call to salvation.
 

Lectionary readings for the 2nd Week of Ordinary Time: