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Catholic Charities USA



Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day 
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Today, we mark our entry into Ordinary Time. Gone are the Christmas
decorations and white vestments, replaced now by the liturgical color
of green.  And we begin our journey through the Gospel of
Mark.  Where else does it make sense to begin but with a
call?  The Gospel today tells of the first disciples.  John
the Baptist introduces two of his followers to Jesus.  One of
those followers, Andrew, introduces his brother Simon to Jesus. 
As the gospel tells us, Simon becomes Simon Peter, the rock on which
the church is built.

In both of these calls, there is a pattern of an introduction, a
following, and a building of a relationship with Jesus.  There is
recognition of Jesus' identity as "the Lamb of God'
(the sacrificial offering of himself), "Rabbi" (the
Teacher) and "Messiah" (Christ, the Anointed).  And,
there is going out and inviting others to join in, restarting the
cycle.  It truly is spreading the good news. 

This call to follow Jesus and invite others to join in is not
something just for those first followers, but rather it is for us each
and every day as well.  Who is it in our ministry, in our work,
that is inviting us to follow Jesus?  Who is it that we are
calling to that very same invitation?  We should take time and
reflect on the relationship that we have with Jesus.  How do we
see Him?  Is he one of the titles we see in this Gospel passage,
or is there another title that speaks to us?  As disciples in
spreading the good news, how do we portray Jesus to others?

This season of Ordinary Time is really anything but ordinary.  It
is a chance for each of us to reflect on our relationship with Jesus.
It is also a chance to discern how we go about inviting others into
his great love, that unconditional love he shows for each one of us
and which we are called to offer to our brothers and sisters in
God's family.

Deacon Paul Kipfstuhl is the Director of the Social Action Office
- Wayne, Ashland and Medina Counties for Catholic Charities,
Diocese of Cleveland.  He is Permanent Deacon for the Cleveland
Diocese, assigned to St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina, Ohio.

 



Catholic Charities USA

2050 Ballenger Avenue
Suite 400
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703-549-1390

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