21 January 2018
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
1st: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm: 24: 4-9
2nd: 1Corinthians 7:29-31
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’
As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen.
And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him.
Repentance
To all sins committed whether by flesh or spirit, whether by deed or will, the same God who has destined penalty by means of judgement, has also engaged to grant pardon by means of repentance, saying to the people, ‘Repent you, and I will save you;’ and again, ‘I live, says the Lord, and I want repentance rather than death.’ Repentance, then, is life, since God prefers it to death. Toward repentance, O sinner, (like myself, although pre-eminence in sins is mine), do you so hasten to and embrace, as a shipwrecked man to the protection of some plank. This will draw you forth when sunk in the waves of sins, and will bear you forward into the port of the divine clemency. Seize the opportunity of unexpected felicity: that you, who sometime were in God’s sight nothing but a drop of a bucket, and dust of the threshing-floor, and a potter’s vessel, may thenceforward become that tree which is sown beside the waters, perennial in leaves, bearing fruit in its own time, which shall not see fire, nor axe. Having found the truth, repent of errors; repent of having loved what God loves not: even we ourselves do not permit our servants not to hate the things which are offensive to us; for the principle of voluntary obedience consists in similarity of minds.
Tertullian, On Repentance, Ch. 4
Feasts of the Week
Mon 22 St. Vincent, Deacon, Martyr
Wed 24 St. Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor
Thu 25 The Conversion of St. Paul
Fri 26 Ss. Timothy and Titus, Bishops
Sat 27 Memorial of the BVM, also St. Angela Merici, Virgin
Psalter Week III
Readings for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
1st: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm: 94: 1-2, 6-9
2nd: 1Corinthians 7:32-35
Gospel: Mark 1: 21-28
Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr
St. Vincent was born at Saragossa, Spain, in the third century; at a young age, he made great progress in his studies under the direction of Bishop Valerius, was ordained deacon and put in charge of preaching in the diocese due to the bishop’s speech impediment. When persecution broke out, both Vincent and Valerius were dragged in chains to Valencia and imprisoned, then Valerius was banished and Vincent, tortured.
To tempt the Deacon, he was taken from a cell strewn with potsherds onto a soft and luxurious bed, but there he expired, it was the year 304. His body was then thrown to the vultures, but a raven protected it, then it was thrown into the sea tied to a millstone, but it came to shore, and it was finally buried by a pious widow outside the walls of Valencia where a chapel was built later. Lisbon, Castres, Cremona and Bari, are among the places who claim to have relics of the Deacon Martyr Vincent, and since the fifth century, many Churches have been built in his honour… St. Vincent, pray for us
Prayer for Christian Unity
By your heavenly grace, O God,
restore us in mind and body,
create in us a clean heart and a pure mind that we may give glory to your Name. May the churches attain unity of purpose
for the sanctification of your people, through Jesus Christ
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn
The right hand of God
is healing in our land,
healing broken bodies,
minds and souls;
so wondrous is its touch,
with love that means so much,
when we’re healed
by the right hand of God.
Taken from the Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Join us in the Week of prayer for Christian Unity from Thurs 18 Jan to Thurs 25 Jan. See prayer above or simply google, ‘Resources for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.’
We now have two re-cycling bins in the basement car park at the Hospice. All recyclables are taken (Please DO NOT bring them to the Coffee Shop). Each time it is filled we help the Hospice and the planet.
We Need Volunteers at the Parish Hall to help with bar stocktaking and/or with the disabled equipment storage. Contact Fr. Jim 9979 3169
CARITAS is looking for people to join the Caritas Committee. Please contact Wendy at 9904 0294. We also need duvets and gas heaters. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Mass Times HERE