Dear Friends,

We continue this week in [Extra] Ordinary Time to be challenged by our brother Jesus to, as always, be our best selves. He asks us “to be willing,” to basically show up and do our part! This kind of challenge is never convenient, often not fun, but the “good stuff” of being Jesus’ followers. Peace and love to you all–stay safe and well–Pastor Kathy

P.S. Please call or email should you wish to chat or if I can be of any help to you–507-429-3616, aaorcc2008@gmail.com.

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Entrance Antiphon

Loving God, be my rock of safety, the stronghold that saves me. For the honor of Your name, lead me and guide me.

Let Us Pray

Opening Prayer

Creator God of heaven and earth, the loving plan of your wisdom took flesh in Jesus, the Christ and changed humankind’s history by your perfect act of love. May we fulfill in our lives your loving outreach to our world—we ask this in Jesus’ name, along with you our Creator and the Spirit who all live and love us forever and ever, Amen.

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Readings:

• Leviticus 13: 1-2, 44-46
• 1 Corinthians 10: 31–11: 1
• Mark 1: 40-45

Homily

   My friends, in today’s gospel from Mark, we hear Jesus’ compassionate words as the Scripture passage says, “He was moved with pity.” A leper comes to him and says, “If you are willing—you can heal me.” And Jesus’ response comes to us, “as the light in the darkness” that each of us so needs in these times fraught with a pandemic, economic instability, systemic racism, unaddressed clericalism within our beloved Church and so much more. I might add, many live, in hope, that at least 17 individuals in Washington might be “willing’’ to do the right thing for our democracy this week.

   Jesus responds as we expect that he would: [Yes,] “I am willing!”  It’s a simple, yet compelling statement. 

   A bit of cultural, back story is important to truly know just how “compelling” Jesus’ statement is.  The time in which he lived had the cultural practice of shunning people with illness that they couldn’t explain—any skin inflammation or sore was considered to be “leprous” and people were literally afraid for their lives of such things that they didn’t understand.  The result then was to send such afflicted people out of the community in which they lived.

   Now it is bad enough to do this when a person is vulnerable and most in need; but the added piece was the “community” was everything to the Israelite people and to be put outside of that community was a death sentence for them.  This was so because no one cared for their physical needs and this, as a result affected them not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.  Additionally, people connected physical illness with sin—a double bind that most people of the time wanted nothing to do with!

   Because of fear, the community responded in less than a human way and thus, Jesus’ reaction to the social outcast who dared to present to him is so much more compelling! “I am willing!” 

   There has been much in this past year of pandemic that has called each of us to, in effect say, “Yes, I am willing!”  And in those things where I have asked your assistance to serve those less fortunate; I am truly grateful for those of you who have stepped up and said, “I am willing!” I will share just a short list here:

• February Home-Delivered Meals—to all who have and still are participating, with special mention to Michael Maher for once again organizing this outreach.
• For those helping a young family with some meal assistance during a hard time for them.
• For those continuing to make meals for the Catholic Worker.
• For the continued generous financial giving of so many of you so that we can reach out in significant ways in our city, nation, and world.

   While the above wonderful actions are about physical ways that people within our community have said, in effect, “Yes, I am willing,” our brother, Jesus, continues to call each of us “to be willing” to make those significant changes in our lives that sometimes call us to go deeper and even sometimes, to stand alone. 

   I am speaking of changing our hearts and minds—perhaps our ways of thinking, to see, “a bigger picture,” to include a stranger, to listen to the story of someone whom, on the surface, we may not even like, or fear. 

Fear is a powerful emotion that might cause us to be less than human, less than Christian—to do things within a group that we might not do alone. 

   This past week, the House Managers of our United States Congress made a compelling case for why Donald Trump should be convicted of high crimes and misdemeanors, calling senators, some of whom are far from saying, “I am willing” to make this personal—for themselves, for their families, for our country—not just another political exercise.  It has been said, “the greatest way for evil to triumph is that good [people] remain silent.”

   There is much in our beloved country that needs fixing—from those who would tear our democracy asunder as on January 6^th, people whom I believe live and act in our world out of a great deal of fear, to meeting the needs of all our people, those abused because they were born with beautiful black and brown skins, as women, as people who love differently than what some consider, “normal,” and the list can go on. 

   I am part of a new group in the Winona Community who is trying to assist those coming to our southern borders seeking asylum from countries where they have been abused and fear for their lives.  Pastor Dick Dahl joins me in this group.  Our Steering Committee of perhaps 8-10 people spent some time “dreaming” in a recent call about where we would like to see this mission in say, 2,3,5 years.  This is the real “heart work” that our humanity and our spirituality—our very faith demands of us—that our brother Jesus is calling us to today in the story of the leper who “assuring” Jesus that, he can help, “if he is willing.”

   After our Steering Committee Meeting this week, I spent some one-on-one time with a member as we talked about what is truly needed from us as members of faith groups when we try to meet the needs of those seeking asylum.  Basically, we agreed that our faith challenges us to make the hard decisions, even if we must stand alone.  Part of our joint “dreaming” was to recall the words of Teilhard de Chardin, “Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides, and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, [humans] will have discovered fire.”

   My friends, Paul tells us this week through the Corinthians, that, “whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.  To me, that says, because our God lives and breathes and acts through each of us, we show our glory and become all that we were meant to be. 

   The reading from Leviticus gives the Old Testament rendition of what the people in Jesus’ time were still living with—the notion that one of us, any of us would ever be considered, “unclean” and must be shunned.  Moses lived some 1300 years before our brother, Jesus, and in his time, he shows us the way—[Yes] “I am willing” to say that is wrong and to help you.  We, as Jesus followers must do the same, my friends—we must in our times, be willing too to right the wrongs!  Amen? Amen!

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Prayers of the Faithful

Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

1. Jesus, our Brother, as we reflect on making choices that affect ourselves and others in wholesome ways, give us the strength to move ahead and be true disciples in action, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

• O God, be with all world leaders—in our country and throughout the world—instill within each the wisdom of your Spirit to lead their people well. Help all to find the ways to peace, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

• Loving God, give each of us health of body, mind, and spirit–especially those with COVID, but with all other illnesses too, struggling today, many times beyond what they feel capable of bearing—give each one your strength and wonderful gift of peace, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

• Loving Jesus, help those looking for work to find what they need, be with those offering work, help each to move in justice to offer a living wage, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

• O God, help us always to strive to be people of peace, not war—help us to remember that Jesus has glorified our humanity by his presence in it, help us to treat people and our world accordingly, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

• Loving God, be with each of us today giving us what we most need in life, to be your loving servants, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

• For our community, All Are One, continue to give us welcoming hearts to be open to all who come to us, help us to discern the new ways you may wish to lead our community, we pray— Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

• Loving Jesus, be with all families who have lost loved ones this week, from COVID and all other causes—give them your peace and help them to find their way through their grief, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

***Let us pray for the silent petitions on our hearts—pause, then response

Let Us Pray

Loving God, be our strength, give us your wisdom; show us the way to make the choices for life and goodness in our world. Let our fear dissipate as we consider what needs to be done as your disciples.  Give us your heart to love our world and your people. Let us never be afraid to speak or act for the truth especially when people suffer for lack of the truth. Help us to be able to walk a bit in others’ shoes especially those we find hard to love—give us your understanding and your mercy always.  Surround our lives with your care. Bless us, keep us, and hold us in your love—we ask all this of you, Loving Creator, Savior, Spirit—one God, living within us and loving us forever and ever, Amen.

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Let Us Pray—Again, we can’t be together physically at the table to share Jesus in a physical way—but remember that Jesus is ALWAYS with us!

Prayer of Communion

Jesus, holy One, you give us food from heaven. May we always hunger for the bread of life. Grant this in your loving name—Amen.

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Dear Friends, today’s readings call us to consider our faith, what it means perhaps and how much it is a part of our days as followers of our brother Jesus. There is much more to be hopeful about it seems in 2021 than there was in 2020 and I think many of you would agree. There is a new tone in Washington–less negative with a willingness to work together “putting forth a bud”–hope springs eternal within me! I wish each of you peace and love–do stay safe and well as we move ever forward! As I said in the bulletin, if you need any help from me or just a listening heart, before I get to you, don’t ever hesitate to call, 507-429-3616 or email, aaorcc2008@gmail.com.–Pastor Kathy

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Entrance Antiphon

Come, let us praise our God.  Let us bow down in the presence of our maker, for God is above all.

Let Us Pray

Opening Prayer

In faith and love we ask you, loving God to watch over your family.  In your mercy and loving kindness no thought of ours is left unguarded, no tear unheeded, no joy unnoticed.  Through the prayer of Jesus may the blessings promised to the poor in spirit lead us to the treasures of your heavenly kindom.  We ask this in Jesus’ wonderful name and with the Spirit, one God, who lives and loves us forever and ever, Amen.

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Readings:

• Job 7: 1-4, 6-7
• 1 Corinthians 9: 16-19, 22-23
• Mark 1: 29-39

Homily

My friends, as I was writing this on Thursday, here in Winona, Minnesota, it was snowing—just as predicted, and I always marvel that weather people are quite accurate in predicting weather patterns, even a couple of weeks out—but at the same time, it’s what they do—right? And they should be good at it!  We might say the same for ourselves as followers of our brother Jesus—as Christians.  Let me explain. 

   Most of us as adult Christians—our particular brand being, “Catholic” knows the tenets of our faith—those things that make us who we are:  one, holy, catholic and apostolic.  We all learned that these four define us as the one, true Church of Christ—that we are to be holy, that everyone is welcome and that all the teachings we believe in come from the apostles and to this day are reinforced by their successors, the bishops, with the Spirit’s help.  Now, that all sounds neat and clean, but whether it is true in practice is quite another thing. We will leave that for now.

   Today’s readings for this 5^th Sunday in [Extra] Ordinary Time suggest that faith is very important and that our faith should help us to stand firm in the face of all that comes our way in the course of our lives.  There are times when we don’t understand why life takes a certain turn—why suffering happens and as we look back on such times, realize that it is only our faith that got us through, believing that God does want good for us and not bad. 

   We see this in the 1^st reading today from Job.  He is basically a good man, actually, a very good man, yet we know, “the rest of the story,” that is not shared in this selection.  We know that Job loses his wife and children, all his animals—everything really of value to him.  And on top of all that, suffers a terrible skin affliction.  What are we to make of that?

   Job we know remains faithful to God, does not blame God for what has happened, even though his friends say that he should.  The reading today shows Job’s humanity—the discouragement that we humans feel at times for why unjust things happen.  Job, it seems, “discusses” all this with God trying to come to terms with what has happened—in fact, leaning on God, a source of strength he senses, beyond his own ability to cope. 

   We see Paul’s humanity coming through as well in today’s selection from 1^st Corinthians.  He seems somewhat down in this reading, saying that he basically can’t do anything but, “preach the Gospel”—and he wants to, even though it’s hard.  He tells us that he, “becomes” whatever is needed to share the Good News of Jesus—if that means—becoming poor, someone who is abused—so be it.  What is most important to Paul is that all and any people that he can get to, would know and understand and come to believe in Jesus, the Christ.

   We can hardly read this and not ask ourselves if we are anywhere close to this in our own personal faith.  I know from myself; I am not prone to “preaching” with words, but more so, with actions, or as St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach at all times, if necessary, use words.”  I don’t of course do this perfectly, but believe actions, more than words, are most important.  I believe that Paul probably did both.  He was compelled by his faith to do so. 

   With Paul, as with Jesus in today’s gospel; we see an urgency—really, to touch as many people as possible.  After a time of prayer alone and his return to his apostles; Jesus is told that the people he cured the night before are asking for him; but Jesus feels the need to move on—to share with more people.  Again, is our faith—our constancy in “preaching” the word, however we may do that, as strong, moving us with such urgency? 

   We should not miss the genuine concern that our brother Jesus demonstrates in caring for Simon’s mother-in-law.  We read in Mark, “Jesus went over to her.”  This simple comment stood out for me in light of reading Mary Trump’s book this past week about her uncle, Donald.  She relates a time early in his presidency when the whole family was invited to the White House to celebrate his two sisters’ birthdays.  Rather than Donald meeting them all at the door with a hearty welcome, the family was led to the Oval Office where the president was sitting and remained so while they all stood. 

   My friends, we might put all the readings for this 5^th Sunday in [Extra] Ordinary Time together under the title of, “Faith and What it Calls Us to Do.” We could look at the issue of suffering displayed in the readings from Job and Paul and blame God, asking why, if you say you love us, do you let such things happen, especially to those who are doing a good job, “preaching” the word? 

   As many theologians have instructed over the years, a god who would cause people to suffer, is not a god that one should believe in.  Anyone who has ever been serious about having a meaningful relationship with God has come to believe at least two things: 

1. God doesn’t cause bad things to happen to us, but God is most assuredly there with us to work through whatever life brings. 
2. Suffering, as well as joy-filled happiness is part of each person’s life and each is an opportunity to grow, to become more of who we are meant to be.  This is precisely where faith comes in .

   And granted, in happy times; we are much more able to stand in faith, believing that ultimately there is a God who wants good for us and not bad, but suffering seems a part of each person’s life–what we do with it is something we get to choose and our faith tells us that whatever we choose, our brother Jesus will be with us. Therefore my friends, it would seem that our lives as Jesus’ followers call us to be more than we would be if left to our own defenses—I think we call that grace. 

   I would like to now return to a thought I left hanging earlier.  We as Catholics live by four tenets—mainly that we are people in community who claim to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic.  Simply put, we are a people united—striving to be holy, simply put, good, caring and just people, true to the teachings of Jesus and following the ways of the apostles guided in our day and through time by our bishops and other leaders. 

   From time to time, it is good to look at all the above to see how we are doing.  I think the tendency in our leaders as well as within ourselves is always to be less, rather than more of whom we can be and perhaps that is part of the suffering we experience in our human lives.

   The first tenet of our faith is, “oneness”—we are for each other or should be—not just “preach” with words, but with actions. Our country is finally beginning to look at the systemic racism that has plagued us for longer than we have been a country. If in fact we could deal with this issue truthfully and with a will to change, would we not then, be truly, holy?

  The next tenet, “apostolic,” meaning, coming from the apostles and reinforced through time, by bishops—primarily, but others too, guided by the Spirit is one, in my mind that is often missing the guidance of the Spirit. A Church guided by the Spirit would instinctively know that proclaiming to care for life in the womb, but deny that same life throughout its human existence is wrong.  A Church guided by Jesus’ Spirit would instinctively know that all must be welcomed to our communion tables and that all calls to priesthood must be considered, be they female or male.  A Church that claims to be “one” would recognize all as equal, be they black or white, red or yellow, whether gay or straight or both. A Church that is “apostolic” living Jesus” message as articulated  by his first apostles, women and men of faith, led by the Spirit would speak vehemently against the selfish notion of  “America First.”

   My friends, our lives as Jesus’ followers will always, always call us to be more, to be bigger, grander, and more noble than our smallest, “good-enough” images of ourselves.  We see this in Pope Francis, in Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and we must strive for this goodness in ourselves.  We must be good listeners of each other’s stories and take them to our times of prayer as did Jesus, so that through our collective sufferings and joys, we can be that more which our world so desperately needs and then our “preaching” will be about action, not just words! Amen? Amen!

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Prayers of the Faithful

Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer.”

1. O God, as we see Jesus reaching out to all, making everyone welcome, help us to see opportunities in our everyday lives to do the same, we pray—Response: “Jesus our brother, hear our prayer.”

• Loving God, surround your people throughout our world who most need you, helping them to find their way toward whatever is most needed in their lives, aided by a concerned world—help each of us to do what we can to support the poor and suffering wherever they might be, we pray—Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer.”

3.  Loving God, give each of us health of body, mind and spirit–especially those struggling with life—threatening illnesses—COVID and all others—give each one your strength and wonderful gift of peace, we pray—Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer.”

• O God, help us to be true followers of Jesus, willing to speak truth to power to help alleviate the struggles of those abused in this world and in our Church, we pray—Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer.”

• O God, help us to strive to be people of peace, not war—help us to remember that Jesus has glorified our humanity by his presence in it and help us to treat people and our world accordingly,  we pray—     Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer.”

• For our community, All Are One, give us welcoming hearts to be open to all who come to us, and inspire us in new ways to reach out this year to those most in need of our ministry, we pray—Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer.”

 7.  Loving Jesus, be with all families who have lost loved ones this week, from COVID and all other causes—give them your peace, be with those our friends and relatives who are newly bereaved to find their way through their grief, we pray—Response:  “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer.”

***Let us pray for the silent petitions on our hearts—pause, then response

Let Us Pray

Gentle God, you who loves us beyond all imagining—be close to us each and every day, shadow us under your wings and be the strength that we need to live as you did, conscious of being inclusive of all, loving others when it is easy and when it is not so easy. Give us the strength and courage to live out our mission, given by you for the people of God. Give us your deep and abiding peace that we would not worry, but trust and believe that you will always be with us. All of this we ask of you who are God, in the Creator, Savior and Spirit, living and loving us forever and ever—Amen!

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Let Us Pray—Again, we can’t be together physically, nor receive the Bread of the Table—but let us always remember that Jesus is with us!  Always!

Prayer of Communion

Loving God, we ask that you would help us to bring your salvation and joy to all people in our world.  We ask that we might do this well through Jesus, our Brother and Friend, who lives and loves us forever and ever, Amen.

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Dear Friends,

We continue on this week in the Ordinary Time of our Church Year that I have called [Extra] due to the on-going challenge that this time of year always calls forth from those who consider themselves serious Christians–that is, following in Jesus’ footsteps–not always the most “chosen” path to follow, even among those who call themselves, “Christian.” This week we are blessed with a homily from Pastor Dick Dahl–thanks Dick! We are encouraged to think about “who” are “prophets” in our midst, even among those who we might not consider…

Please stay well friends and be in touch if I can help you in any way, by email, aaorcc2008@gmail.com or by phone, 507-429-3616.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

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Entrance Antiphon

Be with us O God—keep us safe and gather us together from among the nations, that together, we may proclaim your holy name and always give you praise.

Let Us Pray

Opening Prayer

Loving God, help us to love you with all our hearts and to love all people as you love them.  Bless all of us with the gift of your kin-dom. May we serve you with our every desire.  We ask this of you, in Jesus’ name and with the Spirit, One God, living and loving us, forever and ever, Amen.

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Readings:

• Deuteronomy 18: 15-20
• 1 Corinthians 7: 32-34, 35
• Mark 1: 21-28

Homily from Pastor Dick Dahl

Friends, I will begin today by sharing the thoughts of various biblical commentators on today’s readings after which I will pose some questions for us to think about and answer for ourselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit poured in our hearts, by our Mother/Father God through Jesus.

First Reading
Deuteronomy 18:15-20

One theme in today’s readings is authority. In this first reading Moses tells the Israelites that the Lord will raise up a prophet, and the Lord says, “I will put my words in his mouth.” 

The challenge is how to recognize one who speaks with such authority? Tracing the line of authority was very important in Jewish biblical culture–for example, who did this rabbi study under and by whom was he trained? In our culture we have often connected authority with the source of one’s education (Harvard, Winona State) or their title or role in life–professor, priest, doctor, teacher, policeman, or parent.

Pope Francis said the following about prophets: Being prophets may sometimes imply making waves. I do not know how to put it. … Prophecy makes noise, uproar, some say “a mess.” But in reality…prophecy announces the spirit of the Gospel.  “A Big Heart Open to God” America Magazine, Sept. 30, 2013)    John Lewis called it “making good trouble.” 

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 7:32-35

A Thimbleful of Love

The reading from Corinthians will probably infuriate its share of people. To top it off, Paul says it’s for our own good. (However) there is ample evidence that celibacy and virginity guarantee neither single-minded service nor whole-hearted devotion to the Lord. Also who can doubt that among married people are numbered some of the holiest people we know? And, among priests and religious, who has not found people capable of prodigious mediocrity? Or worse.

Certainly an unmarried person devoted to God will have more time for service of others, especially on an emergency basis, and also have more time for quiet and isolated prayer. All mothers and fathers I have ever known, immersed in the demands of labor and family, have in some way sighed for the time to do such things.

But the crucially operative word is “devoted to God.” If that is not there, all the “worry-less” free time in the world will not yield a thimbleful of love. And as Paul has written elsewhere, with “devotedness to God” even the most ordinary experiences of parenting, family, and spousal love can be astounding revelations of God’s grace and intimacy in our lives. John Kavanaugh, SJ

Gospel
Mark 1:21-28

Teaching With Authority

Mark viewed the fact that Jesus acted with authority so important that the dramatic healing of the demoniac in the Caperrnaum synagogue is the first action that he narrates after the calling of the first disciples. Each evangelist chooses a different deed of Jesus with which to begin the story of his public life—Matthew begins with the Sermon on the Mount, Luke with the reading of Isaiah in Nazareth, but Mark chose this scene at Capernaum in which the people are struck by the way Jesus taught as one having authority followed by his deliverance of a man possessed by an unclean spirit. 

And his presentation of the event is nearly as startling and puzzling as the original experience must have been for those present that evening in the synagogue. A word of command is followed by convulsion and a scream, resulting in complete liberation.  

Curiously, the crowd murmurs, “What is this? A new teaching with authority!” They have just witnessed a powerful example of therapy, and they call it pedagogy. What’s more, though they refer to teaching, the account has mentioned not a word of Jesus’ teaching.

This powerful episode puts in bold relief the truth that the gospel we respond to in faith is not simply a new set of ideas but a truth that is meant to transform our lives. And it is that transformation which mediates God’s power to deal with the evil in the world. The power of the kingdom of God over the kingdom of Satan is achieved by the creation of a new human family made up of everyone who does the will of God. A community of converted people is God’s secret weapon against the power of evil in the world.

Let us be encouraged that weakness is an opening for God’s healing and liberating power. When we find ourselves depressed and oppressed by the evil we detect in society (and even in ourselves), perhaps we best hear the authoritative teaching of Jesus when we hear it as a call to our own further conversion. If that seems to touch us where we are weakest, let us be encouraged that such weakness is an opening for God’s healing and liberating power. As Paul said, “I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me” (2 Cor 12:9) Dennis Hamm, SJ

It is not the unclean spirit and the possessed man that trouble Jesus’ audience. They are disturbed because Jesus is acting totally out of line with his inherited status. This artisan from Nazareth dares to teach “as one having authority” in the Capernaum synagogue. Who gave him authority to teach? As the listeners puzzle over Jesus’ behavior, his teaching, and his manner of teaching, a man possessed by an unclean spirit interrupts the setting by shrieking.

The spirit who possessed the man in the synagogue is central in this story because he knows Jesus’ identity far better than Jesus’ compatriots do. He knows Jesus is “the Holy One of God.” Much to the amazement of the people, Jesus is not controlled or cowed by this unclean spirit. Instead, Jesus shows that his power is stronger than that of the unclean spirit. Jesus commands it to come out of the man, and it does!

The people now have an answer to why Jesus teaches “with authority, and not as the scribes.” Clearly, Jesus possesses powers stronger than those of ordinary human beings. Mark concludes by noting: “At once his reputation began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.”

The Western tendency to rationalize the ancient understanding of spirits is rooted in the fact that Westerners have much more power over their lives and circumstances than the ancients believed that they had. Today’s reflection invites Westerners to consider how wisely or imprudently they use their power. John J. Pilch

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After considering the above reflections (in which I inserted a few words in parentheses), I suggest we think about who we recognize as speaking and acting with authority. We live in a time saturated with misinformation and outrageous conspiracy theories that shockingly otherwise intelligent people believe and base their lives on. The very existence of objective truth has been questioned and often derided as “fake news.” It reminds me of the words attributed to Pilate, “What is truth?” before he buckled to the pressure of the crowd and condemned Jesus to death.  In brief, who is authentic? Who expresses God’s words and love to us?

Many today, after the fact, point to Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Theresa, John Lewis, and Archbishop Oscar Romero, among others. There are also likely people in your lives who act with such authenticity, whose words and lives exude authority without the unnecessary accutrements of titles or degrees.

I think of Pope Francis—not because of his title but in view of the authenticity of his words and actions. In his recent encyclical letter (Fratelli Tutti), addressed to all his brothers and sisters, he begins by describing how Francis of Assisi, even during the time of the Crusades, made an arduous journey to Sultan Malik-el-Kamil in Egypt. The Pope writes, “Francis went to meet the Sultan with the same attitude that he instilled in his disciples: if they found themselves “among the Saracens…”, without renouncing their own identity they were not to ‘engage in arguments or disputes, but be subject to every human creature for God’s sake.’  In the context of the times, this was an extraordinary recommendation. ….Francis urged that all forms of hostility or conflict be avoided and that a humble ‘subjection’ be shown to those who did not share his faith.”

What a message to us now, at this time! Pope Francis offers St. Francis as a model to free ourselves “of the desire to wield power over others” and to seek “to live in harmony with all.” Pope Francis felt encouraged by the Grand Iman Ahmad Al-Tayyeb whom he met in Abu Dhabi. Together they declared, “God has created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity, and has called them to live together as brothers and sisters.”

Pope Francis is seeking to guide us as St. Paul sought to do with the Christians at Corinth, namely to help us “devote ourselves entirely to God.”

In today’s Gospel reading, in place of writing any words of Jesus’ new teaching, Mark demonstrated it–by describing Jesus calling out the unclean spirit from the man convulsed by it. We are challenged to be mediators of Jesus’ all-inclusive love as we seek to overcome the lies and evil of untruth and divisive tribalism expressed in hostility toward immigrants, people of races different than our own, greed, and disrespect even for the planet that nurtures us. We have humble but powerful prophets from the past and from the present to guide us.

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Prayers of the Faithful

Response: “Jesus our light, show us the way.”

1. Jesus, our Brother, as we reflect on living our ordinary lives extraordinarily well, give us the strength to be true disciples in action, we pray—Response:  “Jesus our light, show us the way.”

• O God, be with all world leaders—and those in our country, especially our new president and vice-president and throughout the world—instill within each the wisdom of your Spirit to lead their people well. Help all to find the ways to peace, we pray—Response: “Jesus our light, show us the way.”

• Loving God, give each of us health of body, mind and spirit–especially those struggling today with illness beyond what they feel capable of bearing,—give each one your strength and wonderful gift of peace, we pray—Response:  “Jesus our light, show us the way.”

• Loving Jesus, help those looking for work to find what they need, be with those offering work, help each to move in justice to offer a living wage, we pray—Response:  “Jesus our light, show us the way.”

• O God, in this new year help us to strive to be people of peace, not war—help us to remember that Jesus has glorified our humanity by his presence in it, help us to treat people and our world accordingly, we pray—Response: “Jesus our light, show us the way.”

• Loving God, be with each of us today giving us what we most need in life, we pray—Response:  “Jesus our light, show us the way.”

• For our community, All Are One, continue to give us welcoming hearts to be open to all who come to us, help us to discern the new ways you may wish to lead our community, and make it possible to soon be together again, we pray—Response: “Jesus our light, show us the way.”

• Loving Jesus, be with all families who have lost loved ones this week, from COVID and all other causes—give them your peace, be with those our friends and relatives who are newly bereaved in this New Year, to find their way through their grief, we pray—Response: “Jesus our light, show us the way.”

             9. Be the light that individuals, family members and friends, and church communities need to work through the divisions caused by the past four years, we pray—Response: “Jesus our light, show us the way.”

***Let us pray for the silent petitions on our hearts, pause, we pray—then response

Let Us Pray

Loving God, be our strength, give us your wisdom; show us the way to be true lights in our world. Let our fear dissipate as we consider what needs to be done as your disciples.  Give us your heart to love our world and your people. Let us never be afraid to speak or act for the truth especially when people suffer for lack of the truth. Help us to be able to walk a bit in others’ shoes especially those we find hard to love—give us your understanding and your mercy always.  Surround our lives with your care. Bless us, keep us, and hold us in your love—we ask all this of you, Loving Creator, Savior, Spirit—one God, living within us and loving us forever and ever, Amen.

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Let Us Pray—Again my friends, we can’t be together, but please remember that Jesus is always with us!

Prayer of  Communion

Loving Jesus, always invigorate us with faith in You and help us to share You with our world—we ask this in your wonderful name, Amen.

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Dear Friends,

This Sunday brings us once again to what the Church calls, “Ordinary Time”–an in-between time when no big feast days are happening, but a time that, even so, is not without challenge–following our brother Jesus, means–we are always called to be our best. And these troublesome times in which we live call us to stand up for right, to speak the truth when just, plain truth is called for! My prayer for each of you is that you might more regularly, be able to do that. It won’t always be easy, but with compassionate words, it will always be right! Peace and love, Pastor Kathy

P.S. Please never hesitate to be in touch if I can help you in any way–by phone, 507-429-3616 or by email, aaorcc2008@gmail.com.

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Entrance Antiphon

May all the earth give you praise and honor and break into song to your holy name, O God, Most High and Most with us.

Let Us Pray

Opening Prayer

All loving and ever-present God, your watchful care reaches from end to end, loving all that you have created.  Help us to always embrace your desire for good in us. Give us the strength to follow your call, so that truth may live in our hearts and reflect peace and joy to those who believe in your love. We ask this of you all good and loving Creator, Savior and Spirit, One God, living and loving us, forever and ever, Amen.

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Readings:

• 1 Samuel 3: 3-10, 19
• 1 Corinthians 6: 13-15, 17-20
• John 1: 35-42

Homily

My friends, in today’s gospel from John, our brother Jesus responds to the disciples’ question, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” with a very intimate response—“Come and see!” His response is in tone and content akin in intimacy to their question.  By the time they asked it; they apparently had seen and heard enough of, and about Jesus, that they definitely wanted more. 

   We might compare this scene and desire to know more and perhaps take next steps to the situation of two people falling in love.  After a time, when they are sure that, “this is the one!” one or both decide to take their “love” home to meet their family—they want to take the next step!

   Andrew and John, the disciples who inquired where Jesus was staying had more than likely witnessed his baptism in the Jordan—maybe even heard the heavenly words, “This is my beloved, in whom I am well-pleased!”  We don’t know, but something affirmed the words of the Baptist within them, that, “This is the Lamb of God” and they took the next step to follow him.

   Jesus posed another question prior to the above exchange which is also significant, I think, in the interchange between the would-be disciples and their Rabbi.  Jesus asks them, “What are you looking for?”  It is an interesting question and a deeper one than simply noticing that these two men are following him.  Jesus, I believe, is asking them, what is it that you truly want—what is it that is on your heart?  These questions are truly “heart” questions.  And what do I mean by that?  These questions are about what these men truly want in life on a very deep level.  They don’t for sure have all the answers, nor have they truly thought out what following this Rabbi will mean—but on a deep level, they just know, this is right and that they must take this next step. 

   I just finished reading Kamala Harris’ 2018 book, entitled, The Truths We Hold, written after she was elected to Congress as a senator from California, but before becoming the Vice-Presidential candidate and ultimately, along with Joe Biden were elected to lead our country in the two top positions.  Before moving into this final position for which she will be inaugurated on January 20, 2021; she was one who listened on a deep—heart level for the ways she should go, always keeping in mind serving the people most in need.  It was why she became a lawyer, why she ran for and became District Attorney of San Francisco and then Attorney General of California. 

   Being a woman of black and South Asian descent; she knew what minorities live with, including discrimination which steeled her along the way to fight for justice for all—that no one would be without a voice. 

   Early on in her career as a senator and in her position on the Judiciary Committee; she was called upon to be part of the confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanagh for a lifetime position on the Supreme Court.  Within these hearings the country came to know Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who put her life in danger to come before the Senate hearings and tell her very personal story of attempted rape at the hands of a younger, drunk, Brett Kavanagh.  Because the Trump administration was determined to get Kavanagh confirmed to the Supreme Court due to his conservative views, placating his base, due process was not followed in truly investigating Blasey Ford’s allegations or those of two other women who came forward with similar charges. 

   Kamala Harris, truly her mother, Shyamala’s daughter, who spent her professional life searching for a cure for breast cancer, has always been an advocate for women— listening to her heart and then moving ahead.  Even though Christine Blasey Ford’s painful public testimony didn’t ultimately work to stop Kavanagh’s confirmation, Harris stated that it was not without merit, because it encouraged other abused women with no voices and those with voices who weren’t listened to, to come forward and tell their stories too!  “On the day that Dr. Ford testified, the National Sexual Abuse Hotline saw a 200 percent increase in calls [!]”

   My friends, I share this today because it fits so well into the chosen Scriptures of this Sunday.  Today’s readings are all about God’s call in life, to each of us, whomever and wherever we are to live out our dignity and divine natures through our one, wonderful human life.  Andrew and John heard the call to take the words “on stone tablets and make them ‘flesh’ within them—on their hearts,” as Franco Zeffirelli said so well in his 1977 epic film, Jesus of Nazareth.

   The boy Samuel is instructed by his mentor, Eli, to respond to God’s call very simply, “Here I am, I am listening [!]”  The intention of course is that Samuel will do God’s will and the Scriptures tell us that indeed, for Samuel, this was the case. 

   The fact that each of us is called to do God’s will, “committing” acts of justice, peace, mercy and love in our world as did our brother Jesus before us, as does Kamala Harris in the present, is confirmed as right by Paul’s words to the people of Corinth in today’s second reading, “Your [bodies are temples] of the Holy Spirit.”  In other words, “we would only expect this kind of action from you!”

   My friends, these are such troubling times where one, self-centered person has been able to turn otherwise intelligent people against scientists, environmentalists, historians, economists and journalists—all people who have devoted their lives to their craft, as is quoted in a Facebook piece by Bob Farnham. The reasons are many, but the reality is the same—our country has become much divided. Worse yet, for us who have come out of a Catholic background, is that this devotion to one person on the “seeming support” for one life issue has severely divided our families and our churches to the point that we can’t even communicate with each other. This inability to communicate seems to be based on whether we can agree with a black and white view of the world that names our living God as vengeful, hateful and with no understanding or mercy for the “gray” areas in life where many people find themselves. 

   With a thought toward what is needed in these troubling times where some people are convinced that it is their right to tell others what they must believe, how they must act and how they must vote; the words of Pope Francis are instructive: “The Church is called to form consciences, not to replace them.” 

   My friends, that is why I try very hard, to simply challenge your well-formed consciences, not to tell you what to believe, or how to act.  Each of you knows “right” when you experience it and likewise, “wrong” when you experience that too! Peace, for the most part, is the by-product of doing what is “right.”  Anxiety, tension and anger are just some of the by-products of doing what is intrinsically wrong or evil. 

   As we move into this New Year more with each passing day, may our hearts be filled with hope and anticipation as we strive, “to listen” to our God, through the world around us, the poor, the suffering, those without “voices,”  as we likewise strive after what is right and good at the “heart” level—doing all that we can—to be our best selves, not only for us as individuals, but for all of our brothers and sisters in this world.  Amen? Amen!

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Prayers of the Faithful

Response: “Come, O Jesus, hear us”

1. Jesus, our Brother, as we welcome Jesus, our Messiah into our midst today, help us to be able to respond as Samuel did, “Here I am, I come to do your will,  we pray—Response:  “Come, O Jesus, hear us”

• O God, be with all elected officials, especially our new leadership coming into office on January 20^th —instill within each one, the wisdom of your Spirit to lead their people well. Help all world leaders, to find the ways to peace, we pray—Response: “Come, O Jesus, hear us”

• Loving God, give each of us health of body, mind and spirit–especially those struggling with life—threatening illnesses, COVID and all others—give each one your strength and wonderful gift of peace, we pray—Response:  “Come, O Jesus, hear us”

• Loving Jesus, help those looking for work to find what they need,  we pray—Response:  “Come, O Jesus, hear us”

• O God, in this new year help us to strive to be people of peace—be with all in our country to strive for unity—help us to remember that Jesus has glorified our humanity by his presence in it and help us to treat people and our world accordingly, we pray—Response: “Come, O Jesus, hear us”

• Loving God, be with each of us today giving us what we most need in life, we pray—Response: “Come, O Jesus, hear us”

• For our community, All Are One, during this New Year, 2021  continue to give us welcoming hearts to be open to all who come to us, and inspire us in new ways to reach out this year to those most in need of our ministry. We pray additionally that we again soon join in person as a community, we pray—Response: “Come, O Jesus, hear us”

• Loving Jesus, be with all families who have lost loved ones this week, especially from COVID, but from all other causes too—give them your peace, we pray—Response: “Come, O Jesus, hear us”

***Let us pray for the silent petitions on our hearts—pause, then response

Let Us Pray

Loving God, you know what we most need today—be our strength, our peace—give us your heart to love our world and your people. Let us never be afraid to speak the truth especially when people suffer for lack of the truth. Help us to be able to walk a bit in others shoes especially those we find hard to love—give us your understanding and your mercy in these cases. Surround our lives with your care. Bless us, keep us, and hold us in your love—we ask all this of you, Creator, Savior, Spirit—one God, forever and ever, Amen.

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Let Us Pray—Again my friends, we can’t be together nor receive communion, but just know and remember that our God in Jesus is always with us. 

Prayer of Communion

Jesus, fill us with your Spirit and make us one in peace and love—we ask this of you, the Creator and Spirit of us all, Amen.

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Dear Friends,

We are just into this New Year a week and already, so much has happened. If COVID 19 wasn’t enough to try and get our arms around, as we await our personal chance for a vaccination, the terrorist attack from within, incited by our president upon the heart of our country and its democracy, the Capitol in Washington, has left many of us in a state of shock. A new year is always a time to take a look at how we are doing and the aftermath of January 6, 2021 has given all of us cause to do some real, soul-searching. What is it that we truly believe? Who is it we say we follow? When perhaps we are lost in the way to go or who to follow, we should as Jesus instructed, “Check the fruits!”

May each of us be blessed to know the right ways to go and in that find peace and joy.

If I might be of help to you in any way, please be in touch–507-429-3616 or aaorcc2008@gmail.com. Please stay safe and well.

Love and peace, Pastor Kathy

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Entrance Antiphon

When Jesus had been baptized, the heavens opened and the Spirit came down like a dove to rest on him.  Then a voice was heard: This is my Beloved, My Own, in whom I am well-pleased.

Let Us Pray

Opening Prayer

Loving Creator, you revealed Jesus as your Beloved, Your Own by the voice that spoke over the waters of the Jordan.  May we all who share in the life of Jesus, the Christ follow in his path of service to all people and reflect the glory of his kin-dom, even to the ends of the earth.  We ask this in Jesus’ name with You and the Spirit, who Three live and love us forever and ever—Amen.

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Readings:

• Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7
• Acts 10: 34-38
• Mark 1:7-11

Homily

My friends, I always find it interesting that the liturgy of the Church Year moves us so quickly from the seeming, peace and tranquility of a baby in a crib surrounded by the love and care of his parents to the adult Jesus being baptized by John. Of course last week, we did find the boy Jesus in the temple, but that is all until his baptism which is recorded for us today.

   But even the story of Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem that tells us so wonderfully of our God’s love for us humans—coming among us, is, as we know—fraught with danger and anything but peace.  The baby that came, seemingly, so mysteriously into the lives of Mary and Joseph; they would very soon have to protect through their escape into Egypt from forces who meant to harm him.

  This past week on January 6, 2021, we officially completed our remembrance of the Christmas Season with the Epiphany—the Manifestation of our God coming among us. The Magi—astrologers from the east, also known to us as, The Three Kings, made their return to their own country, signaling that this great story of love would be shared not just with the people of Israel, but with the entire world.

   Amid the story of a baby coming among us—the manifestation in human form of our God’s love for us; a scene of destruction also played out in present time at our nation’s Capitol.  As Senator Mitt Romney said of it, and I paraphrase; what happened here today was an insurrection encouraged by a selfish man’s injured pride and that man is the president of our United States. 

   This insurrection was meant to stop the acceptance by Congress of the 50 states certified votes which have basically proclaimed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, president and vice-president and who will be inaugurated as such on January 20^th. 

   Now this ceremonious acceptance of certified votes which is done every 4 years after a national presidential election and usually is hardly noticed in the news cycle was high drama this past week.  A mob who violently broke into the Capitol were able to stop the proceedings for a time, but this body of elected officials was determined to do the people’s work and at 3 A.M. in the early morning of January 7, 2021; they completed their work announcing that Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris would be inaugurated on January 20, 2021.

   What I found most interesting, wonderful and bordering on the prophetic, was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s words beginning again, the work of the people later in the evening of January 6, after the Capitol rooms were once again made safe.  She reflected her strong Catholic faith and Christian stance in all of her significant life decisions, calling to mind that all the drama of this day happened on the Epiphany, the Manifestation of our God among us.

   I say this, “bordered on the prophetic” because if this joint body of legislators did, in any way, experience a kind of “epiphany” regarding the oaths each of them took just days before to support and uphold the Constitution of the United States rather than their own personal ambitions, which seems to be the driving force for some within this august body, well—good!

   So, my friends, we bring all this to the Scriptures of this Sunday that marks the beginning of Jesus’ public life among us.  Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah is a cause for hope, not only for the people of long ago, but most certainly, for us now.  I am especially comforted by the prophet’s words that the Messiah will be, “one so gentle as to not break the bruised reed.”  Additionally, the Messiah will be, “one who will bring justice,” and one who will, “neither waver nor be crushed, until justice comes for the people who await it.” 

   We see too from Isaiah’s prophecy that our God will be gentle as well in dealing with the Messiah—“I have taken you by the hand and I [will] watch over you.” The wonder of this message is that each of us—by extension, will be dealt with the same care as our God deals with the Messiah, our brother, Jesus. 

   The prophet Isaiah continues, “I have endowed you with my Spirit that you may bring true justice to the nations.” The justice that Isaiah speaks of is what he further names as, “a light to the nations,” [to those who live in darkness], that will, “open the eyes of the blind”—think of the “blindness” that we all have witnessed this week!  Isaiah also speaks of,  “freeing people from prison,” and again we all know that there are many “prisons” that people need to be freed from; racism, sexism, clericalism and so on. 

    And again, we hear words of comfort from our God through these of the psalmist in #29 today, “Our God will bless the people with peace.”  And we all need the gift of peace in these trying times!

   Our second reading from Acts and our gospel from Mark both speak of the prophecy of John letting the people know that Jesus the Messiah is coming soon! The apostle Peter in Acts reminds the greater Church that Jesus’ time among us was filled with his, “doing good works.” Our time among those that we live with can be about no less. These are troubling times, yet good times too. Many needs within our society have had a “big light” shone upon them through this pandemic that has sickened and taken life from the poor and our black and brown sisters and brothers to a far greater extent than from those who are light-skinned—again the issue of our deep-seated racism as a nation. 

   We saw evidence of this at the Capitol in the violence of January 6^th perpetrated by white folk and the uneven response of police as compared to the over-the-top force this summer in Washington D.C. to quell the non-violent protests of black folk over the death of George Floyd. 

   Another of the works of justice that our Congress needs to be about going forward is also related to justice.  We all witnessed the wrangling in the Senate over stimulus checks before the Christmas holiday that finally gave $600 to people, many of  whom have been in need now for many months.  When talk of larger checks was raised, in the amount of $2,000, the word, “socialism” was thrown around by those who didn’t want the checks that high.  That is an interesting comment coming from lawmakers who are recipients of that same, “nasty” socialism themselves, in the medical care that they all receive.

   Many followers of our brother Jesus look forward to a new administration in Washington with the promise of more justice to those in need: a minimum wage that is fair and just, continued improvements to health care for all and a serious discussion and realization of the underpinnings of so much injustice through our national sin of racism, already addressed here, and all of this is just the beginning.  We have much work to do turning around the assaults to our physical world—its climate through selfish policies of the past era focused on greed instead of care for the earth and its people. 

   My friends, we have lived through so much pain and suffering within families and among friends in our inability to even talk with each other due to what amounts to a “cult” in the person of the current president of our country—from those who believe every word he utters to those who are simply abhorred by most of his actions.  

    Again, I find the need to apologize to those who may feel that I am using this opportunity to be political but please know that my intent is anything but that. In fact, this is what has been so frustrating for many people, myself included—there seems to be no way to call wrong, precisely that, when we see it, without being labeled  “partisan.” I believe Lisa Murkowski, Republican senator from the state of Alaska spoke well to this frustration after the events of January 6^th.  While asking for the resignation of the president, she asked her Republican colleagues to consider their own culpability with the president’s actions in the past that actually made the terrorism of January 6^th possible.

   Perhaps, it was appropriate that this era, 2016 to the present end in the deplorable display by some of the president’s  followers that we all witnessed this past week—the day of the Epiphany, incited because of, once again, as Mitt Romney said, “a selfish man’s hurt pride.” 

   Each New Year calls us and challenges us to be our best.  We are challenged in this New Year, 2021 to just that, no less!  This may seem daunting, but our Christian baptisms and confirmations are clear on this, on how we must be going forward.  When we aren’t always sure on the way to go, “check the fruits” as Jesus tells us. 

   Sister Joan Chittister ends her Christmas message of a few years back, yet still true, like this: “When the season of Christmas ends, we must all deal with the question of what we do with the fact that Jesus did become flesh.  “If that’s true,” [she says], “then all flesh is holy, all people are valuable, all human beings are a spark of the Divine…what does that then say about racism, sexism, ageism and nationalism?”

    The short reading from Acts today says that we must have the mind and heart of Jesus…

   A Rochester, MN Franciscan Sister, Diane Frederick, whom I too consider a sister as a Cojourner with this group of women religious, wrote a homily for Epiphany where she spoke of the “Star” that led the Magi to Bethlehem as one that they were willing to change their lives for.  She asks us to consider what “stars” are calling us? 

   And finally, as we consider what change we might be about in this New Year to make our world even a bit better, the words of Seneca, a Roman philosopher living during the time of Jesus is known to have said, “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare—it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” 

   My friends, may our good God in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, our brother and friend, be the “star” that we follow.  Amen? Amen!

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Prayers of the Faithful

Response: “Light to the Nations, hear our prayer”

1. O God, as we move from the Christmas Season commemorating  Jesus’ baptism today, help us to move more fully into following him, our servant leader, we pray—Response:  “Light to the Nations, hear our prayer”

• O God, be with all elected officials—instill within each one, the nobel sense to act upon the oaths they took to serve our Constitution and the people of this country, we pray—Response: “Light to the Nations, hear our prayer”

• Loving God, give each of us health of body, mind and spirit–especially those struggling with life—threatening illnesses—COVID and all others—give each one your strength and wonderful gift of peace, we pray—Response: “Light to the Nations, hear our prayer”

• O God, help us to be true followers of Jesus, willing to speak truth for justice  for those who most need our advocacy today, we pray—Response: “Light to the Nations, hear our prayer”

• O God, in this new year, help us to strive to be people of peace in our country, so divided—help us to remember that Jesus has glorified our humanity by his presence in it and help us to treat people and our world accordingly,  we pray—Response: “Light to the Nations, hear our prayer”

• Loving God, help each of us to be your lights in our world,  we pray—Response: “Light to the Nations, hear our prayer”

• For our community, All Are One, during this New Year, 2021, continue to give us welcoming hearts to be open to all who come to us, and inspire us in new ways to reach out this year to those most in need of our ministry, we pray—Response: “Light to the Nations, hear our prayer”

• Loving Jesus, be with all families who have lost loved ones this week, especially from COVID, but from all other causes too—give them your peace, we pray—Response: “Light to the Nations, hear our prayer”

***Let us pray for the silent petitions on our hearts—then response

Let Us Pray

Loving God, we thank you for your great love in sending us Jesus, our Brother and Friend. Help us to model our lives after his, selflessly giving to those in need, being people of truth, faith and trust in your word. Let our lives reflect mercy, goodness and joy to all that we meet. Help us as a faith community to realize our responsibility to always be welcoming of all who come to our table—help us to be good listeners of other’s stories respecting their journeys to you even if the path they take is different from ours. Be with our members, Bob and Michael this week, as each continues to heal.  Bless us, keep us, and hold us in your love—we ask all this of you, Creator, Savior, Spirit—one God, who lives and loves us forever and ever, Amen.

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Let Us Pray—Again, we are separated, but Jesus, our brother is with us, just the same—we must always remember that!

Prayer of Communion

O God, may we follow after Jesus,  becoming your children in name and in fact.  We ask this in his wonderful name—Amen.

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