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Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Please join us in this prayer service patterned after the rhythm of the Mass. It is another way to unite us to Christ and to each other at Saint Hubert.
Opening Our Heart to God
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, I know you are with me, always.
As I begin, I recall the times I have sinned and seek your forgiveness.- Lord have mercy.
- Christ have mercy.
- Lord have mercy.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth, peace to people of good will.
Opening Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
direct our actions according to your good pleasure,
that in the name of your beloved Son
we may abound in good works.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
Amen.
The Word of God: The Words of Life
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012223.cfm
First Reading: Isaiah 8:23—9:3
Isaiah shares a prophecy about Jesus: where there was darkness there is now light.
Responsorial: Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
Paul urges the community to know who it is they are truly following.
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23
Jesus shares his inaugural words as he begins his public ministry, and then calls Peter, Andrew, James and John to be a part of his mission.
A Reflection by Fr. Mike
I’d like to share a story with you:
There once was a woman who wanted peace in the world and peace in her heart, and all sorts of other good things, but she was very frustrated. The world seemed to be falling apart. She would read the papers and get depressed. One day, she decided to go shopping. She went into a mall and picked a store at random. She walked in and was surprised to see Jesus behind the counter. But she had to be sure. As she looked at him again and again, she finally got the nerve and asked, “Excuse me, are you Jesus?” “I am.” “Do you work here?” “No, I own the store.” “Oh. What do you sell in here?” “Just about anything!” “Anything?” she asked. “Yeah, anything you want. What do you want?” She said, “I don’t know.” “Well,” Jesus said, “feel free, walk up and down the aisles, make a list, see what it is you want, look at all there is to offer, and then come back and we’ll see what we can do for you.”
She did what he said, walked up and down the aisles. There it was. She could see it for herself. There was peace on earth, no more war, no hunger or poverty, clean air, careful use of resources, you name it. She wrote furiously. By the time she got back to the counter, she had a long list. Jesus took the list, skimmed through it, looked up at her and smiled. “No problem.”
Then he bent down behind the counter and picked out all sorts of things, stood up, and laid out the packets. She asked, “What are these?” Jesus said, “Seed packets. This is a catalogue store.” She said, “You mean I don’t get the finished product?” “No, this is a place of dreams. You come and see what it looks like, and I give you the seeds. You plant the seeds. You go home and nurture them and help them to grow and someone else reaps the benefits.” “Oh,” she said, and left the store empty handed. (Excerpted from Parables: The Arrows of God by Megan McKenna.)
…
Jesus has a vision for the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s a place where there’s peace, because what’s foundational is forgiveness. It’s a place of hope and second chances and new beginnings for those who seek it. It’s a place where there’s gratitude and generosity and goodness. It’s a place where we notice others and are aware of their needs. A place where we discover our neighbor is anyone who has a need we can help them with. And it’s a place where a servant is more respected than someone who demands to be served.
Jesus gives us the vision today: the Kingdom of God is at hand. And he urges us to participate in it. But to get behind it will require “repenting.” That word is meant to capture what it means to be aligned with a way of seeing the world the way God sees it. To see it may require us to “go beyond the mind we have” (which is the literal translation of the Greek word for “repent”).
Jesus lived the vision and invites us begin to live it, too. We’re not him, but we follow him, and not someone else, which is what Paul was talking about in the second reading. (He wants to make sure we’re following Christ, not someone’s version of Christ.) And just like following any kind of mentor or teacher, the goal of those who follow is to carry on what the teacher began. It’s to carry on the vision—to make the dream something real. It’s what makes fishermen, “fishers of men.” Jesus inspires us to participate in it.
If we notice, Jesus’ vision isn’t in the past tense or the future tense. He speaks in the present tense. The Kingdom is here and now. And he’s given us the keys to drive it because he’s given us the Holy Spirit—the fire, the passion, the wind behind the sails. He’s given us exactly what we need to make it happen.
And so…what do you dream about? What part of the vision do you want for your life? For your family? For our community? Even for our world? If you could make a list like the woman in that story what would you put on your list? That story had a sad ending, though. The woman had a full list but she didn’t want seeds—she wanted the harvest. She wanted to experience what other people worked to achieve without lifting a finger of her own. But to be a part of the kingdom isn’t just to take the fruit of what God produces, it’s to plant seeds to produce fruit that can be given away.
And that reminds me of another story. There once was an old Jewish man. All he ever did in his spare time was go to the edge of the village and plant fig trees. People would ask him, “Why are you planting fig trees? You’re going to die before you can eat any of the fruit they produce.” But he said, “I have spent so many happy hours sitting under fig tress and eating their fruit. Those trees were planted by others. Why shouldn’t I make sure that others will know the enjoyment that I have had?”
What can we plant for others to enjoy? Patience? Kindness? Generosity? Friendship? Hope? Compassion? Truth? Justice?
Just like in Isaiah’s time, people in our world today are walking in a lot of darkness. They may be looking to see a great light. We can bring that light in our little corner of the world by planting the seeds that will grow into something beautiful and meaningful. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. We can help the vision become something real. What’s in our hands, is the opportunity. It’s to plant the seeds.
Take a few minutes to reflect on the readings and to express what has captured your attention. What seeds are you planting to further Jesus’ mission and vision in the world?
All I Believe
As an alternative to the Nicene Creed, the Church also encourages Catholics around the world to profess the most ancient creed of our faith, The Apostle’s Creed.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son Our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and life everlasting.
Amen.
The Prayers of the Faithful
Good and gracious God, in union with my brothers and sisters at St. Hubert, we bring our prayers to you.- For the Church, that as one in the Body of Christ, we may honor our diversity and rejoice in the guidance offered to us by the Holy Spirit, we pray to the Lord.
- For world leaders and those in power, that they be inspired by the Spirit of Justice to defend all people. That by combining their efforts, they may protect nations threatened by violence, famine, and decimation, we pray to the Lord.
- For all those who work for the protection of human life in all its stages, that their work and sacrifice may soon bring forth a harvest of justice, including for the unborn, we pray to the Lord.
- For all of us at St. Hubert, St. Matthew, Church of the Holy Spirit and St. Marcelline, that the Cardinal will make the right decision for the common good of all, we pray to the Lord.
- For those suffering from addiction or anxiety; for those seeking work, for the underinsured, and those in nursing homes, that they find the resources they need to resume a life of dignity; and for the sick and injured, that they may be strengthened by those who care for them, including: Richard Vaughn, James Saldanha, Marge Fanella, Carlos Mackan, Jennifer Barrett, Gerry Tully, Marlene Stanek, Lori Voltman, Neal Royce, Stephanie Voeller, Clare Kanofsky, Samantha Freehling, Allison Turner, and for your intentions, we pray to the Lord.
- For our loved ones who have died, that they find joy in God’s loving embrace, including Sam Selim, Tony Huber, Karolina Wiech, Carol Mabus, Frank Schillace, Josephine Ziemba, and for those you would like to remember, we pray to the Lord.
- For your needs, for the prayers in our Book of Intentions, and for those for whom we are offering Masss for this weekend: John Birschbach, Agapito Heredia, Socorro De Leon, Leonard Smentek, Donna Doebler, Beth Carney, William Koch, Larry Salzburg and our St. Hubert Parishioners, we pray to the Lord.
A Spiritual Offering
During the Mass, we bring up gifts of bread and wine and thank God for them, because he gave them to us. Those gifts are then returned to us. God gives himself to us through Jesus Christ. What do you offer to God today of yourself, that can be returned as a gift to others? Who would you like to remember or offer this time of prayer for?
Longing for Communion
As we contemplate our desire to have Jesus Christ in our life, we prepare our hearts—knowing the angels and the saints are in communion with the One we long to be with. Let us lift up our hearts to the Lord.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God
through Christ our Lord.
For you laid the foundations of the world
and have arranged the changing of times and seasons;
you formed people in your own image
and set humanity over the whole world in all its wonder,
to rule in your name over all you have made
and forever praise you in your mighty works.
And so, with all the Angels, we do praise you,
as in joyful celebration we acclaim.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Prayer that Unites Us
United with my brothers and sisters at St. Hubert and with Catholics around the world, with one voice we pray the prayer Jesus teaches us to pray together.
Our Father, who art in heaven…
A Time for Peace
Lord, Jesus Christ,
You said to your apostles, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you”.
Please graciously grant peace to all of us,
to those in our family
and to everyone in our parish.
Allow us to be of one mind and heart.
Allow us to be an instrument of your peace.
(If praying with others, offer a sign of peace to one another.)
A Time for Spiritual Communion
As we long for the Eucharist, we long to be with Christ and share in his life. Let us spend some moments now in prayer uniting our life to the life of Jesus Christ. (You may even want to look upon a crucifix or hold it, or look upon an image or statue of Jesus Christ.)
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there,
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
A Prayer to Know My Vocation
Lord, my God, you have made me to know you,
to love you, to serve you,
and thereby to find and to fulfill my deepest longings.
I know that you are in all things,
and that every path can lead me to you.
Since I will do what you want of me,
I pray you send your Holy Spirit to me:
into my mind, to show me what you want of me;
into my heart, to give me the determination to do it
and to do it with all my love, with all my mind,
and with all of my strength right to the end.
Jesus, I trust in you.
Amen
Pastoral Note:
For those who may want to experience a more contemplative form of prayer, allow the Holy Spirit to pray within you. One way is to center ourselves by being conscious of our own breathing. Slowly breathe in. As you hold your breath for a second or two, picture Jesus Christ or even his name in your mind. Then slowly breathe out. You can repeat this type of spiritual exercise until you are ready to close in prayer. This can be done as easily with children as with adults. It can be very comforting, peaceful and a way to find communion with God by feeling His presence.
A Closing Prayer
Lord,
As we seek this spiritual communion
and desire Your presence,
we pray that You will protect us in these uncertain times.
Please give us the hope we need day by day,
strengthen our desire to help one another,
and keep our Saint Hubert Parish community close to You.
We long to gather together
without fear and uncertainty;
one family of faith, united, and of one mind and heart,
worshipping You at your altar of praise.
Please give us the strength
and connection we need
as we seek to be with you and one another.
We ask all our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Going Forth
Thank you, God, for this time we have shared.
I know you are with me.
Send me to announce the Gospel of the Lord.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
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