Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • January 20, 2023 5 MORE THAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS We are Professional Remembrance Planners Explore the many unique ways to honor and celebrate lives. Call or visit Bradford O’Keefe today. BRADFORD-O’KEEFE FUNERAL HOMES Professional. Compassionate. Dignified. 228-374-5650 • Bradfordokeefe.com 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com Michele Q. Pisciotta, MD Gynecology 1721 Medical Park Dr., Suite 200 Biloxi, MS 39532 228-271-3814 Opening Remarks -- Image: Crystal Lewis wrote and recorded a song titled; “Beauty for Ashes” based on Isaiah 61:3-4. Some of the lyrics are: “When what you’ve done keeps you from moving on. When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart. Know that forgiveness brings wholeness and healing. God knows your need, just believe what He said. I once was lost but God has found me. Though I was bound I’ve been set free. I’ve been made righteous in His sight. A display of His splendor all can see.” And the chorus: “He gives Beauty for Ashes, Strength for Fear, Gladness for mourning, Peace for Despair.” Overview of Readings: Today’s Scripture readings present God as a contrarian who reveals His contradictory nature with restorative action. When the present circumstances of life seem overwhelming, when obstacles and stumbling blocks threaten to rob us of appropriating God’s healing and restorative grace, God, who knows and sees the future, has already mapped out a corrective plan that will lead us to victory. Hope and Promise: The opening verses of today’s first reading describe Israel’s anguish and gloom brought on by their rebellion from God and captivity by enemy pagan nations. But the tone quickly changes with words of contradiction to assure God’s chosen have not been abandoned and better days will come. Harvest Time: Isaiah continues by proclaiming a harvest; a time of respite and relief of burdens where darkness, gloom and doubt give way to light, gladness and clarity (Isaiah 9:2b). For us, why not reap merrily, rejoice abundantly, sing a new song gladly, glorify and praise God expectantly and walk in His light unashamedly. We can smash the yoke of past failures, old grudges, negative thinking and useless worry that leads to despair. Don’t linger in the land of worry, darkness, and despair but live with God on the mountain of joy (Isaiah 1b, 2a) letting God provide when the tests or trials come. Beatific Vision: An encouraging image for application of this principle comes from Acts 7:56 where Stephen surrounded by his angry accusers with stones in hand, was given the grace of a beatific vision. “…filled with the Holy Spirit (Stephen) looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” In an instant before Stephen was to be stoned to death, God provided this gift of grace he needed to endure martyrdom. Perhaps our moments of turmoil do not lead to martyrdom, but in whatever difficulties we encounter, God’s grace is there for us when needed. Deeper “Yes” Today’s Psalm poses a rhetorical question, which points attention to the Lord. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?” When we are enlightened by God’s word of truth and live by it rather than chasing secularly constructed solutions to satisfy the deeper longings of our heart, God provides strength to overcome at the most trying moments of our need. Salvation is God’s gift of grace for those who remain in the state of grace lived out from communion to communion as we worthily receive Jesus body, blood, soul, and divinity in His Eucharistic presence. If uncertain of your worthiness -- set it right through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. St. Augustine wrote, “Nobody can know himself unless he has experienced temptations, nor can he be crowned if he has not been victorious, nor can he be victorious unless he has fought, nor can he fight if he has not enemies (sins that plague us) and temptations.” Stephen covey, author of the book “Seven Habits of Highly Successful People” wrote, “It is easy to say, “No” if there is a deeper “Yes” inside.” Harmony: Paul admonishes the Corinthians to use their words cautiously. The same tongue can slander and destroy or encourage and build up. The former breeds anger and division the latter peace and harmony. Which do you think our Lord would have us experience? His call for unity and harmony takes a contrarian approach to the rivalries present in our modern culture. Only by putting division to death can the body of Christ experience the sweet harvest of oneness in the Spirit. Be an uncompromising peacemaker, healer and unifier amid rancor; and rejoice as others follow your light. Follow Me: Today’s Gospel fulfills Isaiah’s first reading prophecy. With John the Baptist in prison, Jesus takes up the ministry of prophet to prepare the way for God’s saving light to dispel sin’s darkness. Instead of calling disciples to follow them, Rabbis in Jesus’ day let an eager aspirant approach them and request a teacher- learner relationship. But Jesus takes the contrarian approach by initiating an invitation to four fishermen to reap the harvest of soul-salvation. They would eventually do what He did: teach, proclaim the good news of the kingdom, and cure every disease and illness among the people. Jesus is still inviting and empowering disciples to walk and act in His ways. Closing Remarks and Image: Deacon Bill Vrazel owned and operated a fine dining restaurant on the Mississippi Gulf Coast until August 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina devastated it. During the clean-up process Deacon Bill recovered a 14” high statue of Jesus he had in his office. The statue was intact except both hands from the elbow down and both legs from the knee down were missing. That statue can be seen today hanging in the dining room at the Dedeaux retreat center where the Diocese of Biloxi holds Cursillo weekends. Deacon Bill added a caption that reads, “I have no hands and no feet but yours -- Jesus” How eager are you to be Jesus’ hands and feet in answering the call that has proven effectiveness? “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2a). Hesitation and excess baggage can stifle success. With the call, the Lord provides every good gift and blessing needed for the task. Our job description is to follow, our duties are to imitate, and our compensation package is abundant life. Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his website: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Isaiah 8:23-9: 3 Psalm: 27:1, 4, 13-14 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23 Third Sunday of Ordinary Time Beauty for ashes Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries