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by Richard Niell Donovan
EXEGESIS:
MARK 1:29-39. THE CONTEXT
It is only the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, but already Jesus is performing miracles—and dealing with crowds who are clamoring for more miracles—and dealing with disciples who do not understand his ministry. Already he is withdrawing to a deserted place for prayer. Already he finds himself having to re-set the focus where it belongs—the proclamation of the message (v. 38). This is the shortest of the four Gospels, the fastest paced, and the one characterized by the word immediately! We find ourselves needing to replay the story in slow motion to appreciate its significance.
Just a few verses ago, Simon and Andrew left their nets to follow Jesus—and James and John left their father (vv. 16-20). However, either they have yet to leave Capernaum or they have returned home after a short absence—in other words, they are still at home—this story takes place at the home of Simon and Andrew. READ MORE
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Recently I found myself at the TV and the movie “Rosewood” was broadcasting. This movie was inspired by the 1923 Rosewood massacre in Florida when a white mob of bigots killed black people and destroyed their town. It hurt my heart so deeply to see the suffering of black people at the hands of bigots. I had to turn away. What bothers me most is their laughter and escapades while watching and engaging in another human being’s suffering. Not only were the surrounding adult bigots engaged but the intentional antics they used to enculturate their children was a space of sacred pause. They were teaching them hatred by way of promoting the false truth of white privilege. They intentionally wanted them to think people of color were less than themselves and they needed to learn techniques to actively promote their suffering. This was even more nauseating. In this particular movie that was based in history was about innocent people of color being accused of an egregious act that they did not do and how the accusation of the event unleashed a hate form them that was just waiting for an opportunity to explode into the lives of innocent people of color just trying to get through the day. READ MORE | |
From the Environmental Justice Committee | |
The Environmental Justice Committee offers for your reflection this passage from Pope Francis's exhortation, Laudato Si (2015):
Reflection 15 Stewardship of biodiversity
In the protection of biodiversity, specialists insist on the need for particular attention to be shown to areas richer both in the number of species and in endemic, rare or less protected species. Certain places need greater protection because of their immense importance for the global ecosystem, or because they represent important water reserves and thus safeguard other forms of life. Let us mention, for example, those richly biodiverse lungs of our planet which are the Amazon and the Congo basins, or the great aquifers and glaciers. We know how important these are for the entire earth and for the future of humanity. We cannot fail to praise the commitment of international agencies and civil society organizations which draw public attention to these issues and offer critical cooperation, employing legitimate means of pressure, to ensure that each government carries out its proper and inalienable responsibility to preserve its country’s environment and natural resources, without capitulating to spurious local or international interests.
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Friday, February 2
@ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
First Friday Adoration and Benediction
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First Friday Adoration and Benediction is on February 2, 2024 - The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked each parish to extend its devotion to the Eucharist during 2023-24. Jesuit parishes have been doing this in the First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart. We invite parishioners and friends to join in prayer for the City of Baltimore and for Healing in the Church. The adoration is from 8 am to 11 am and concludes with Benediction. Location: St. Peter Claver Chapel at St. Ignatius Church, 740 N. Calvert Street. Sign up to assist us in adoration by clicking on the button below.
Sign up for Adoration and Benediction
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Sunday, February 4
@ 7:15 pm - 8:30 pm
Young Adults: Never on Sunday
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Wednesday, February 7
@ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Environmental Justice Committee
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Thursday, February 8
@ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Justice & Peace Ministry Meeting
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Sunday, February 11
@ 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
Embracing God's Gifts
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Tuesday, February 13
@ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Reading and Discussion Group
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Wednesday, February 14
Ash Wednesday Mass Times in link below
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Friday, February 16
@ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Stations of the Cross
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Sunday, February 18
@ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (via Zoom)
Embracing God's Gifts Scripture Study
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Sunday, February 18
@ 7:15 pm - 8:30 pm
Young Adults: Never on Sunday
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Upcoming Ignatian Retreat in March | |
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Our approach:
Participants will enjoy inspiring presentations on Lenten themes with time for quiet prayer as well as evening socializing with friends and colleagues from Jesuit parishes, schools, and alumni networks. There will be opportunities for the celebration of Mass, the Sacraments of Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick, one-on-one spiritual direction, and Eucharistic Adoration.
Our venue:
Established in 1958, Loyola on the Potomac is a Jesuit Retreat House in Southern Maryland built on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River and is surrounded by 235 acres of rolling woodland. The retreat house includes 2 beautiful chapels, comfortable lounges and sitting rooms and 70 individual bedrooms (each with a half bath). Loyola also has a small fitness room, bookstore, hiking trails and outdoor Stations of the Cross pathways for retreatants to enjoy.
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ICJS is proud to announce that we have produced Spiritual Warriors: Decoding Christian nationalism at the Capitol riot, a 25-minute documentary featuring three years of original research by ICJS Protestant Scholar Matt Taylor. This short film examines the movements behind a politically active branch of Christian nationalism, its involvement in the Capitol riot, and the continuing threat it presents to democracy. Some of you may have heard Matt speak about this issue in your fellowship or in an ICJS class or event.
ICJS is premiering Spiritual Warriors at an event on January 31 at 7 p.m. at the Senator Theatre in north Baltimore, followed by a panel discussion, and we would like to offer you the opportunity to bring a guest. The first 25 current fellows and fellowship alums who purchase a ticket for the premiere event will be able to register a guest for free! We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to share the work ICJS is doing to build interreligious community and advocate for our pluralistic democracy.
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Offerings & Prayers & Snapshots | |
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NUMBERS SNAPSHOT
Last weekends
attendance and collection
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The Board of Trustees of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore is delighted to announce the appointment of Walter Reap as the school’s third President. A true educator, he has dedicated his professional life to expanding the possibilities for students' education. Mr. Reap has been a leader at Cristo Rey for seven years serving first as Principal and then Vice-President of Academic Affairs. His commitment to Ignatian education, to the school’s dynamic Corporate Internship Program, and particularly to the continuing growth of the young people of Baltimore City and their teachers stands out to his colleagues at Cristo Rey. Walter is a graduate of Edinboro University, earned a Masters of Administration from Bowie State, and this summer will complete his doctorate in Educational Leadership. He has been honored with numerous awards including the Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership award and the Nancy S. Grasmick Excellence for Minority Achievement Award. READ MORE | |
READER NOTIFICATION:
Parish: 'the thought' is a publication of St. Ignatius Catholic Community—Baltimore. Each edition contains articles and news feeds that are included for awareness of current topics in our world today. The positions expressed by outside authors and news feeds are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of St. Ignatius Catholic Community or its staff.
- This e-zine was designed and compiled by John C. Odean
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