SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Holy Family
Epistle, Col. 3, 12-17
Gospel, Luc. 2, 42-52
Pot luck dinner immediately following Mass
Monday: Feria after Epiphany NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday: Feria after Epiphany
Wednesday: Feria after Epiphany
Thursday: Commemoration of the Baptism of the Lord
Friday: Saint Hilary, Bishop, Confessor & Doctor
The Gospel sums up Jesus’ life in Nazareth in just three words: erat subditus illis, He was obedient to them. “Jesus obeys, and He obeys Joseph and Mary. God has come to the world to obey, and to obey creatures. Admittedly they are very perfect creatures--Holy Mary, our mother, greater than all but God Himself; and that most chaste man Joseph. But still they are only creatures, and yet Jesus, who is God, obeyed them. We have to love God so as to love His will and desire to respond to His calls. They come to us through the duties of our ordinary life--duties of state, profession, work, family, social life, our own and other people’s difficulties, friendship, eagerness to do what is right and just” (Bl. J. Escriva, Christ is passing by, 17).
Jesus lived like any other citizen of Nazareth. He worked as a carpenter and earned His living by the sweat of His brow. He was obedient unto death. Obeying God’s will always means being unselfish. Obedience is also the first stage of wisdom. We know that Jesus during His hidden life all those years in Nazareth grew in wisdom and grace. This was because He always obeyed. We must follow His example of obedience particularly with regard to the teachings of His Church.
When we obey God’s commands we exercise wisdom and show our love for Him. Let us imitate Christ our Lord who was obedient unto death. Let us submit to the will of God in all things.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
