Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time [B]

Readings
Hosea 2:16b, 17b, 21-22
2 Corinthians 3:1b-6
Mark 2:18-22

Calendar
February 28: Mardi Gras
March 1: Ash Wednesday, start of Lent
March 1: International Day for the Abolition of the Death Penalty (See http://www.hrea.org/feature-events/death-penalty-abolition-day.php)
March 1: International Women of Color Day (See http://www.womenofcolorday.com/)

Quotes
Moved like Jesus with compassion for the crowds, the Church today considers it her duty to ask political leaders and those with economic and financial power to promote development based on respect for the dignity of every man and woman. . . Throughout history, even when hate seems to prevail, the luminous testimony of His love is never lacking.
Benedict XVI, Message for Lent 2006

Peace must be built on the basis of justice in a world where the personal and social consequences of sin are evident.
U.S. Bishops, The Challenge of Peace, #56

The daily experiences of human life show very clearly how much forgiveness and reconciliation are indispensable if there is to be genuine renewal, both personal and social. This applies not only to interpersonal relationships, but also to relationships between communities and nations.
John Paul II, Message for Lent 2001

...it must be remembered that true peace is never simply the result of military victory, but rather implies both the removal of the causes of war and genuine reconciliation between peoples.
John Paul II, Centesimus Annus

The only path to peace is forgiveness. Forgiveness given and received enables a new kind of relationship among people, breaking the spiral of hatred and revenge and shattering the chains of evil which bind the hearts of those in conflict with one another. For nations in search of reconciliation and for those who hope for peaceful co-existence between individuals and peoples, there is no other way than this: forgiveness given and received.
John Paul II, Message for Lent 2001

Thoughts for Your Consideration
The first reading from Hosea, reminds us of the God who takes a risk and reaches out to the estranged and the sinner. God reaches out to the person who needs to be reconciled. God is faithful and compassionate. As the psalm today says: "The Lord I kind and merciful." Wouldn't it be great if this side of God would be reflected in our behavior toward each other and the behavior of nations toward each other?

The second letter to the Corinthians speaks of a new covenant and reminds us of the Spirit that gives life and is so much more powerful than "the letter." The gospel today talks about a fresh new spirit. Jesus is about new wine, which requires new wineskins. Wouldn't it be great if this new spirit could be seen in our behavior toward each other and the behavior of nations toward each other?

The war in Iraq has been going on for almost three years. As our nation deals with issues of war and peace, torture and terrorism, freedom and transparency, we need to hear again that call of God to a new spirit í¢â‚¬" a spirit that reaches out and is kind and merciful. The war in Iraq is one more war in a long history of centuries of wars. It is one more war in a world with many other wars going on. The pattern repeats itself. I suppose that we could say that this "war thing" has not been working for a long time and maybe we should try something new. Wouldn't it be great if a new divine spirit of reconciliation and peace could be seen in our behavior toward each other and the behavior of nations toward each other?

The scriptures seem to be calling us back or inviting us to something "new" or "different." We need to receive "a new wine" in "new wineskins." We need to work on reconciliation just like God does in Hosea. God speaks to the heart of the estranged one. We need to get excited about the new spirit of Jesus í¢â‚¬" a spirit of peace and reconciliation and active non-violence - a spirit that takes the risk to reach out in a new way.

Questions for Reflection in your Faith Sharing Group
When did someone go out of their way to reach out to you when you need reconciliation and healing?

Actions í¢â‚¬" Links
Pope Benedict XVI's message for Lent can be found at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20050929_lent-2006_en.html

An excerpt:
"I would like to pause and reflect upon an issue much debated today: the question of development. . . our responsibility towards the poor emerges with ever greater clarity and urgency. My venerable Predecessor, Pope Paul VI, accurately described the scandal of underdevelopment as an outrage against humanity. . . In the face of the terrible challenge of poverty afflicting so much of the world's population, indifference and self-centered isolation stand in stark contrast to the "gaze" of Christ. . . Moved like Jesus with compassion for the crowds, the Church today considers it her duty to ask political leaders and those with economic and financial power to promote development based on respect for the dignity of every man and woman. . . Throughout history, even when hate seems to prevail, the luminous testimony of His love is never lacking.

Prayer í¢â‚¬" Meditation

Prayer for Peace

Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.

Jewish source: The Tanakh, Micah 4:2-5, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/

A Prayer for Peace

Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS,
for they shall be known as
the Children of God.

But I say to you that hear,
love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you.

To those who strike you on the cheek,
offer the other also,
and from those who take away your cloak,
do not withhold your coat as well.

Give to everyone who begs from you,
and of those who take away your goods,
do not ask them again.

And as you wish that others would do to you,
so do to them.

From http://www.angelfire.com/md/elanmichaels/christianpeace.html