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Breath of the Spirit

Pastoral, Liturgical, Teaching, and Social Justice Moments brought to you by www.DignityUSA.org.

Breath of the Spirit is DignityUSA’s electronic spiritual and liturgical resource for our members and potential members. Nothing can replace your chapter or other faith community, but we hope you will find further support here for integrating your spirituality with your sexuality and all the strands of your life.

We welcome relevant homilies, inspirational writings, social justice opportunities, or theological articles from other sources also — particularly from wise women and men who can help us grow as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) and allied Catholic/Christians. You may volunteer to help with this program or send your comments by e-mailing info@DignityUSA.org ATTN: Breath of the Spirit.

FEBRUARY 1, 2009: FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings: 
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
I Corinthians 7:32-35
Mark 1:21-28

When asked, “What was Jesus’ first miracle?” most of us respond, “Changing water into wine at Cana in Galilee.” That’s correct if we’re dealing with John’s gospel; but wrong if we’re talking about the other three. Since those who originally read gospels already believed in Jesus’ divinity, evangelists employ miracles not to prove Jesus is God, but to show what kind of God he is. The first miracle sets the theme for the rest of the gospel.

JANUARY 25, 2009: THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings: 
Jonah 3:1-5,10 I
Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20

Those who read Jonah incorrectly have a problem with Jonah. Those who read Jonah correctly have a problem with Yahweh. Many falsely think Jonah was sent by Yahweh to preach repentance to the Ninevites, then becomes angry when they do repent and are saved. Actually, Yahweh gives the prophet a message of destruction, not repentance: “Forty more days and Nineveh shall be destroyed!” Jonah becomes angry when Yahweh repents and, against his prophetic word, doesn’t wipe Nineveh off the map: “. . .

JANUARY 18, 2009: SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings: 
I Samuel 3:3b-1O, 19
I Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20
John 1:35-42

The key line in today’s three readings is the editorial comment in our I Samuel pericope, “At that time Samuel was not familiar with Yahweh... “His lack of familiarity causes the young boy to confuse Yahweh’s voice with Eli’s, resulting in a biblical Abbot and Costello routine. Since almost everyone agrees the main role of organized religion is to help us experience God in our daily lives, how does one acquire such familiarity?

JANUARY 11, 2009: THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

Readings: 
Isaiah 55:1-11
I John 5:1-9
Mark 1:7-11

Mark, Matthew and Luke narrate Jesus’ baptism differently. (John, the Evangelist, doesn’t even refer to the event.) Part of the differences (or omission) can be explained by eventual tensions between Jesus’ followers and those of John the Baptizer. But Mark mentions something unique, something which creates problems for some Christians. Only Mark has the heavenly voice speak to Jesus.

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