January 6 SAINT ANDRÉ BESSETTE, RELIGIOUS

Title

The Way Down is the Way of the Kingdom

Outline

We have two readings that both point to St Andre Bessette

First, we have John the Baptist in the Gospel

His message was not about himself, but that “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.” Although John was a priest, although he was a well-known preacher, although he had started a movement, he talked about not being worthy to do the work of the humblest slave “loosen the thongs of his sandals.” And it was by getting down low that he got to see Jesus.

He was simply doing what he did in the wilderness, not in the city let alone the Tempe, “On [Jesus’] coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”” He saw, he experienced, but he did not boast about the experience. In fact, except for John ch 1 he would never say anything about this while he was in this life.

Second, we have the Son of God himself

He came, not with archangel trumpet blast, but “by water and blood,” by the humility of human incarnation, baptism, and then death. It is as if after the incarnation he went step by step lower, as Philippians ch 2 narrates.

And this is that to which the Spirit of God testifies. The testimony is to humility, even humiliation. And it is in this testimony that we learn, “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.” One is going to have to get down to find the Son, but there one finds life. The world’s potentates are high and totally miss it.

So St Andre Bessette is a living example of a message

He tried his best to make a humble contribution to religious life, but could not make the grade and only the intervention of a bishop allowed him to take vows and serve as a doorkeeper.

I remember one of the stories of his miracles that a significant man came asking for help for a sick person and found the saint on his hands and knees scrubbing the entry way. He did not look up, much less get up, but only paused to say something like, “Go your way; he is well.” Then he returned to scrubbing.

He had virtually nothing, and he asked to build a shrine and then a basilica. He never saw the completed basilica, but there is stands as testimony to the man who trusted St Joseph and did what he felt God wanted to honor him.

Sisters, this saint has always struck me. I realized when I was still in the biblical studies world that the way up to God is the way down in this world. Humility brings us to God, as the book, When the Lion Roars points out.

Let us follow not just St Andre but also John the Baptist and Jesus himself to the low place, the simple place, the trusting place, for there we will find him whom our heart loves.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 1-6-2024: January 6

FIRST READING

1 John 5:5–13

5 Who [indeed] is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth. 7 So there are three that testify, 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord. 9 If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.

13 I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

Catholic Daily Readings 1-6-2024: January 6

RESPONSE

Option A

Psalm 147:12a

12 Glorify the LORD, Jerusalem;

Zion, offer praise to your God,

OR

Option B

Text

PSALM

Psalm 147:12–15, 19–20

12 Glorify the LORD, Jerusalem;

Zion, offer praise to your God,

13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates,

blessed your children within you.

14 He brings peace to your borders,

and satisfies you with finest wheat.

15 He sends his command to earth;

his word runs swiftly!

19 He proclaims his word to Jacob,

his statutes and laws to Israel.

20 He has not done this for any other nation;

of such laws they know nothing.

Hallelujah!

Catholic Daily Readings 1-6-2024: January 6

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Text

GOSPEL

Option A

Mark 1:7–11

7 And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. 8  I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.”

9 It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. 11 And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 1-6-2024: January 6

SAINT ANDRÉ BESSETTE, RELIGIOUS

In the Dioceses of the United States

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

On the same date: January 6; Epiphany

From January 6

First Reading 1 John 5:5–13

Response Psalm 147:12a or Text

Psalm Psalm 147:12–15, 19–20

Gospel Acclamation Text

Gospel Mark 1:7–11 or Luke 3:23–38