24 January 2025 (Friday) Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor on Friday of week 2 in Ordinary Time Saint Francis De Sales, Bishop, Religious Founder, Doctor Obligatory Memorial

24 January 2025 (Friday)

Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor on Friday of week 2 in Ordinary Time

Saint Francis De Sales, Bishop, Religious Founder, Doctor Obligatory Memorial

First Reading: Hebrews 8: 6-13

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85: 8 and 10, 11-12, 13-14

Alleluia: Second Corinthians 5: 19

Gospel: Mark 3: 13-19

First Reading : 

Hebrews 8:6‐13

We have seen that Christ has been given a ministry of a far higher order, and to the same degree it is a better covenant of which he is the mediator, founded on better promises. If that first covenant had been without a fault, there would have been no need for a second one to replace it. And in fact God does find fault with them; he says: See, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – when I will establish a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah, but not a covenant like the one I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.

They abandoned that covenant of mine,

and so I on my side deserted them. It is the Lord who speaks.

No, this is the covenant I will make with the House of Israel when those days arrive – it is the Lord who speaks.

I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts. Then I will be their God and they shall be my people.

There will be no further need for neighbour to try to teach neighbour, or brother to say to brother, ‘Learn to know the Lord.’

No, they will all know me, the least no less than the greatest, since I will forgive their iniquities and never call their sins to mind.

By speaking of a new covenant, he implies that the first one is already old. Now anything old only gets more antiquated until in the end it disappears.

Responsive Psalm : 

Psalm 84(85):8,10‐14

Mercy and faithfulness have met.

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help.

His help is near for those who fear him and his glory will dwell in our land.

Mercy and faithfulness have met.

Mercy and faithfulness have met;  justice and peace have embraced.

Faithfulness shall spring from the earth and justice look down from heaven.

Mercy and faithfulness have met.

The Lord will make us prosper and our earth shall yield its fruit.

Justice shall march before him and peace shall follow his steps.

Mercy and faithfulness have met.

Second Reading :

There is no Second Reading.

Alleluia: Second Corinthians 5: 19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

19. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not holding anyone's faults against them, but entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : 

Mark 3:13‐19

Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.

Words of the Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil:

WAY OF LIFE (SUMMARY)

https://sites.google.com/view/blessed-and-saints/home

1) Full time vocation (vocational commitment).

This first choice of calling is intended for those who want to devote their entire lives to living chastity, poverty and obedience (A commitment to live as Christ lived through vows of poverty, chastity and obedience). Those who choose this full time vocation will be guided based on the teachings of the Catholic Church and have the freedom to serve according to the rules that have been established. This first option involves extensive ministry and community life in Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels). Through this first option, every members can dedicate their entire lives to the community and the Universal Church.

2) Vocation for those who are not married and those who are married.

This second choice of calling is based on God's call to the Church and ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit. Those who choose this second vocation are those who choose not to marry and those who have married. This second option is specifically for every man and woman who chooses to serve God in Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels) without being bound by chastity, poverty and obedience but they need to know and must appreciate the meaning and the importance of chastity, poverty and obedience in order to grow in holiness and moral virtue. If this is not done, members cannot develop spiritually and intellectually. As a Most High Servant, I advise that chastity, poverty and obedience be studied in accordance with the lives of each of us who are not yet married and who are married.

3) A call to young people (A call for the youth).

This third choice of calling is addressed to young people in every family, community, parish and wherever we are. This choice is free and not bound to anyone. God calls in several ways and if understood carefully, young people can continue this third choice of calling before choosing the first, second and fourth vocation options. Young people are advised to divide their time for study, with their family and community, pray together and then choose their own time to read and reflect on their vocation and way of life through Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels).

4) A call to single life (Not married).

This fourth choice call is addressed to those who are currently celibate and presenting their lives to God. If this calling is appropriate and can be lived, every member needs to know how to live chastity, poverty and obedience. This fourth choice vocation is for everyone no matter male or female. Each members can ask any of our members in the Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels) to know more about this way of life if they do not understand because they lack knowledge. Remain humble and always ask many questions if we do not know what the purpose of this way of life is.

The candidates of Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love

(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)

Candidates do not need to submit an application to the Most High Servant to be accepted as member in this Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels). Every candidate is free and needs to follow the process of spiritual formation according to established regulations. If the candidates are from existing congregations and communities, you do not need to leave your place. You are free to follow this way of life while taking eternal vows in your respective places. Obedience needs to be maintained and observed with prayer. And after reading and understanding the vocation and way of life here, every prospective member can choose which one is your life choice. If the candidate comes from a foreign country, you don't need to come to Sabah Malaysia. You don't need to follow the process of prayer and spiritual discernment. You can do it in your own place but you need to follow the way of life and rules that have been set. In this way, we can walk together even though we come from different countries.

If candidates have been ordained as priests and want to follow the calling and way of life of Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels), they are free to join as long as it does not burden their service as a priest. Seminarians are also free to follow it. If a seminarian has been expelled from seminary for certain reasons and wishes to follow this calling and way of life, they are also free to do so. The vocation and way of life of Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels) is open to everyone. If a candidate comes from another Christian religion, they need to enter full communion within the Catholic Church first. After receiving a decision from the local Bishop, then the candidate is free to join. Regarding this matter, I, as a Most High Servant, am firm about this decision.

HOW TO CHOOSE ALL SUCCESSOR FOR THE MOST HIGH SERVANT, ALL THE SUPERIOR SERVANTS AND OUR FELLOW SPIRITUAL GUIDES BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

(SUMMARY)

https://sites.google.com/view/blessed-and-saints/home

Before choosing a Most High Servant (Successor), Superior Servants and Fellow Spiritual Guide Brothers amd Sisters, first read Acts 1: 12 - 26. After that, all members need to pray together according to their respective situations and places. Follow this method to choose by copying the reading. If the decision is still not in favor of our choice, repeat the same methods and actions followed by prayer, giving each other opinions about our choices as members, and then after the decision is reached, we all need to walk together and continue this way of life and our vocation. If necessary, those who are selected must be responsible for looking after their respective groups without favoritism. We are all sinners. We also have weaknesses and deficiencies. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us all. And don't be afraid if we are the chosen one. God has His own way of leading and guiding us. Follow these steps here.

1) Most High Servant (Successor):

Those who are chosen as Successor of the Most High Servant are obliged to continue the way of life and vocation in Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels). Even though you are weak from a spiritual perspective, as a Successor for the Most High Servant, you must have humility. Don't stop studying and praying. Develop the gifts that God has given us all. All sources contained here may be used from time to time. This is not the task of life as a Most High Servant but as a servant and as someone who is always obedient to prayer, as someone called by God to look after His flock, and as a good shepherd like the Lord Jesus Christ. We don't need to wait to be perfect first, but believe that God chose us because of His plan and will.

A succession for the Most High Servant needs to be selected first as the Superior Servant. This aims to ensure that all other Superior Servants are ready at any time to be selected as successor for Most High Servants. This is what I mean as a good shepherd, who is willing to serve like Jesus Christ and is able to sacrifice to maintain unity for all members. The successor to the Most High Servant should preferably be a man. However, if there is no replacement yet, another Superior Servants may be chosen as a temporary succession for the Most High Servant so that a valid replacement is obtained. The temporary successor for the Most High Servant is free, whether a man or a woman. (I hereby allow the election to be made from now on).

2) Superior Servants:

To choose each Superior Servants, we need to follow the same method as when choosing a succession for the Most High Servant. As elected Superior Servants, we need to collaborate with all the members in Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels). I encourage all of these Superior Servants not to reject this call from God. All of us as Superior Servants are candidates to serve as successor of the Most High Servant. Therefore, we as Superior Servants must know the way of life and calling here. Even though we are weak in terms of learning and spirituality, we have all the members who can help. We share the problems we face. Always communicate with other Superior Servants and fellow spiritual mentors. For the common good, I allow all the Superior Servants and Fellow Spiritual Guides Brothers and Sisters to gather together, talk about anything and encourage each other so that the journey of life in community can be achieved. Always help all weak and neglected members. Realize the unity of love that exists.

Maintain your respective goals and objectives. If we are weak, all other Superior Servants are obliged to help. Good reproof can save us from spiritual pride. Remember that the devil wants us to divide. Evil worldly influences can lead us to spirits of falsehood, self-deception and neglect of love and forgiveness. Remain faithful and persevere in prayer. If necessary, all selected Superior Servants may contact the Most High Servant directly to chat and ask for opinions. Any suggestions made must be addressed to the Most High Servant first before making any decisions. In this case, I, as a Most High Servant, am firm and do not allow all members to be ignored and pushed aside. (I hereby allow the election to be made from now on).

3) Fellow Spiritual Guides Brothers and Sisters:

As Fellow Spiritual Guides Brothers and Sisters, we do not need to follow the method for selecting successor for the Most High Servant and Superior Servants. All the members in the Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels) are Fellow Spiritual Guides Brothers and Sisters for each group that has been established. As Fellow Spiritual Guides Brothers and Sisters, we are all obliged to follow the way of life and calling here. If the Superior Servants requires assistance from us, then all available Fellow Spiritual Guides Brothers and Sisters are required to take the place of the Superior Servants to replace their position temporarily. This aims to ensure that Superior Servants who have problems can do other things. For example, if the Superior Servants desires to meet with other Superior Servants and the Most High Servant, the Fellow Spiritual Guide Brothers and Sisters is free to help. They can be chosen as either a man or a woman. This Fellow Spiritual Guides Brothers and Sisters also needs to be active and sensitive to the needs of all existing members.

All information relating to this way of life and vocation must be conveyed immediately. This aims to ensure that our Mission and Vision can be achieved according to God's plan and will. This is my prayer and advice for all of you. Don't be shy to ask for advice and opinions from all our members. Walk together as one community living in the presence of God the Father. If necessary, all of these Fellow Spiritual Guides Brothers and Sisters are people who have been baptized as Catholics, are attending Sunday School, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC), sunday school students at the Catholic Church or students who are currently still learning about Catholicism in all regions, villages, communities, parishes and also their respective Dioceses. Apart from this, candidates who wish to join must first be in full unity with the Catholic Church. After receiving approval for acceptance from the local Bishop, the candidate is free to participate. In this case, I, as a Most High Servant, am firm and do not take sides with anyone.

Humility is necessary to answer this calling from God. If parents come from the Catholic religion, and want their children to follow this way of life and vocation, I as Most High Servant will immediately allow these children to join, even though their children have not fully received the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. If young people, children and adults have not yet received the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, and find that their parents are Catholics, I as Most High Servant allow them all to join freely starting from today. In this case, I justify on the basis of God's merciful love. All of these no longer need to ask permission from me as the Most High Servant. They are free to participate and there are no obstacles. I warn all successor Most High Servant, all Superior Servants and Fellow Spiritual Guides Brothers and Sisters not to change anything that has been written here.

And if both parents have passed away and they want to join, I accept the participation of all these members with an open heart. However, those who still live together with their siblings in their respective families need to share their time so that their shared needs with their siblings are not neglected. If these members are the only child in the family and live without parents, they are free to join without conditions. And if members experience rejection and interference from their respective families, the best step is not to act outside your control at all. Those who experience difficulties and obstacles from their respective families to join in this service of love must be steadfast and remain humble. God will help us to continue to walk together as a community.

Live the way of life of Jesus Christ who had experienced rejection, humiliation until he was called crazy, tortured, killed and sentenced to death on the Cross. We can read about suffering, pain, humiliation, shame and being left alone in our Catholic Bible, especially in the Gospels. My advice here is to continue praying for each of your families and remember to follow the way of life and service here, we all need to be steadfast and patient. We leave them not because we hate our family but because we follow God's call. What is happening now in each of our families is the work of God the Creator, so that each of us can judge for ourselves why God called us in difficult and uncertain circumstances. That is why the Saints in Heaven are able to leave their respective families so that some of them become Saints for our Catholic Church. They are able to obey and be loyal to God. These Saints listened to God's voice.

Actions like this remind us all that what belongs to God in our lives is for the good and the path of holiness, purity and to make us better so that we become more like Jesus Christ. Therefore, what does not belong to God in this world, we must forget everything so that the way of life we choose is no longer under the power of sin and death. This is what we need to realize now so that one day we will have a free heart to respond to the call from God. I am sure and certain that all these sins of evil and worldly influences do not belong to God. Our life belongs to God because we were created in the image and likeness of God himself.  (I hereby allow the election to be made from now on).

Santo Felisianus dan Primus, Martir.

Riawayat hidup santo Felisianus dan Primus tidak banyak diketahui. Yang diketahui bahwa keduanya adalah saudara kandung. Sebagai seorang Kristen, kedua bersaudara ini sangat rajin menjalankan kewajiban imannya. Karena hal ini mereka ditangkap dan dibuang ke tengah-tengah singa-singa lapar di Kolloseum di Roma. Bentuk siksaan terhadap orang-orang Kristen seperti ini sudah lazim dilakukan pada zaman itu. Tetapi Tuhan melindungi Felisianus dan Primus dari keganasan singa-singa lapar itu. Mereka tidak diterkam, tetapi sebaliknya singa-singa itu berbaring dekat mereka.

Melihat kejadian aneh itu, para serdadu semakin gusar terhadap kedua bersaudara itu. Sebagai gantinya, Felisianus dan Primus dipenggal kepalanya. Peristiwa naas ini terjadi pada tahun 286.

Santo Fransiskus dari Sales, Uskup dan Pujangga Gereja.

Fransiskus lahir di Spanyol pada tanggal 21 Agustus 1567. Semenjak kecil ia sudah menunjukkan bakat-bakat yang luar biasa. Hal ini kemudian terlihat dalam hasil studinya di sekolah. Pendidikan Filsafat dan sastra di Universitas Paris diselesaikannya dengan gemilang. Setelah itu, ia melanjutkan studi di bidang hukum di Universitas Padua hingga meraih gelar Doktor.

Tuhan mempunyai rencana khusus atas dirinya. Fransiskus sendiri telah merasakan panggilan Allah ini. Setelah lama mempertimbangkan panggilann itu, ia memutuskan untuk mengikuti suara Tuhan. Orang tuanya tidak setuju dengan keputusan hatinya. Tetapi merekapun tidak berdaya untuk membatalkan rencana Allah atas diri anaknya itu. Fransiskus kemudian ditabhiskan menjadi imam.

Sebagai imam, ia dengan penuh semangat membaktikan dirinya bagi kepentingan gereja dan perkembangan iman. Ia bekerja di Chablais, kota Calvinis. Disana ia dengan gigih menegakkan ajaran iman yang benar. Tampaknya ia tidak berhasil. Karyanya menemui banyak rintangan, sedang hidupnya sendiripun senantiasa terancam. Meskipun demikian, ia tidak gentar menghadapi ancaman-ancaman itu. Ia coba menggunakan cara-cara lain untuk menyebarkan ajaran iman yang benar. Ia menulis ajaran-ajaran iman pada pamflet-pamflet dan meletakkannya pada tiang-tiang dan dinding-dinding diseluruh kota. Cara ini membawa hasil yang gemilang. Dalam waktu singkat, sebanyak 25.000-30.000 warga kota Calvinis bertobat dan kembali kepada ajaran iman yang benar. Hasil ini dilaporkannya kepada Sri Paus di Roma.

Melihat keberhasilan karyanya, pada tahun 1597 Fransiskus ditabhiskan menjadi Uskup. Sebagai Uskup, Fransiskus menaruh perhatian besar pada perkembangan iman umatnya. Ia dikenal sebagai seorang Uskup yang bijaksana, ramah dan sangat menyayangi umatnya. Sifatnya inilah yang membuatnya mampu mempertobatkan banyak orang. Tentang sifatnya, Fransiskus berkata:  Jika ada sesuatu yang mulia dari kelemah lembutan dan kerendahan hati, tentunya Tuhan sudah mengajarkan hal itu kepada kita. Tetapi Tuhan justru mengajarkan kepada kita kedua hal ini, yakni kelembutan dan kerendahan hati. Bersama dengan Santa Yohanna Fransiska de Chantal, ia mendirikan tarekat Suster-suster Visitasi.

Pada tahun 1662 Fransiskus meninggal di Lyon, Prancis. Banyak sekali hal yang ditinggalkannya kepada Gereja, terutama tulisan-tulisannya yang mendalam tentang iman Katolik. Salah satu warisannya ialah pentingnya memanfaatkan surat kabar untuk menyebarkan ajaran iman dan kebenaran. Fransiskus adalah orang Kudus yang merintis penggunaan surat kabar sebagai pewartaan iman. Karena itu, pada tahun 1887 ia digelari sebagai Pujangga Gereja dan pelindung para penulis dan pers Katolik oleh Sri Paus Pius IX.

Peringatan Wajib

St. Fransiskus dr Sales

Penutupan Pekan Doa Sedunia

Ibr. 8: 6-13; Mzm. 85:8.10,11-12,13-14; Mrk. 3:13-19

Warna Liturgi Putih

Ibr 8:6 Tetapi sekarang Ia telah mendapat suatu pelayanan yang jauh lebih agung, karena Ia menjadi Pengantara dari perjanjian yang lebih mulia, yang didasarkan atas janji yang lebih tinggi.

Ibr 8:7 Sebab, sekiranya perjanjian yang pertama itu tidak bercacat, tidak akan dicari lagi tempat untuk yang kedua.

Ibr 8:8 Sebab Ia menegor mereka ketika Ia berkata: "Sesungguhnya, akan datang waktunya," demikianlah firman Tuhan, "Aku akan mengadakan perjanjian baru dengan kaum Israel dan dengan kaum Yehuda,

Ibr 8:9 bukan seperti perjanjian yang telah Kuadakan dengan nenek moyang mereka, pada waktu Aku memegang tangan mereka untuk membawa mereka keluar dari tanah Mesir. Sebab mereka tidak setia kepada perjanjian-Ku, dan Aku menolak mereka," demikian firman Tuhan.

Ibr 8:10 "Maka inilah perjanjian yang Kuadakan dengan kaum Israel sesudah waktu itu," demikianlah firman Tuhan. "Aku akan menaruh hukum-Ku dalam akal budi mereka dan menuliskannya dalam hati mereka, maka Aku akan menjadi Allah mereka dan mereka akan menjadi umat-Ku.

Ibr 8:11 Dan mereka tidak akan mengajar lagi sesama warganya, atau sesama saudaranya dengan mengatakan: Kenallah Tuhan! Sebab mereka semua, besar kecil, akan mengenal Aku.

Ibr 8:12 Sebab Aku akan menaruh belas kasihan terhadap kesalahan mereka dan tidak lagi mengingat dosa-dosa mereka."

Ibr 8:13 Oleh karena Ia berkata-kata tentang perjanjian yang baru, Ia menyatakan yang pertama sebagai perjanjian yang telah menjadi tua. Dan apa yang telah menjadi tua dan usang, telah dekat kepada kemusnahannya.

Mzm 85:8 (85-9) Aku mau mendengar apa yang hendak difirmankan Allah, TUHAN. Bukankah Ia hendak berbicara tentang damai kepada umat-Nya dan kepada orang-orang yang dikasihi-Nya, supaya jangan mereka kembali kepada kebodohan?

Mzm 85:10 (85-11) Kasih dan kesetiaan akan bertemu, keadilan dan damai sejahtera akan bercium-ciuman.

Mzm 85:11 (85-12) Kesetiaan akan tumbuh dari bumi, dan keadilan akan menjenguk dari langit.

Mzm 85:12 (85-13) Bahkan TUHAN akan memberikan kebaikan, dan negeri kita akan memberi hasilnya.

Mzm 85:13 (85-14) Keadilan akan berjalan di hadapan-Nya, dan akan membuat jejak kaki-Nya menjadi jalan.

Mrk 3:13 Kemudian naiklah Yesus ke atas bukit. Ia memanggil orang-orang yang dikehendaki-Nya dan merekapun datang kepada-Nya.

Mrk 3:14 Ia menetapkan dua belas orang untuk menyertai Dia dan untuk diutus-Nya memberitakan Injil

Mrk 3:15 dan diberi-Nya kuasa untuk mengusir setan.

Mrk 3:16 Kedua belas orang yang ditetapkan-Nya itu ialah: Simon, yang diberi-Nya nama Petrus,

Mrk 3:17 Yakobus anak Zebedeus, dan Yohanes saudara Yakobus, yang keduanya diberi-Nya nama Boanerges, yang berarti anak-anak guruh,

Mrk 3:18 selanjutnya Andreas, Filipus, Bartolomeus, Matius, Tomas, Yakobus anak Alfeus, Tadeus, Simon orang Zelot,

Mrk 3:19 dan Yudas Iskariot, yang mengkhianati Dia.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.