Month: January 2008

“HOW DO YOU KNOW ME?” (Jn 1:43-51): 05 January 2008 (John Neumann, Saturday)

Reading: www.nccbuscc.org/nab/010508.shtml

In 2002 Mary Zimmerman won the Tony Award for Best Director for her work on “Metamorphosis,” a play based on a number of Ovid’s fables.  In one scene, Zeus and Hermes disguise themselves as ordinary peasants, and they visit a village knocking on doors to ask for a place to stay.  Every house closes its door on them, and after a while, Hermes tries to convince Zeus to give up.  But Zeus insists they continue and they end up before the simple cottage of Baucis and Philemon, a poor elderly couple, who–to the gods’ surprise–immediately welcome the strangers and serve them food and wine.  Suspiciously, Zeus asks them if they recognize them. “Of course!” exclaims Philemon. “You are children of God!”  But later Philemon notices that although he has already refilled his guests’ cups many times, the wine pitcher remains full.  At this point, the scene’s several narrators declare to the audience in unison:  “And then they knew.”  Baucis cries out, “Mercy, mercy!” and she and Philemon fall on their knees before the gods they finally recognize.  

“WHAT AM I LOOKING FOR?” (Jn 1:35-42):  04 January 2008 (Elizabeth Ann Seton, Friday)

Reading:  www.nccbuscc.org/nab/010408.shtml

There is an interesting and moving scene in J,K. Rowling’s first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.  In one of the dark and mysterious chambers of Hogwarts, Harry chances upon a dark and mysterious mirror, a mirror unlike any mirror he has ever seen before, a mirror that shows more than just one’s reflection.

‘WHERE IS THE LAMB OF GOD?’ (Jn 1:29-34):  03 January 2008 (Thursday)

Reading:  www.nccbuscc.org/nab/010308.shtml

In today’s gospel reading, John the Baptist sees the Lord and identifies him to the crowd with the words, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

My question for the day is:  “Where is the Lamb of God in the world today?  If we are to play the role of John the Baptist, where can we find the Lord?”

‘WHAT’S THE SOUND OF MY VOICE?’  (Jn 1:19-28):  02 January 2008 (Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Wednesday)

Reading: www.nccbuscc.org/nab/010208.shtml

Last month, I got myself an avatar and was born into Second Life, a virtual world that’s growing and spreading very fast.  I was curious about this virtual 3D universe, where the residents–as the members are called–build almost everything you find there:  every object, every building, etc.  It also had a lot of potential for education, so I wanted to learn more about it.

“WHAT DO YOU SEE?” (Lk 2:16-21):  01 January 2008 (Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.  Tuesday)

Reading:  www.nccbuscc.org/nab/010108.shtml

Among the many images of Mary as the Mother of God, this 12th-century icon of the Virgin of Vladimir is my personal favorite.  One of the most venerated icons in Russia, it is also known as the Icon of Tenderness not only because Mary holds her child with great tenderness, but also because the child wraps his arm around his mother’s neck and tenderly presses his cheek against hers.