This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, January 31st is from Mark 1:21-28.
“Then they came to Capernaum, and on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit. . .Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Quiet! Come out of him!’ The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. . .[Jesus’] fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.”
“Many of us may feel that we’re in the grip of something over which we seem to have no control. It may be personal, like addiction or illness. It may be something larger, like poverty or racism. It is God’s will that this grip be broken, that we be liberated from these sinful states. His living word continues to rescue us.” Source: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2020-2021
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Heb 11:32-40; Mark 5:1-20
Tuesday Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40
The Presentation of the Lord – “According to Mosaic Law, a new mother was ritually “unclean” for 40 days after giving birth. She then entered the temple with her child, bringing a sacrificial offering, to be cleansed by prayers. The Feast of the Presentation began in fourth-century Jerusalem and was soon celebrated in Rome. In the Middle Ages, the feast was called Candlemas and celebrated with a candle blessing and procession.”
Wednesday Heb 12:4-7, 11-15; Mark 6:1-6
Thursday Heb 12:18-19, 21-24; Mark 6:7-13
Friday Heb 13:1-8; Mark 6:14-29
Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (Memorial) – “Although what we know about Agatha is mostly legend, we do know that she died in Sicily during the Decian persecution (249-251). It is alleged that she was sent to a brothel to force her to give up her faith. When this failed, she was tortured and died in prison. Her intervention was credited with stilling the eruption of Mount Etna the year after her burial, and people began to ask her for protection against fire.”
Saturday Heb 13:15-17, 20-21; Mark 6:30-34
Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs (Memorial) – “Japanese Jesuit Brother Paul Miki and twenty-five companions were martyred in Nagasaki, Japan. From that time until 1865, Japan remained closed to the rest of the world. Despite this isolation, the faith survived without priests and with only the sacrament of baptism.” Source: Living With Christ, February 2021