This Week’s Gospel Message for Sunday, January 27th is from Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21. “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He said to them, ‘Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.’” Jesus is the manifestation of the one prophesied by Isaiah. We know that when we gather in his name, Jesus is present. Throughout Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is often addressed as “Teacher.” It is a title of respect and a recognition of his authority. It also implies that people were learning from him. Teachers in Catholic schools have a wonderful model in Jesus. Source: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2018-2019
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Heb 9:15, 24-28; Mark 3:22-30
Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest & Doctor of the Church (Memorial) –Born near Aquino, Italy, he studied at the Benedictine Monastery at Monte Cassino and joined the newly formed Dominicans. He wrote many books on Scripture and theology and was a man of simple devotion, whose hymns such as Pange Lingua, Tantum Ergo, and Adoro Te Devote are still sung today.
Tuesday Heb 10:1-10; Mark 3:31-35
Wednesday Heb 10:11-18; Mark 4:1-20
Thursday Heb 10:19-25; Mark 4:21-25
Saint John Bosco, Priest (Memorial) – Born in Italy, after seeing the fate of children in prison, he formed the Salesian Society, named after St. Francis de Sales, and taught poor and working class boys wherever there was a need. With the help of St. Mary Mazzarello, he also established the Salesian Sisters to do similar work among girls.
Friday Heb 10:32-39; Mark 4:26-34
Saturday Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40
The Presentation of the Lord (Feast) – 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.
Source: Living With Christ, January 2019 and February 2019