This week’s Gospel message Sunday, January 28th 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!”…All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this?…He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
Reflection
“The unclean spirit is made powerless and the man is freed of his torment. But the man would be wise to avoid the vulnerability that could lead to this demon returning to him, for it is only defeated for now, not destroyed forever. We too depend upon a higher power to exorcise our demons, but forever taking care to resist their reappearance later.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2023-2024
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Mark 5:1-20
Tuesday 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30—19:3; Mark 5:21-43
Wednesday 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17; Mark 6:1-6
Saint John Bosco, Priest (Memorial) – Born in Italy, 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.
Thursday 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; Mark 6:7-13
Friday Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 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.
Saturday 1 Kings 3:4-13; Mark 6:30-34
SOURCE: Living With Christ, January 2024 and February 2024