This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, February 4th is from Mark 1:29-39.
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Reflection
“Often we just have to learn things by ourselves simply because we learn better when we figure it out on our own. In today’s Gospel, Mark says that Jesus did not permit the demons he drove out to speak ‘because they knew him’. Despite following him for a long time, the disciples still misunderstood who Jesus was. They only learn little by little over time. Perhaps Jesus realized he had to wait patiently for his disciples to gradually learn who he was. What the demons could have revealed would not have enabled true learning.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2023-2024
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Mark 6:53-56
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.
Tuesday 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; Mark 7:1-13
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.
Wednesday 1 Kings 10:1-10; Mark 7:14-23
Thursday 1 Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7:24-30
Friday 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19; Mark 7:31-37
Saturday 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34; Mark 8:1-10
Saint Scholastica, Virgin (Memorial) – According to tradition, she was the twin sister of St. Benedict, the founder of Western monasticism. What is known about her life is found in Pope St. Gregory the Great’s second Dialogue, which is an account of her brother’s miracles. She was buried in Benedict’s own tomb where, soon after her death, he was also buried. She is the patroness of Benedictine nuns.