Thursday, February 5, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

(II Kings 2:4.10-12; Mark 6:7-13)

Today’s gospel serves as a guide for navigating the approaching season of Lent.  In less than two weeks our heads will be ashed, and we will pray for mercy.  Spiritual masters have recommended that the forty days be considered a journey from self-indulgence to self-giving.

Jesus sends out the Twelve “two by two.”  We are reminded that the Lenten journey need not be solitary.  Sharing our experience with a couple faithful friends may keep us on track when temptations to abandon our resolutions arise.  Taking “nothing on the journey” reminds us to sacrifice comforts and delights as a testimony of our love for God.  A walking stick and sandals are essential for travelling on a rough road in Biblical days.  They are represented by Scripture and the Sacraments for our Lenten journey.

The gospel passage ends saying the apostles drove out many demons.  We want the demons within us like pride, laziness, and lust to be likewise removed.  Following the Lord’s instructions suggested here, we will progress in prying these demons loose.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

 Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

 (II Samuel 24:2.9-17; Mark 6:1-6)

 Today’s first reading should make us question the wisdom of using only Scripture to judge moral acts.  It indicates that David committed a terrible sin by taking a census of his people.  The United States and perhaps most governments of the world take such a census every ten years.  Do they thereby commit public sins?

 By no means!  It is necessary that a government have up-to-date knowledge of its people so that it might serve them better.  However, David’s action points to a deep shortcoming.  His hidden reason for the census is that he wants to know how many troops he can count on.  In this way he does not have to depend on God.  But God has been at his side in battle since the day he slew Goliath.  Now he wants to go out alone as it were.

Although trust in God in any endeavor includes one’s making preparations, there is a difference between the two.  When we trust in God, we do not violate any of His precepts nor do we presuppose accomplishment of our goal.  Rather we work diligently to assure success, pray that it is God’s will, and conform ourselves to His Providence.

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

 

(Optional) Memorial of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr

(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)

Today’s rather obscure patron saint is one of the most celebrated by the people.  The reason, of course, is the long tradition of blessing throats with candles, themselves blessed yesterday, “Candlemas Day.”

The gospels report that Jesus worked many healings like the two done in today’s passage.  He cured sickness and expelled demons to show that the Kingdom of God has indeed come upon the world.  The Kingdom promises wholeness to loving believers although not immediate cure of every illness.  Healed or not on earth, they will experience the fulness of health in eternal life.

Today’s blessing should not be taken as a vaccine for throat disease.  It is a request for healing of every kind – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  It is said that St. Blaise’s prayers saved a boy from choking on a fishbone.  May his prayers clear our throats as well to profess faith in God and to tell of God’s glory.

Monday, February 2, 2026

 

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

(Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-32)

Throughout the Old Testament the People of God long to see God’s face.  Psalm 27 expresses the desire pointedly: “’Come,’ says my heart, ‘seek God’s face’; your face, Lord, do I seek!” (Psalm 27:8) Good people realize that in the Lord’s presence there is not only beauty but safety and happiness.  In short, in seeing God’s face, one experiences salvation.

In today’s gospel Simeon encompasses this longing.  A seer above all, he has been promised sight of God’s face.  He might have expected that the countenance of God would be that of a wise person full of trial, strength and compassion.  However, like Samuel when he is presented with David for anointing, Simeon is surprised by the face of an infant.  But he has no doubts.  Upon seeing the Christ-child, he breaks into song: “’Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation ….”

The Church sings Simeon’s Canticle at Night Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.  It assures us that Christ not only lights our way through this world but becomes our focus in the next.

Saturday, January 31, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest

(II Samuel 12:1-7a.10-17; Mark 4:35-41)

Today’s first reading shows the effects of sin.  It not only comes back to bite the sinner but creates a destructive ripple in society.  Like a tsunami the ripple can grow to devastate homes and cities.  David believed that as king he could do anything he wanted.  He could sleep with another man’s wife.  He could have the man killed for his convenience.  But David like everyone else is subject to God’s justice.  He will not only suffer the death of his child, but also dissension among his other sons and continual upheaval among his descendants.

The story is repeated on a larger scale today.  Sexual promiscuity and marital infidelity have resulted in vast numbers of abortion, abuse of women, and children in poverty.  Should there be any wonder that sexual entrepreneurs like Jeffrey Epstein arise?

Our world often seems like the stormy sea described in today’s gospel.  Jesus is with us in the boat of society.  But we must seek his wisdom and follow it if we are ever to live in tranquility.