Monday, February 23, 2026

 

Monday of the First Week of Lent

(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25,31-46)

Today’s first reading is taken from the famous “Holiness Code” in the Book of Leviticus.  The code lists a series of precepts that are to be followed so that one may become holy like as God.  The precepts mirror the Decalogue, but today’s reading has a striking peculiarity.  It tells the reader not to show “partiality to the weak.”  Doesn’t this conflict with the blessing that Jesus bestows on those who serve the needy in the gospel reading?

It doesn’t if one considers the context of the prohibition of partiality.  The command applies to judicial proceedings.  A criminal suspect should be judged guilty or innocent according to the evidence, not according to socio-economic status.  Nevertheless, a poor or sick person should be assisted in meeting physical needs.  In the gospel Jesus extends the scope of beneficiaries.  They are not only members of one’s family or community but strangers as well. 

Despite our reluctance to think of ourselves as holy, achieving holiness is our vocation in life.  It is also the immediate objective of Lent.  We recognize that it is a long road that often seems endless.  But through the years and with continual effort, progress becomes evident.

Sunday, February 22, 2026

 

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, February 22, 2026
(Genesis 2:7–9; 3:1–7; Romans 5:12–19; Matthew 4:1–11)

We have begun the long journey of Lent. To help us make good use of these forty days, the Church offers us some of the most profound readings in the entire Bible. We know them well, yet they are always worth revisiting.

It is often said that the story of Adam and Eve describes the first sin. This is true, but it also describes every human sin. At the root of all human sin lies the pride of the first human beings. We sin whenever we consider our own will more important than the will of God. In this story, the serpent tempts the woman with the promise that if they eat from the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they will be like God. Rejecting God’s command not to eat from that tree, both eat the fruit. Every time we sin, we do the same thing: we reject God’s will to satisfy our own desires.

We say “we,” but we should not include Jesus Christ in that statement. Although Jesus shares our human nature, he never placed his own will above the will of God the Father. In today’s Gospel, we see him overcome pride in each of the three temptations presented to him by Satan.

In the first temptation, Jesus is in the desert suffering intense hunger. Satan urges him to satisfy his desire by turning stones into bread. Jesus, however, recognizes that doing so would disappoint his Father. He decides that satisfying his hunger is not worth displeasing God, and he rejects the temptation. We can place ourselves in Jesus’ sandals. If, after working all Sunday and missing morning Mass, would we choose to attend Mass in the evening instead of immediately satisfying our hunger?

Then Satan tries to test Jesus’ relationship with his Father. He suggests that Jesus perform a reckless act to see whether God will save him from death despite his foolishness. Jesus has no difficulty rejecting this challenge because he knows that God’s love for him—and for all—is infinite. But beyond the question of paternal love, Jesus knows that he must do things in God’s way, not his own. We might ask ourselves: when faced with a difficulty, are we ready to handle it in God’s way? Or do we insist on doing things our way while assuming that God will forgive us later?

Finally, Jesus is tempted with power over the world. It is easy to imagine how appealing this temptation is to pride. All Jesus would have to do is perform an act of adoration to Satan to gain control of everything. But Jesus recognizes the stench of deceit. Satan is the father of lies.  Furthermore, Jesus did not come to earth to serve himself—much less to worship the devil. He came solely to serve his Father.

In the second reading, Saint Paul speaks of “the overflowing grace that makes us righteous.” This is the grace that flows from Jesus Christ. He twice conquered the pride of the first human beings that brought death to all. First, he overcame the three temptations in the desert. Then, he definitively overcame human pride on Calvary. To benefit from this overflowing grace, we must live in relationship with him. Here, in the Eucharist, he offers us his Body and Blood as our strength. He does not abandon us when we go out to face life’s challenges.  Rather, he walks with us so that nothing may cause us to stumble. With him at our side, we trample pride underfoot and pass from death to eternal life with God.

Friday, February 20, 2026

 

Friday after Ash Wednesday

(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26)

Tac had a rough life.  He grew up the son of a bar owner and married a woman who worked in the bar.  The two lived loosely with much partying.  Then Tac’s father died of alcoholism, and he told his wife that they must reform.  They quit their jobs in bars and began a family. One day Tac went home and found his wife raped and murdered.  He was accused of the crime but easily cleared himself.  However, Tac could not clear the anger in his head.  When the murderer was caught, Tac tried to take revenge by getting himself arrested in the same jail as the murderer.  The plan failed, but Tac was sentenced first to probation on a drug charge, then after being caught with more drugs to a state abuse punishment center. 

There things turned for the better.  Tac met a chaplain who, as he says, “saw Christ in me.”  With the chaplain’s assistance, Tac forgave his father and finally his wife’s murderer.  Tac attended the execution of the murderer and heard his final statement.  The man thanked God for his friends and family who enabled him to reform. Right before his death, the murderer turned to Tac and asked, “Can you forgive me?”  Tac nodded yes.

This true story teaches that reconciliation is more than praying for your persecutors and telling yourself that you forgive them.  It is seeking them out to forge a relationship of mutual care and respect.  Jesus demands us to do this in today’s gospel.  He tells us, who come to mass, that as we arrive and remember that we have done something wrong to another, we must seek that person out, offer our apology and pray that it is accepted.  If we cannot do this, we should not expect God to be lenient with us on judgment day.

Thursday, February 19, 2026

 Thursday after Ash Wednesday

 (Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)

 “Choose life.”  We have all seen bumper stickers with this anti-abortion message.  No doubt, people who feel burdened by an unexpected pregnancy find the message ironic.  To them life is being liberated from the responsibility of a child so that they may pursue their own felt needs.  Life, then, is one of those simple words with a range of meanings. 

 In the reading from Deuteronomy today, Moses exhorts the Israelites to “choose life.”  He has in mind following God’s commandments which bring prosperity to both individual and community. As always, Jesus intensifies Moses’ message.   In today’s gospel he says that life comes when people surrender themselves to God as he does.  This will often mean a renunciation of one’s personal desires.  But the life that Jesus has in mind is eternal happiness with God.

 We have already chosen Jesus’ way of life, but we have not always been faithful to it.  During Lent we make the necessary adjustments to renew our choice. It requires sacrifice for sure. To help us in the process we have the Lord himself in the Eucharist as well as one another.

 

Wednesday, February18, 2026

 Ash Wednesday

(Joel 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)

A guest editorialist recently wrote in a national newspaper about his experience of receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday.  He said that like most Catholics he does not attend Mass every Sunday. But -- he defended himself -- he always goes on Ash Wednesday.  He said that it is a good thing to receive the ashes and hear the words, “… you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

It would be fair to ask the writer, “Good for what?” if he does not repent of sins like not giving due worship to God.  Ashes are administered to do more than remind one of human mortality once a year.  Obituaries do the same every day.  Ashes are the first step in the process of repentance and reform.  They move recipients to stop thinking about conforming to the Lord’s ways and to start doing it.

In today’s gospel Jesus tells us that our repentance must be sincere.  It should not be done to impress others or – more foolishly – to think we can fool God by fasting, giving alms, or praying publicly.  These requisite practices are to be carried out without drawing attention to ourselves or convincing ourselves that we are better than others.  No, we practice repentance for love of God whom we have often failed.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(James 1:12-18; Mark 8:14-21)

Novice hikers in the Rockies are told what to do if they spot a bear.  They are not to run.  Running would provoke a bear to attack if it is threatened or hungry.  Rather than run, hikers are to hold their backpacks over their heads and walk away from the bear.  Bears do not have 20-20 vision.  They would see a hiker with a pack held high as a giant with whom they would rather not tangle. 

What has this to do with today’s gospel? Only this: like a hiker with backpack raised high will appear formidable to a bear, pride and arrogance will distort the vision of a sinner.  She will think herself better than she is.  In the gospel Jesus warns his disciples not to think like this.  The “leaven of the Pharisees” is pride which puffs up one’s self-perception.  Disciples do not have to boast about who is smarter. stronger or more beautiful.  They have Jesus -- the one loaf – with them.  He is both sustenance and consolation for one and all.

Tomorrow we begin Lent.  It is a time of grace.  We will walk with Jesus forty days to temper our pride -- our love of self -- and to bolster our charity -- our love for others. 

Monday, February 16, 2026

 

Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(James 1:1-11; Mark 8:11-13)

The Letter of James is a New Testament enigma.  No one knows who wrote it or to whom it was written.  Some think it was written by James, “the brother of the Lord.”  Perhaps, but if so, why does the author never relate a personal experience with Jesus?  In fact, he hardly mentions the Lord.  For this reason, others wonder if it is not a Jewish document that has been “baptized” with a few Christian references.  Yet the work echoes Jesus’ passionate defense of the poor.  This is seen in today’s passage which speaks of the lowly being exulted and the sun scorching the richly endowed flower of the field.

Today’s reading also mentions “the twelve tribes of the diaspora” as the letter’s addressee.  This may sound like a reference to Jews living outside of Palestine.  However, the First Letter of Peter begins with a similar reference.  Perhaps, then, the phrase refers to the communities of the twelve apostles. 

Since the Reformation, the Letter of James has been most noted for its apparent refutation of St. Paul’s claim, “… a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Rom 3:28). James states his case bluntly, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).   Paul himself bows to this truth in the Letter to the Galatians where he says, “For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love” (Gal 5:6).  Let us note as well James’ testimony to faith in today’s passage.  He writes that when faith is tested, it produces perseverance which leads to perfection.  The perfection of sanctity is what we consider essential for eternal life.

Sunday, February 15, 2026

 

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 15:16–21; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10; Matthew 5:17–37)

Worldly wisdom. Isn’t this what our Uncle John used to describe as necessary for a good life? He outlined some of its principles for us: it is good to help your neighbor, but it is even better to be seen helping. Also, what matters most is not what you know, but whom you know.

In today’s second reading, from his First Letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul also speaks about worldly wisdom. He does not so much criticize it as he points out that it is not equal to divine wisdom. Indeed, in some ways human wisdom can help us move through life with a certain ease. For example, it suggests that we study when we are young so that we will not have to work as hard when we are adults. There is nothing radical about that.  Another saying of worldly wisdom, certainly more controversial, is this: it is good to be loved, but it is better to be feared. Dictators put this piece of worldly wisdom into practice.

The main problem Paul has with worldly wisdom is that it cannot save us from sin and death. On the contrary, according to Saint Paul, if we follow only the advice of the wise of this world, we will end up dead forever. That is why he exhorts the Corinthians to seek the wisdom of God. Where can it be found? Paul says it is no farther away —nor more difficult to grasp— than surrendering ourselves to Christ crucified.

In last Sunday’s reading, Paul spoke about how he himself surrendered to Christ’s cross when he came to preach in Corinth. He said, “When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom… for I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” Paul did not speak of an invincible warrior or an athletic champion who might gather mass allegiance.  Rather, he spoke of a man who gave his life for others. Somehow, this preaching won the minds and hearts of many listeners.

Preaching Jesus Christ crucified qualifies as the wisdom of God because it favors the poor and the humble rather than the powerful. Jesus died at the hands of the powerful in order to save the multitudes from sin and death. It is also divine wisdom because it works mysteriously: it does not attract people through a display of power, but through a story of universal love. Without a doubt, Paul preached the resurrection of the Lord along with his apparently complete defeat on the cross. Yet the acceptance of this message was the work of the Holy Spirit, not the charm of country folk tales, since the Corinthians were city people, not very tolerant of rural folktales.

In the Gospel, Jesus challenges his disciples to put the wisdom of God into practice. He says that it is not enough not to kill; they must also avoid anger toward a brother or sister. In this way, everyone will know that they belong to God. Likewise, they must not only refrain from committing adultery, but also avoid looking at a woman with lust. In this way, people will recognize that it is God’s grace that is at work, not merely human discipline. Finally, Jesus says that his disciples should not take oaths, but should “let your ‘yes’ mean yes, and your ‘no’ mean no.” (We understand this prohibition as a condemnation of unnecessary, casual, or deceptive oaths.) His disciples are not meant to impress others with lengthy words, but to bear witness to the simple truth of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ..

In a few days we will begin the season of Lent. It is an opportunity for us to practice the wisdom of God. May our sacrifices and our prayer not be ways of impressing one another. Rather, may they be a testimony of our love for God and for our neighbor.

 

Friday, February 13, 2026

 

Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 11:29-32.12:19; Mark 7:31-37)

Most people credit Abraham Lincoln for ending slavery in the United States.  He is rightly seen as the great emancipator of African slaves.  However, more important than that feat, which was not accomplished until after his assassination, was Lincoln’s saving the country from division.  Lincoln himself saw the preservation of the Union as essential.  He wrote in a famous letter published in the New York Times during the Civil War: “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery.”  Lincoln knew that the end of slavery was inevitable.  He also knew that it would come about more easily and completely with the Union intact.  Unions of people and states allow dialogue, which fosters understanding, which brings about the give and take of compromise.  For this reason, the breakup of the Kingdom of Israel signified in today’s first reading is tragic. 

The union of the northern tribes and southern tribes was never easy.  It was accomplished by David, a strongman with an impressive faith in God as well as political shrewdness.  Its coming apart with David’s grandsons led to strategic weakness vis-à-vis the other nations of the region.  The gradual corruption of the leaders of both northern and southern kingdoms contributed to the downfalls of the kingdoms and the exiles of their peoples.

Our Catholic Church today is threatened by calls and acts of separation on both the right and the left.  The proverbial “man in the middle” is Pope Leo.  His mandate is not only to keep the Church together while seeking reunification with Orthodox churches and Protestant ecclesial communities.  He must accomplish these feats without betraying the apostolic tradition.  We can assist his efforts by prayer and also by developing restraint in judgment of others and by reaching out in honest dialogue with those who disagree with us.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7:24-30)

Today’s gospel may be compared to the experience of a priest asked to hear a confession on Easter Monday.  He is exhausted after Holy Week when he celebrated long liturgies and heard hundreds of confessions.  He just wants to rest when someone bursts into his office begging him to hear her confession.  It is not only that it would take time and effort, but also that there are posted times for confessions.

Jesus has arranged a retreat from his exhaustive schedule of preaching and healing.  He only wants a short respite from work when the pagan woman interrupts his tranquility. She requests that he expel the demon molesting her daughter.  Jesus tries to tell her that there will be a time for ministry to Gentiles, but she insists.  Jesus -- moved by the woman’s faith in him, love for her daughter, and humility -- grants her petition.

We may wonder why Jesus hesitates to utter a word that would drive out her daughter’s demon.  It probably takes more effort than we imagine.  It may create a ministry to the much more numerous non-Jews before he completes the mission prescribed by his Father to the Jews.  We also would like to ask about Jesus’ remark that refers to non-Jews as “dogs.”  This question may be answered by the Jewish use of “dogs” for Gentiles as a popular way of speaking in Jesus’ time.  It is no more insulting than for us to call our children “kids,” which is the proper name for small goats.  Rather than criticize Jesus’ behavior in this gospel, we might consider the following: he takes time to converse with the woman; he changes his position after hearing the woman’s argument; and he mercifully grants her request.  Jesus remains a model for us in everything.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

 

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 10:1-10; Mark 7:14-23)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is astounding people today much like the personal computer did forty years.  Ask it any question – “How do I bake apples?” “Why do Chinese have trouble pronouncing the letter ‘r’?”  How does Kant’s philosophy compare with Aquinas’? – and it responds with a plausible answer in a second.  AI can write a letter for you, balance your checkbook, tutor you in a foreign language, and incredibly more. There is no more exaggeration here than in the first reading’s statement: “… there remained nothing hidden from (King Solomon) that he could not explain to (the queen of Sheba.).

Solomon is famous for his wisdom.  He not only knew many things but, more importantly, understood how things can work for the improvement of his subjects. Despite these blessings, Solomon died in a troubled state.  His many wives had twisted his heart away from the God of Israel.  His sons, Jeroboam and Rehoboam, were ready to divide his kingdom. 

In working with AI, we might take advantage of Solomon’s legacy.  The help AI provides is enormous.  But some will submit its products as their own creations.  Another problem is AI’s tendency to “hallucinate”; that is, to extrapolate from its base new information that is not accurate. If we use AI to deceive others, then it is not helpful but harmful.  In these cases, it is twisting us away from God, who is truth.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

(I Kings 8:22-23.27-30; Mark 7:1-13)

Solomon built the “First Temple” in Jerusalem to unify the people of Israel.  The people came there from every part of the vast kingdom to worship.  They also celebrated Israel’s principal feasts and offered sacrifices for sins. 

The Temple was to the people of Israel what a monastery chapel is to a community of nuns.  The holy women come together several times a day for common prayer in the chapel.  Most monasteries practice “Eucharistic Adoration” where the Blessed Sacred is exposed in the chapel for a most, if not all, of the day.  The chapel is space where the nuns not only praise God but encounter Him much like healing is found in a hospital.

Because of her association with her brother, St. Benedict, today’s patron -- St. Scholastica -- is said to have founded the Benedictine nuns.  Not much is known of her life.  However, like Benedict, she was dedicated to God.  She worked, prayed, and lived simply with other consecrated women to express her love for the Lord.

Monday, February 9, 2026

Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 8:1-7.9-13; Mark 6:53-56)

Once upon a time a chicken and a pig were planning the farmer’s birthday party.  The chicken suggested to the pig, “Why don’t we give him a breakfast of bacon and eggs?”  The pig flinched at the idea. “Wait a minute”; he said, “for you, that may represent a token of appreciation.  But for me it is total sacrifice.” 

Humans have sacrificed animals for reasons greater than providing the farmer’s breakfast.  Today’s first reading tells of the people of Israel offering to the Lord “sheep and oxen too many to number or count.” Because animals are so vital for human welfare, their offerings may represent the people themselves.  The reading expresses this purpose.  The enormous sacrifice bespeaks the people’s intention to give themselves fully to God with Solomon’s temple.

Often, however, sacrifices from humans are compromised.  We make them to appease God, not to express the intention of dedicating ourselves to Him.  Because of this pretension as well as our other sins, Jesus handed himself over to be sacrificed.  As the divine Creator and the foremost exemplar of humanity, Jesus makes the perfect offering to God the Father.  Of course, he does not immolate himself.  Rather the world’s egotism condemns him to death on a cross.  His suffering that injustice out of obedience to the Father redeems us of our sins. 

 

Sunday, February 8, 2026

 

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Isaiah 58:7–10; 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; Matthew 5:13–16)

As last Sunday, today’s Gospel is taken from the Sermon on the Mount. The disciples have drawn near to Jesus to listen to his teaching. He began by proclaiming “blessed” those who live the righteousness of God. In the passage we hear today, Jesus uses two images to describe the role of his disciples in the world.

But who are the disciples of Jesus? Some may think they are only the Twelve Apostles. That cannot be the case, however, because besides Simon Peter and his companions, the Gospel speaks of a relatively large number of followers. It was from among them that Jesus chose his inner circle of confidants. The word “disciple” comes from the Latin discipulus, meaning “learner” or “student.” Pope Francis has called all Christians “missionary disciples.” This was not merely a pious compliment, but a concrete call addressed to the baptized. Rather than simply praying in the pews, all Christians are called to learn about Christ so that they may speak about him to others.

There is a Protestant community that calls itself “the Disciples of Christ.” They see themselves as the vanguard of a movement to unify a fragmented world. Their spirit as well as their name would have certainly pleased the former pope.  Unfortunately, their beliefs and discipline do not totally conform to the Catholic tradition.

First, Jesus calls his disciples “the salt of the earth.” Salt has many uses, from preserving fish to melting ice. It is not only useful, but also inexpensive. Mahatma Gandhi, the Hindu leader, called salt “the condiment of the poor.” Probably Jesus has this use in mind when he declares that his disciples are like salt.

Salt adheres to starches, vegetables and meats to enhance their flavors. In a similar way, Christians are called to improve society. The Letter to Diognetus is a second-century document written to defend Christian customs against their many critics. It says: “(Christians) marry like everyone else and beget children, but they do not abandon the children they conceive. They share the table, but not the bed.” Over time, the Christian practices of rejecting abortion and reserving sexual intimacy for marriage were adopted by most nations.

In recent times, however, we have witnessed an erosion of these values. We have seen the acceptance of sexual promiscuity and abortion even among some Christian groups. One could say that “the salt has lost its taste.” Instead of showing the world virtue, these Christians have adopted worldly vices.

Even more common and beneficial than salt is light. Light makes it possible to transform water and carbon dioxide into food through photosynthesis, a process that also releases oxygen into the atmosphere. Without food to eat or oxygen to breathe, neither human life nor nearly any other form of life could exist.

We, as disciples of Christ, act as light when we share Christ’s teachings with the world. They serve as a guide that illuminates the path to peace. This is done more by example than by words, though both forms of instruction are necessary. In this same Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches: “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (5:23–24).  When enemies are reconciled, a society becomes more united and more just.

Jesus exhorts us to let our light shine like “a city set on a hill.” What good is a light on a hill if it does not guide the traveler home? We, the disciples of Christ, are in the world to help everyone reach their true home with the Lord. Sadly, not everyone acts as if they want to arrive there. That does not matter. According to Jesus, we are here to illuminate the way to that home for all.

Friday, February 6, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

(Sirach 47:2-11; Mark 6:14-29)

Ten years ago, American filmmaker Martin Scorsese premiered his version of the persecution of Japanese Christians in the seventeenth century.  The film "Silence" depicts two European Jesuits who apostatize so that Japanese peasants are not tortured any longer.  Evidently Scorsese believed that apostasy can be good if done for an appropriate reason.

In fact, the Jesuits involved in the historical incident did not apostatize.  They, like St. Paul Miki and companions, whom the Church honors today, accepted martyrdom.  They knew that the world be better and that they would be judged favorably if they gave testimony to Jesus Christ as “the way, the life, and the truth.”

It is a terrible thing to die.  It is even more terrible to die young and after being tortured.  But it is far worse to betray Christ, our Lord, who himself suffered crucifixion to give humans eternal life.  No “appropriate reason” can turn something evil into something good. However, very good things will result when we endure evil for the sake of Christ.

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.