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GOD HEALS US IN THE MIDST OF OUR SUFFERING.

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  Tuesday of week 4 in Ordinary Time  2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30-19:3 Psalm 85(86):1-6 Mark 5:21-43 DAVID GRIEFS   In 2 Samuel, we see David’s grief over his son Absalom’s death in battle. Absalom, David’s third son, was estranged, fighting for his enemies. His long hair caught in a tree allowed soldiers to kill him. When told of Absalom’s death, David grieves intensely, lamenting: “My son Absalom! My son…” JAIRUS GRIEFS  A synagogue official, Jairus, begs Jesus to heal his dying 12-year-old daughter. Jesus immediately goes with him.  A WOMAN’S GRIEF  On the way, a woman with chronic hemorrhage for twelve years touches Jesus’ cloak, hoping for relief. She feels healed instantly. Jesus senses power leaving him and asks, “Who touched my clothes?”The woman, trembling, kneels; Jesus affirms her faith: “Daughter, your faith has saved you.” Jairus’ daughter is dead, but Jesus says she is sleeping. He takes her hand and says, “Arise.” She wakes and walks. The...
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  The Presentation of the Lord  - Feast   Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 23(24):7-10 Luke 2:22-40 Today marks the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, 40 days after his birth, when Mary and Joseph presented him, symbolized by turtle doves, as prescribed by law. This act echoes Leviticus 12:8, where turtle doves replace a lamb sacrifice. Love and faithfulness, attainable in any vocation through obedience to God, bring wisdom of heart. Simeon, who had been promised he would see the Messiah, recognized Jesus as salvation and proclaimed him a light to the nations (Luke 2:21-32). This is often said at compline to entrust our lives to God before we sleep.  The feast also celebrates Mary’s purification, a Jewish ritual of reverence for birth. All need spiritual cleansing from sin, which only Jesus can provide. The Gospel concludes with Jesus growing in wisdom and God's favor (Luke 2:40). In 1997, Pope John Paul II established a day of prayer for those in consecrat...
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  4th Sunday in Ordinary Time  Zephaniah 2:3,​3:12-13 Psalm 145(146):6-10 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 5:1-12a Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.   Today's gospel consists of a short but very concentrated passage of teaching by our Lord, coming in Matthew's gospel almost at the beginning of His public ministry. Indeed, it was just in the previous chapter that we had Christ's temptations in the desert, the start of His teaching, and the call of the first of His disciples. But already, great crowds are following Him, attracted by His message, by His authority, and, of course, by His ability to cure the sick. The work He was doing closely matched what the Old Testament prophesies said were signs of the Messiah, and so many were attracted to that possibility.   The first verse of our gospel reading today tells us that Jesus went up on the mountain. I am sure that you remember that in the book of Exodus, God's law was revealed to Moses on Mount...
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  Saint John Bosco, Priest  2 Samuel 12:1-7,​10-17 Psalm 50(51):12-17 Mark 4:35-41 In the Gospel, Christ calms the sea and asks the Apostles, “Why are you terrified?” and “Do you not yet have faith?” By this point, they’ve witnessed miracles and heard parables about the Kingdom of God. These questions stem from their disappointment and confusion, perhaps because they weren’t paying attention or didn’t understand. As ordinary fishermen, tax collectors, and farmers, they were distracted or lacked understanding, only grasping the message after Pentecost. Today’s Gospel ends with them still trying to figure it out, awe-struck by Jesus’ power. The spiritual life is a journey of reflecting on how God helps us. What questions is Christ asking you? What do you want to ask Him? Have you figured it out? 
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KEEP GROWING IN FAITH

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  Friday of week 3 in Ordinary Time  2 Samuel 11:1-4,​5-10,​13-17 Psalm  50(51):3-7,10-11 Mark 4:26-34 In today’s Gospel, Jesus employs the metaphor of the mustard seed to illustrate the gradual development of faith. The mustard seed possesses the potential to grow into a large tree, providing a resting place for birds of the air. Faith matures through quiet, humble patience. Do you permit God’s word to cultivate fruitfulness in your life? Let us, therefore, recommit ourselves daily to embody the virtues of faith, patience, charity, wisdom, and humility.  
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What message do you have to share from God's light today?

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  Thursday of week 3 in Ordinary Time  2 Samuel 7:18-19,​24-29 Psalm 131(132):1-5,11-14 Mark 4:21-25 In today’s gospel, Jesus warns against hiding a lit lamp under a bushel, basket, bed, cellar, or secret place (hiding it under the bed seems especially dangerous). Mark 4:21; Matthew 5:15; Luke 8:16; Luke 11:33. Today's reading from Mark suggests we should place our lamp so it illuminates all around us. We must let Christ's light shine in our lives, guiding us with wisdom, peace, and hope. Those who stay in darkness have nothing but more darkness, unable to see hope. Choosing to remain away from God, who is light, keeps us buried in sin, but God tries to reveal our faults to bring us into His light. The decision to accept or reject this is ours. Studying God’s word—not just to memorize but to gain His infinite wisdom—helps us understand how to live by biblical stories of good people. This exposes us to a bright light that cannot be extinguished, illuminating others around us. W...
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Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor  2 Samuel 7:4-17 Psalm 88(89):4-5,27-30 Mark 4:1-20 Today we celebrate Saint Thomas Aquinas, an influential Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church. His teachings combine scholarly work with practical advice on virtues like prudence, wisdom, and humility. He advises listening willingly, seeking diligently, responding prudently, and meditating attentively to grow in wisdom. Aquinas emphasizes knowing when to speak and when to keep quiet, highlighting humility as vital for living a Christian life. We often find it easier to be impetuous, dismiss wiser advice, and cling to pride rather than admit faults and seek forgiveness. Wisdom and humility strengthen us, as expressed in scripture: ‘I prayed, and prudence was given me,’ and ‘Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.’ Let us daily renew our commitment to these virtues. Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!
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