Reflections on Daily Readings 2025
January 26th - February 22nd, 2025
January 26 – February 1, 2025
3rd week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle C; Weekday Cycle 1.
The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10; Psalm 18; 1Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21
In our first reading today from the Prophet Nehemiah, we see Ezra reading the Law to the people. They had assembled for the purpose of the reading of the Law so that they might know it and through it know how to serve their God in fidelity. As the Psalm tells us – “The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul.” In the gospel we read from the opening chapters to St Luke’s gospel in which he sets out why it is that he is writing the gospel. We also read of Jesus preaching in his home synagogue in Nazareth and telling the people that he is the fulfilment of the text. He came to bring the Good News to all peoples and he gave that message and mission to us. We do this by living according to the Law of God and by living as members of Christ’s mystical body here on earth.
In the second reading St Paul tells us that we are all parts of the one body which makes up the Body of Christ. For a body to function perfectly it needs all the parts to work together in harmony. So it is with the Body and family of Christ here on earth: if the Church is to grow and be the true presence of Christ on earth, then all of us must do our share for that body.
Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Hebrews 9:15, 24-28; Psalm 97; Mark 3:22-30
In our first reading from the letter to the Hebrews we are told that Christ offered himself for our sins. In Christ’s time the high priest made offerings in the sanctuary time after time to redeem the people, but Christ only had to do this once: he suffered only once for our sins. The next time Christ appears on earth it will be to bring the reward of salvation to the faithful and not to deal with sin, which has already been dealt with by Christ. In our Gospel text we see that Jesus has been casting out unclean spirits. The scribes believed that this was because he himself was Beelzebul – the prince of devils. But he tells them that if this were so then Satan would come to an end for a divided kingdom could never last. Christ can cast out spirits because he is greater than they and his authority is everlasting.
Hebrews 10:1-10; Psalm 39; Mark 3:31-35
We again read from Hebrews and about the Law of the Torah, which the Jews obeyed, but which did not win them life for they had to make sin offerings regularly. However, the law of Christ’s Gospel will win us life because we have been reconciled with God. If we live by the will of Christ then there will be no need for sin offerings because we will not sin. Today’s Gospel text is quite short and yet very profound. Jesus’ family come looking for him and those with him tell him this. In reply he tells them that those about him are his mother and brothers and sisters. Those who hear his message and follow it, obeying the commandment of love and avoiding sin, are the true family of Christ.
Memorial of St Thomas Aquinas, Priest & Doctor of the Church
Thomas was born in 1225 and was educated by the Benedictine monks of Monte Cassino before joining the Dominican Order. He spent his life teaching and writing in France and Italy and his two major works – the Summa Contra Gentiles and the Summa Theologica – are still studied today for the quality of their theology and philosophy. He died at the age of 49 while on his way to the second Oecumenical Council of Lyons in 1274. He is the patron saint of universities and schools.
Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Hebrews 10:11-18; Psalm 110; Mark 4:1-20
Speaking of the priests of his day, the author of the letter to the Hebrews tells us in today’s reading that the sin offerings they made were insufficient for taking sins away. Christ’s offering of himself on the other hand, is perfect and does redeem us, making us perfect in the eyes of God. No more sin offerings are necessary because all sins have been forgiven. Today’s Gospel text contains the story of the sower whose seed fell in various places. Some of the seed died, more of it produced a great crop. The seed, of course, is the word of God being planted in our hearts – in some people it will take root while in others it will be ignored. We are being challenged in this text to look closely at our own lives and our own response to God and we are asked to make a better effort in order to produce a harvest worthy of the redemption Christ won for us.
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Hebrews 10:19-25; Psalm 116; Mark 4:21-25
We are told in the first reading that now that our sins have been wiped away we can enter into the sanctuary ourselves. We do so through the door which is Christ himself. However, in order to be fit to enter, we are reminded that we must be pure and with a clear conscience. Our sins may have been washed away but we must still be on our guard and keep our souls spotless. Jesus tells his listeners in the Gospel that nobody lights a lamp and then hides it away: they light the lamp to give light to themselves and to others. The readings challenge us to realise that we too are like lamps – if we hide away our faith then the kingdom of God will not be seen. By letting others see that we are Christians we will be helping them to grow in the faith and we will also be making ourselves more worthy to enter the sanctuary.
Hebrews 10:32-39; Psalm 95; Mark 4:26-34
The Hebrews are reminded in today’s first reading that when they first accepted the Good News they suffered for it, but they got through the suffering. They are told that having come through this suffering they must still remain faithful even when there is nothing to challenge the faith. They must remain faithful for ever. In the Gospel we see that Jesus continues to use parables to teach the people. Today he tells them that the kingdom grows silently and without ceasing, just as seeds grow silently and constantly in the ground. From small beginnings, the kingdom will grow like the mustard seed which, being the smallest of all seeds, grows to be the biggest shrub of all. Both readings challenge us to keep watch over our soul and to strengthen our faith. If we live a life of faith then our own faith will grow and with it the kingdom of God and the faith of those around us.
Memorial of St John Bosco, Priest
Don Bosco was born in 1815 to a peasant family in Piedmont, Italy. After being ordained he established several boys’ clubs and schools in Turin which very quickly flourished. He was also well known for his preaching and fund raising skills and he built several churches. In 1854 he founded what became the Salesian Congregation to educate and look after boys, and with St Mary Mazzarello he founded the Daughters of Our Lady Help of Christians in 1872 to educate and look after girls. He died in 1888.
Feast of St Brigid, Virgin & Secondary Patron of Ireland
Brigid was born near Dundalk about the middle of the fifth century. She became a nun and founded a monastery in Kildare (for both men and women) and became known for her love of justice, for her compassion for the poor, and for the many miracles she worked. She was the spiritual mother of Irish nuns for many centuries and is often referred to as “Mary of the Gael” (Mary of the Irish). She died about the year 525.
Readings
Romans 12:3-13; Psalm 148; Mark 3:31-35.
St Paul reminds us in the letter to the Romans that each of us has been given a different grace or gift and that we should not boast about them. As the body must work as one, without one part being any better than another, so too the Christian community must work together as one for the good of the kingdom. The gospel text is quite appropriate for the feast we celebrate today for it tells us that those who do the will of God are truly the brothers and sisters of Christ. Brigid left us an example of this in her life in that she always did the will of God and placed Christ and others before her own needs.
February 2 – February 8, 2025
4th week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle C; Weekday Cycle 1.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas Day)
On this day we call to mind the presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple by his parents in keeping with the Law of Moses. This event is recorded in today’s the gospel. Today is also the formal end of the Christmas festival of light and the memorial of Christ’s birth. Today, candles are blessed and carried in procession as a sign of our welcoming Christ the Light into our lives. It is also a special day in the Church’s calendar when the Church prays for Consecrated Life – a life which is consecrated to God through prayer and service and which enriches and gladdens the Christian community. We also pray to God to help people to hear and answer his call and so consecrate themselves to the Lord.
Readings
Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 23; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40.
The reading from Malachi tells us that God will send his messenger to prepare the way and that, suddenly, the Lord himself will appear. This reminds us of John the Baptist’s preaching. In the second reading from the letter to the Hebrews, the author tells us that Christ had to become human in order to fully represent us before God the Father. In our gospel passage from St Luke, we see Mary and Joseph going to the Temple with the infant Jesus to be purified. There, they meet Simeon and also Anna who both speak of the child as being salvation for all the nations. Simeon praises God and says that he can now rest in peace for he has seen the Saviour. Though he was the Son of God and himself God, Jesus was still brought up in the faith and with respect for the Law of Moses.
Hebrews 11:32-40; Psalm 31; Mark 5:1-20
In our first reading from the letter to the Hebrews, the author speaks of some of the greatest heroes of the Jewish people – men who fought battles and conquered their enemies. He also speaks of the prophets who stood for the truth and did not flinch in the face of torture. Some were great warriors while others were weak but they all lived by faith, and because they had faith they achieved great things. In the Gospel, Jesus cures a demoniac by casting out the evil spirits that had possessed him. The spirits instead entered a herd of pigs and were killed. The people were amazed when they saw this but were also terrified and asked Jesus to leave their area. Both of our readings speak to us about faith. The first reading speaks of those who had faith and lived by it while the Gospel speaks of those who had little faith and did not want what faith they had to grow. Perhaps it was because they realised the conversion they would have to undergo if they were to become people of faith. We know what faith can do and what reward lies in store for us. We are given a choice – to be people of faith and enter heaven, or to be people who turn their backs on God, refusing to grow.
Memorial of St Blaise, Bishop & Martyr (Optional)
Very little about Blaise is known with great certainty though it would appear that he had been a bishop in Armenia and was martyred about the year 316. Throats are blessed because it is told that he saved the life of a boy in whose throat a fishbone had lodged. The blessing of throats today is a reminder to us of the Lord’s desire for us to be well and to remove suffering from our lives.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Hebrews 12:1-4; Psalm 22; Mark 5:21-43
Our extract from the letter to the Hebrews tells us today that having received the faith we should keep on believing and strengthening our faith. If we keep Jesus in mind then we will be able to do this for he too lived a life of faith. The life he lived is an example for us to follow, even if that means going to our death for the faith. Today’s Gospel text recounts two miracles for us. The first was the cure of the haemorrhagic woman who believed that she would be cured if she could even touch the hem of Christ’s cloak. The second is the restoring to life of Jairus’ daughter, because he had faith enough to ask for Christ’s help. Again today, our readings challenge us to look closely at our faith and to do what we can to strengthen it and live lives based on faith.
Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15; Psalm 103; Mark 6:1-6
We read in the letter to the Hebrews that the Lord reprimands his children when they go wrong but the punishment is not meant to destroy them but to purify and make them better in the future. We see in today’s Gospel how Jesus is ignored by his own neighbours because they thought they knew him. Because of their little faith he could work no miracles among them showing that if we really want to be better people we must believe in him and in the Good News. Our readings today call on us to be people of faith and to live by faith.
Memorial of St Agatha, Virgin & Martyr
The cult and veneration of Agatha goes back to earliest times though nothing is known of her life other than the fact that she was martyred in Sicily. She is among those named in the Roman Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I).
Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24; Psalm 28; Mark 6:7-13
According to the text of today’s first reading from the letter to the Hebrews, faith is leading us to something which we have never before experienced or could explain – it is leading us to our true homeland which is Mount Zion, the city of the living God. We are drawing closer to God himself because of our purification by the blood of Christ. In our Gospel text we see Jesus beginning to send out the disciples to teach in his name. If they are welcomed in a place they are to stay and teach but if they are rejected, they are to leave at once. We too are called to preach the word of God in our lives by what we do and say. In that way we will draw closer to God and to Mount Zion and will help to bring many others to him also.
Memorial of Ss Paul Miki & Companions, Martyrs
Paul was born in Japan between 1564 and 1566 and joined the Jesuits in 1580. Along with twenty-five other Christians – both religious and lay, Franciscans and Jesuits – he was tortured and martyred at Nagasaki in 1597.
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Hebrews 13:1-8; Psalm 27; Mark 6:14-29
The author of the letter to the Hebrews encourages us today to proclaim the Good News in our lives and to help others to draw closer to God. He also reminds us that Christ is unchanging – he is the same yesterday, today and for ever. Today’s Gospel recounts the beheading of John the Baptist because of a rash promise Herod had made to Herodias’ daughter. Again we are called to live by faith and to proclaim the Gospel in our lives. John the Baptist believed in God and gave his life for that belief.
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21; Psalm 23; Mark 6:30-34
As we conclude the letter to the Hebrews we are exhorted one last time to live according to the Gospel, obeying the leaders of the Church who are there to guide us towards God. In the Gospel, the disciples have returned from their preaching and curing and a huge crowd gathers. They go with Jesus to rest but the crowd follows them and Jesus begins to teach them. The readings call on us to live Christian lives but also to play our part in the spread of the Gospel.
February 9 – February 15, 2025
5th week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle C; Weekday Cycle 1.
The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 137; 1Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
In our readings last week we saw the Lord calling us to be his prophets. In today’s first reading we see Isaiah answering the Lord’s call and volunteering to be the Lord’s messenger to the people. At the same time, however, Isaiah acknowledges that he is not fit for this task for he is a sinner. The Lord then takes away his sin. In the gospel we see Jesus by the lake of Gennesaret where he meets Simon Peter, as well as the brothers James and John. They have been out all night and have caught nothing but, at Jesus’ command, they cast their nets again and net a huge haul of fish. Peter realises he stands before someone truly great and asks to be left alone for he is a sinner. Still Jesus calls him and they follow him. Last week we were called to be God’s prophets; this week we are reminded of those who answered that call and what it is that we are asked to preach. It is now for us to decide whether or not we want to answer the call and live up to the commitments which were made at our baptism and which we ourselves renewed last Easter. There is also a reminder that God knows our inmost being, he knows of what we are made and still he calls us.
In the second reading we see St Paul reminding the Corinthians, and ourselves, about the basis of the Christian faith. He recalls their basic beliefs about Jesus and the resurrection as he taught them and he reminds them of how unworthy he himself was for this important work.
Genesis 1:1-19; Psalm 103; Mark 6:53-56
Today we begin reading from the Book of Genesis and in today’s passage we read of the first four days of creation. The author is not presenting scientific truth but is writing the basic truth that God is the benign Lord of Creation who has a plan for us. The Psalm takes up the theme of creation and praises God for all that he has made. In our Gospel we read that Christ’s fame had spread throughout the countryside and that the people brought to him their sick whom he cured. God created everything there is and he holds all of it in view and so he is aware of our difficulties and the things that afflict us. Being so aware he is ready to help and heal us if we believe and call on him from our hearts.
Memorial of St Scholastica, Virgin
Scholastica was born in Umbria in the late fifth century and was the sister of St Benedict. She became a nun and eventually was prioress of her monastery near Monte Cassino which she ran under the direction and guidance of her brother. She died in 543 or 547.
Genesis 1:20-2:4; Psalm 8; Mark 7:1-13
Today we read of the conclusion of the seven days of creation and in the text we see that humans were the last to be created but they are also the jewel in the crown of God’s creation. Being last created we were also entrusted with the stewardship of the earth, to look after it on God’s behalf. The book is an important reminder about the role of God in creation and of the role of humans to rule over that creation in the way in which God intends. The Psalm praises God for his magnificent creation. In our Gospel text from St Mark we see Jesus at odds with the Pharisees who are being overly concerned with the Law. He admonishes them for clinging to human traditions while not being concerned with the law of God. We are challenged today to listen to the word of God and to carry out its precepts in our lives rather than being interested in what we ourselves want to do or in creating traditions to suit ourselves.
Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes (Optional)
In 1858, fourteen year old Bernadette Soubirous received a vision from Our Lady near the mountain village of Lourdes, in southern France. Initially, people refused to believe her but the apparitions continued. When Bernadette asked the Lady who she was she replied that she was the Immaculate Conception. In time the well and site of the apparition became a centre of prayer as people flocked to it to draw closer to Our Lady and in the hope of receiving a cure. Several miracles have taken place here. In recognition of this, Pope John Paul II named this particular day ‘World Day of the Sick’ in 1992. On this day, special liturgies may be celebrated which include the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17; Psalm 103; Mark 7:14-23
Today we read of the second account of the creation of man from the Book of Genesis and in it we see that the Lord provided man with every good thing in the garden but forbade him to eat of one tree only – all else was his to taste. Our Gospel passage for today is a continuation of yesterday’s in which Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees because his disciples did not purify themselves before eating. His answer to them is that what goes in to a person does not make them unclean – all food is clean. It is what is inside their hearts and minds which makes them unclean and prone to do the wrong thing. This was difficult for the Jews of the time to hear and we know from elsewhere in the New Testament that St Peter himself had to receive a vision before he too preached the same thing. We are all aware of our shortcomings and the image of Adam in the garden reminds us of what we can be and what we must strive for.
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 2:18-25; Psalm 127; Mark 7:24-30
Today we read of the creation of woman from the second creation account and we see that woman was created as a helpmate for man who was his equal and whose qualities complemented his. It was also the author’s way of emphasising that marriage is between one man and one woman in happiness. In our Gospel we see a Syrophoenician woman coming to Jesus because her daughter was possessed. Because she was a pagan Jesus told her that the believers had to be helped first but she reminded him that there was plenty of room for everyone at his table. Because of her faith in Christ’s powers her daughter was cured which also reminds us that there are plenty of people who may not belong to our Church but who still have faith and are welcome in the Kingdom. We are to keep in mind that we were created to live together in harmony, helping each other to fulfil our potential no matter what our creed or colour.
Feast of St Cyril, Monk & St Methodius, Bishop, Patrons of Europe
These two brothers were born about the year 825 in Salonika, were educated at Constantinople, and are regarded as the apostles of the southern Slavs to whom they preached the Gospel. In 863 they were sent as missionaries to Moravia. In 869 Cyril died in Rome but his brother was consecrated bishop and went back to Moravia and Pannonia (Hungary) with permission to use the Slavonic language in the liturgy. The Slavonic translation of the Bible is attributed to them. He was opposed by the German bishops and was for a time imprisoned. Methodius died in 885.
Readings
Acts 13:46-49; Psalm 116; Luke 10:1-9
These two men are responsible for bringing the Good News to those who spoke the Slavonic language in the ninth century. Like Saints Paul and Barnabas in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, they proclaimed the message to those who had not heard the story of Christ and our salvation and in doing so they did as the seventy-two did in going out ahead of the Lord (St Luke). The response to the Psalm sums up their mandate – “Go out to the whole world, proclaim the good news.” Our gospel text from St Luke sees Jesus sending out the seventy-two in pairs to preach and heal in his name just as Cyril and Methodius did in their time. As they responded to the Lord’s mandate so too we are challenged to follow their example and spread the Good News.
Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 3:9-24; Psalm 89; Mark 8:1-10
The first reading tells us of the expulsion of man and woman from the Garden of Eden because they disobeyed God’s command and lost his divine friendship. In the Gospel we see Jesus feed the multitude with a few small fish and some loaves. This is in contrast to the first reading where Adam and Eve were forced to till the ground and fend for themselves. God wants us to be with him but we can only be with him if we live life according to the Gospel values. The Gospel is also a reminder that we must always help those who are in need from whatever we may have, no matter how little.
February 16 – February 22, 2025
6th week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle C; Weekday Cycle 1.
The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalm 1; 1Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26
In our first reading today from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah we are reminded that we must always place our trust in God. While in life we have to trust in our fellow men and women – and this is a good thing – ultimately, we must place our trust first and foremost in God because there is only so much our fellow men and women can do for us while God can give us eternal life. This theme is continued in the Psalm. In the gospel, we have St Luke’s account of the Beatitudes – Christ’s great blueprint for living as recounted by Luke. In all that is done or suffered, it is God who grants the reward, not man. All of this comes to pass because Christ has been raised from the dead.
In the second reading from the first letter to the Christians at Corinth, we are reminded that Christ’s resurrection doesn’t simply have an impact in this life but in eternal life. So too, trusting in man can only be for this life while trusting in God and living according to the Beatitudes and the gospel precepts brings eternal life to all.
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 4:1-5, 25; Psalm 49; Mark 8:11-13
In today’s reading from the Book of Genesis we see Adam and Eve now exiled from the Garden of Eden. They start a family and Eve gives birth to Cain and Abel – the former tilled the land while the latter became a shepherd. We are told that Abel prospered more than Cain and that this ultimately led to Cain slaying his younger brother. God punishes Cain for his sin but promises to punish even more those who might take Cain’s life. At the end of the reading, Eve gives birth to her third son – Seth. In the Gospel, Jesus is again in conflict with the Pharisees because they, after all that they had seen, still demanded a sign from Christ if they were to believe. If we are waiting for a sign before we believe then we will never have faith. We are reminded to always keep watch over ourselves and never allow envy or resentment to rule our actions because God sees all.
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10; Psalm 28; Mark 8:14-21
The first reading from the Book of Genesis tells us of God’s disappointment with man and woman who had drifted further and further from him and so he resolves to wipe them from the earth by means of a great flood. Only Noah and his family would be left to repopulate the earth. In the Gospel Jesus warns his disciples not to be taken in by the sweet words of Herod and the Pharisees who no longer faithfully worship God but order the people for their own ends. The two readings remind us that our faith must be pure and must be based on God’s word. If we live according to his word then we will know what the right way to act is and we will act accordingly if we believe.
Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22; Psalm 115; Mark 8:22-26
In the first reading we read of the end of the Flood and of Noah’s sacrifice of thanksgiving to God. The Psalm continues the theme of thanksgiving. In the Gospel we see Jesus cure a blind man who gradually begins to see and this reminds us that faith grows over time and in time we accept the Lord more and more. We are reminded to give thanks to God for all that we have received in life no matter how trivial it may seem but also remembering to thank him for the gift of life itself. Faith grows over time but we must work at it all the time.
Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 9:1-13; Psalm 101; Mark 8:27-33
God makes a covenant with Noah in our first reading from Genesis and uses the words he used in forging the original covenant with Adam and Eve. He sets the rainbow in the sky as a reminder of that covenant, though few people make that connection anymore. In the Gospel from St Mark, Christ tells the disciples that he is to suffer grievously which upsets Peter who tries to prevent the Lord from going to Jerusalem. He is admonished for this by Christ even though – moments before – he made his great profession of faith with the words ‘You are the Christ.’ Christ is the eternal covenant which surpasses all covenants and is eternal. We are called on to have faith in him as did St Peter and to say with him every day – “You are the Christ.”
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 32; Mark 8:34-9:1
In our final reading from the Book of Genesis we see how the people have strayed from the covenant and in their pride are trying to be as powerful as God by building a tower which would reach up to heaven. In their arrogance, God destroys the tower and confuses the people by giving them different languages so that they could no longer understand each other. Jesus warns us in the Gospel of the futility of trying to win this world when in fact we should be striving to secure our place in heaven. Only those who follow Jesus truthfully and with a sure heart will enter the kingdom and their true inheritance.
The Feast of the Chair of St Peter
This feast has been observed in Rome since the fourth century. It celebrates the unity of the Church under the papacy and the readings recall Christ’s choice of Peter as the rock on which he would build the Church.
Readings
1Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 22; Matthew 16:13-19
In his first letter, St Peter tells us how he himself exercised his authority through a pastoral letter to those who were responsible for looking after the faithful. In the passage Peter speaks of his being a witness to the sufferings of Christ – reminding his readers that he was present with the Lord and knew the human Christ. This letter also tells us how he implores all elders to be true shepherds to those entrusted to them by the Lord and to be perfect examples of living witnesses to the Gospel. As Peter was the chief shepherd of the flock after Christ, the Psalm for today reminds us that the Lord is the true Shepherd. The gospel passage from St Matthew shows Peter being appointed as leader of Christ’s Church following his great proclamation of faith in Christ. While he was leader of the fledgling group he is also a powerful symbol of unity for the Church which continues right down to this day.
