February 1
Friday

3rd Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 S 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17

In the spring of that year, when kings usually set out to fight, David sent out Joab, his officers and all the Israelite troops. They slaughtered the Ammonites and attacked Rabbah, while David remained in Jerusalem.
One afternoon, David got up from his siesta and took a walk on the roof of the royal house. From the rooftop, he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful. David sent to inquire about the woman, and was told, "She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah, the Hittite." So David sent messengers to have her brought to him; and he had intercourse with her after she had cleansed herself after her monthly period. Then she returned to her house.
As the woman saw she was with child, she sent word to David, "I am with child."
David then sent a message to Joab, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." So Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah came, David asked him about Joab, how the people were and how the war was proceeding; ?then he told Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet."
Uriah left the palace and the king had a portion from his table sent to him. ?Uriah, however, did not go down to his house but slept by the door of the king's palace with all the servants of his lord. David was told that Uriah did not go down to his house, and he said to him, "Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?"
David invited him to table and he ate and drank until he was drunk. When evening fell, however, he went to lie down on his couch with the guards of his lord instead of going down to his house.
The next morning, David wrote Joab a letter to be taken by hand by Uriah, ?in which he said, "Place Uriah in the front row where the fighting is very fierce and then withdraw from him so that he may be struck down and die." ?When Joab was attacking the city, he assigned Uriah to a place which he knew was being defended by strong warriors. ?And the defenders attacked the men of Joab. Some of David's soldiers and officers were killed; Uriah the Hittite also died.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 51:3-4, 5-6a, 6bcd-7, 10-11
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Gospel Reading: Mk 4:26-34

Jesus said, "In the kingdom of God it is like this. A man scatters seed upon the soil. Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night, the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how. The soil produces of itself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when it is ripe for harvesting they take the sickle for the cutting: the time for harvest has come."
Jesus also said, "What is the kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it? It is like a mustard seed which, when sown, is the smallest of all the seeds scattered upon the soil. But once sown, it grows up and becomes the largest of the plants in the garden and even grows branches so big that the birds of the air can take shelter in its shade."
Jesus used many such stories or parables, to proclaim the word to them in a way they would be able to understand. He would not teach them without parables; but privately to his disciples he explained everything.

Commentary
The farmer will prepare the soil, protect the seedling as it grows and joyfully reap the harvest when it is ready, but God Himself provides the growth. Yes, the sun and the rain are necessary for the seed to grow, but the growth of every seed is a miracle of God.
The gift of life can be studied and managed, but life remains a gift. Jesus calls attention to living things in His parables because they can continue to teach us so very much about the power of God, the giver of life. May we be wise and prudent in our use of God's many gifts.

index calendar

February 2
Saturday

Presentation of the Lord

First Reading: Mal 3:1-4

Now I am sending my messenger ahead of me to clear the way; then suddenly the Lord for whom you long will enter the sanctuary. The envoy of the covenant which you so greatly desire already comes, says Yahweh of hosts. Who can bear the day of his coming and remain standing when he appears? For he will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching.
He will be as a refiner or a?fuller. He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. So Yahweh will have priests who will present the offering as it should be. Then Yahweh will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in former days.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10
Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Second Reading: Heb 2:14-18

And because all those children share one same nature of flesh and blood, Jesus likewise had to share this nature. This is why his death destroyed the one holding the power of death, that is the devil, and freed those who remained in bondage all their lifetime because of the fear of death.
Jesus came to take by the hand not the angels but the human race. So he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every respect, in order to be the High Priest faithful to God and merciful to them, a priest able to ask pardon and atone for their sins. Having been tested through suffering, he is able to help those who are tested.

Gospel Reading: Lk 2:22-32 (or 2:22-40)

When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought the baby up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to God. And they offered a sacrifice as ordered in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
There lived in Jerusalem at this time a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel, and he had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord. So he was led into the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law.
Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God, saying, "Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen your salvation, which you display for all the people to see.
Here is the light you will reveal to the nations and the glory of your people Israel."

Commentary
The elderly Simeon holds in his wrinkled hands the fulfillment of all of God's promises. The finite holds the infinite, the human cherishes the divine, the limited pays reverence to the eternal.
This beautiful passage is one to which we can relate, because the same Jesus whom Simeon cradled is the One who enters into our persons through the wonderful gift of the Holy Eucharist. What Simeon took into his arms is the same Jesus Christ whom we receive in Holy Communion. May we, like Simeon, always bless the Lord for so great a gift.

index calendar

February 3
Sunday

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Zep 2:3; 3:12-13

Seek Yahweh, all you poor of the land who fulfill his commands, do justice and are meek, and perhaps you will find refuge on the day Yahweh comes to judge.
I will leave within you a poor and meek people who seek refuge in God. The remnant of Israel will not act unjustly nor will they speak falsely, nor will deceitful words be found in their mouths. They will eat and rest with none to threaten them.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

Second Reading: 1 Cor 1:26-31

Brothers and sisters, look and see whom God has called. Few among you can be said to be cultured or wealthy, and few belong to noble families. Yet God has chosen what the world considers foolish, to shame the wise; he has chosen what the world considers weak to shame the strong. God has chosen common and unimportant people, making use of what is nothing to nullify the things that are, so that no mortal may boast before God. But, by God's grace you are in Christ Jesus, who has become our wisdom from God, and who makes us just and holy and free. ?Scripture says: Let the one who boasts boast of the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them:
Fortunate are those who have the spirit of the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fortunate are those who mourn, they shall be comforted.
Fortunate are the gentle, they shall possess the land.
Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.
Fortunate are those with a pure heart, for they shall see God.
Fortunate are those who work for peace, they shall be called children of God.
Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God. This is how this people persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

Commentary
Jesus singles out those who are persecuted for the cause of justice, and for good reason. Those who follow the Lord closely cannot help but to develop a good eye for spotting injustices in our world. The closer we are to the Body of Christ the more likely we are to recognize offenses against our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.
Standing up against oppression and injustice can put one at odds with the powerful of this world and can lead to persecution. Such is the fate of the One who Himself suffered persecution and death for standing up for the eternal salvation of our souls.

index calendar

February 4
Monday

4th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 S 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13

A messenger came to report to David that the Israelites were siding with Absalom. Then David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, "Let us flee, for we cannot resist Absalom. Go quickly, lest he come hurriedly and overtake us. Surely he will put the city to the sword if he can bring disaster upon us."
David himself went up the Mount of Olives, weeping. He was barefooted and had his head covered, and all the people who were with him had their heads covered and wept as they went.
When King David came to Bahurim, a man from the clan of Saul's family named Shimei, son of Gera, came out cursing him. He threw stones at David and his officers although the king's men and warriors flanked the king on the right and left. ?Shimei said as he cursed, "Go away! Go away! You bloodthirsty good-for-nothing! Yahweh has brought down on your head all the blood of the family of Saul. You became king in his place, but God has now placed the kingdom in the hands of your son Absalom. Ruin has come upon you because you are a bloodthirsty man."
Then Abishai, son of Zeruiah, said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go and cut his head off." ?But the king said, "Why should I listen to you, sons of Zeruiah? If Yahweh has ordered him to curse me, who shall ask him why he acts like this?" Then David said to Abishai and his officers, "If my own son wants to kill me, how much more this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me if Yahweh has ordered him to do so. Perhaps Yahweh will look on my affliction and turn to good things the curses heaped on me today." ?So David and his men went their way while Shimei, following on the hillside opposite him, continued to curse as he threw stones and flung dust at him.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Lord, rise up and save me.

Gospel Reading: Mk 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples arrived on the other side of the lake in the region of the Gerasenes. No sooner did Jesus leave the boat than he was met by a man with evil spirits who had come from the tombs. He lived among the tombs and no one could restrain him, even with a chain. He had often been bound with fetters and chains but he would pull the chains apart and smash the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. Night and day he stayed among the tombs on the hillsides, and was continually screaming and beating himself with stones.
When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell at his feet and cried with a loud voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? For God's sake I beg you, do not torment me." He said this because Jesus had commanded, "Come out of the man, evil spirit." And when Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" he replied, "Legion is my name, for we are many." And all of them kept begging Jesus not to send them out of that region.
Now, a great herd of pigs was feeding on the hillside, and the evil spirits begged him, "Send us to the pigs and let us go into them." So Jesus let them go. The evil spirits came out of the man and went into the pigs, and immediately the herd rushed down the cliff and all were drowned in the lake. The herdsmen fled and reported this in the town and in the countryside, so all the people came to see what had happened.
They came to Jesus and saw the man freed of the evil spirits sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the same man who had been possessed by the legion. They were afraid. And when those who had seen it told what had happened to the man and to the pigs, the people begged Jesus to leave their neighborhood.
When Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to stay with him. Jesus would not let him and said, "Go home to your people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you." So he went throughout the country of Decapolis telling everyone how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were astonished.

Commentary
Although the young man from whom Jesus had cast out the evil spirits wanted to follow Jesus, the Lord recognized that this particular young man could do infinitely more good by staying at home and telling others around him of the Lord's tender mercies.
There is no limit to the amount of good that each of us can do at home, in the domestic church that is the family, and in our schools, places of work, and with our circle of friends. "Telling everyone how much Jesus has done" is a worthy and honorable calling, one that is bestowed upon every follower of Jesus.

index calendar

February 5
Tuesday

4th Week in Ordinary Time
Agatha

First Reading: 2 S 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3

Absalom was riding a mule and happened to meet the guards of David. As the mule passed under the thick branches of a big oak tree, his head was caught in the oak tree and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule he was riding went its way. Someone reported to Joab, "I saw Absalom hanging from an oak tree."
Joab replied, "I will not waste time talking with you." So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom's heart while he was still alive in the oak tree.
David was sitting between the two gates. The watchman posted at the roof of the gate, on the wall, saw a man running alone. So he called out and reported to the king who said, "If he is alone, he brings good news."
So the king said, "Move away and stand here." He moved aside and stayed there.
The Cushite arrived and said, "Good news for my lord the king! Yahweh has done you justice today and saved you from all those who rebelled against you." The king asked the Cushite, "How is the young Absalom?" The Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rebel against you end up like that young man."
The king was greatly disturbed and, going up to the room over the gate, he wept and said, "O, my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
It was reported to Joab, "The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." So the victory that day turned into mourning for all the people, when they heard that the king was grieving over his son.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Listen, Lord, and answer me.

Gospel Reading: Mk 5:21-43

Jesus then crossed to the other side of the lake and while he was still on the shore, a large crowd gathered around him. Jairus, an official of the synagogue, came up and seeing Jesus, threw himself at his feet and asked him earnestly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her so that she may get well and live."
Jesus went with him and many people followed, pressing from every side. Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a lot at the hands of many doctors and had spent everything she had, but instead of getting better, she was worse. Since she had heard about Jesus, this woman came up behind him and touched his cloak thinking, "If I just touch his clothing, I shall get well." Her flow of blood dried up at once, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her complaint.
But Jesus was conscious that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" His disciples answered, "You see how the people are crowding around you. Why do you ask who touched you?" But he kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, aware of what had happened, came forward trembling and afraid. She knelt before him and told him the whole truth.
Then Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace and be free of this illness."
While Jesus was still speaking, some people arrived from the official's house to inform him, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further?" But Jesus ignored what they said and told the official, "Do not fear, just believe." And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house, Jesus saw a great commotion with people weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus entered and said to them, "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep."
They laughed at him. But Jesus sent them outside and went with the child's father and mother and his companions into the room where the child lay. Taking her by the hand, he said to her, "Talitha kumi!" which means: "Little girl, get up!"
The girl got up at once and began to walk around. (She was twelve years old.) The parents were astonished, greatly astonished. Jesus strictly ordered them not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.

Commentary
The bleeding from which the woman suffered would cause her to be anemic and sluggish. She could feel her very life force being slowly drained from her each and every day. She was tired and she was hopeless, having spent everything on useless treatments. Then Jesus enters her life and makes all the difference. The source of life restores her to health, and she feels an immediate difference.
If that poor woman was able to find healing by touching only the hem of His cloak, think of the power of the Lord's Body and Blood.

index calendar

February 6
Wednesday

Ash Wednesday

First Reading: Jl 2:12-18

Yahweh says, "Yet even now, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning. Rend your heart, not your garment. Return to Yahweh, your God-gracious and compassionate."
Yahweh is slow to anger, full of kindness, and he repents of having punished.
Who knows? Probably he will relent once more and spare some part of the harvest from which we may bring sacred offerings to Yahweh, your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion, proclaim a sacred fast, call a solemn assembly.
Gather the people, sanctify the community, bring together the elders, even the children and infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his bed, and the bride her room.
Between the vestibule and the altar, let the priests, Yahweh's ministers, weep and say: Spare your people, Yahweh. Do not humble them or make them an object of scorn among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples: Where is their God?
Yahweh has become jealous for his land; he has had pity on his people.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 51:3-4, 5-6a, 12-13, 14 and 17
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Second Reading: 2 Cor 5:20-6:2

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."[a] I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Gospel Reading: Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples, "Be careful not to make a show of your righteousness before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven. When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be seen in the synagogues and in the streets in order to be praised by the people. I assure you, they have been already paid in full.
"If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.
"When you pray, do not be like those who want to be seen. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept secret will reward you.
"When you fast, do not put on a miserable face as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face, so people can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already. When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for your Father who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept secret will reward you."

Commentary
"You are dust and unto dust you shall return." These sober words, accompanied by the imposition of ashes upon our heads, mark the beginning of our personal journey into the Lenten season. It is a time of conversion: turning away from sin and turning toward the Lord Jesus.
This is the most important Lent that you will ever face. Now is the time to put aside whatever keeps you from the Lord. Now is the time to open the door to a deeper relationship with Jesus through the sacraments of the Church.

index calendar

February 7
Thursday

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

First Reading: Dt 30:15-20

See, I set before you on this day life and good, evil and death. I command you to love Yahweh, your God and follow his ways. Observe his commandments, his norms and his laws, and you will live and increase, and Yahweh will give you his blessing in the land you are going to possess. But if your heart turns away and does not listen, if you are drawn away and bow before other gods to serve them, I declare on this day that you shall perish. You shall not last in the land you are going to occupy on the other side of the Jordan.
Let the heavens and the earth listen, that they may be witnesses against you. I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life that you and your descendants may live, ?loving Yahweh, listening to his voice, and being one with him. In this is life for you and length of days in the land which Yahweh swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 9:22-25

Jesus said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life."
Jesus also said to all the people, "If you wish to be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me. For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it, and if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it. What does it profit you to gain the whole world while you destroy or damage yourself?"

Commentary
There is urgency in the words of Jesus in today's Gospel. We know neither the day nor the hour when our time on earth will end. And at the end of this life comes the time to render an account for how we have lived. The Lord will ask each of us, "What did you do with all of the time that I gave you? What did you do with all of the opportunities I gave you? How did you treat the people I put in your life?"
Lent is a season to ponder what our honest answers would be if we had to face those questions today. Lent is also a time to make necessary changes in our lives.

index calendar

February 8
Friday

Friday after Ash Wednesday
Jerome Emiliiani / Josephine Bakhita

First Reading: Is 58:1-9a

Thus says the Lord Yahweh:
Cry out aloud for all you are worth;
raise your voice like a trumpet blast;
tell my people of their offenses,
Jacob's family of their sins.
Is it true that they seek me
day after day, longing to know my ways,
as a people that does what is right
and has not forsaken the word of its God?
They want to know the just laws
and not to drift away from their God.
"Why are we fasting," they complain,
"and you do not even see it?
We are doing penance and you never notice it."
Look, on your fast days you push your trade
and you oppress your laborers.
Yes, you fast but end up quarreling,
striking each other with wicked blows.
Fasting as you do
will not make your voice heard on high.
Is that the kind of fast that pleases me,
just a day to humble oneself?
Is fasting merely bowing down one's head,
and making use of sackcloth and ashes?
Would you call that fasting,
a day acceptable to Yahweh?
See the fast that pleases me:
breaking the fetters of injustice
and unfastening the thongs of the yoke,
setting the oppressed free
and breaking every yoke.
Fast by sharing your food with the hungry,
bring to your house the homeless,
clothe the one you see naked
and do not turn away from your own kin.
Then will your light break forth as the dawn
and your healing come in a flash.
Your righteousness will be your vanguard,
the Glory of Yahweh your rearguard.
Then you will call and Yahweh will answer,
you will cry and he will say, I am here.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19
A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Gospel Reading: Mt 9:14-15

The disciples of John came to Jesus with the question, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast on many occasions, but not your disciples?"
Jesus answered them, "How can you expect wedding guests to mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? Time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, then they will fast."

Commentary
Fasting is a classic Lenten penance. We limit our intake of certain foods on some days, and we give up certain foods altogether during the forty days of Lent. We do so neither to lose unnecessary extra pounds, nor to prove our fortitude. We go hungry during Lent because our Lord went hungry for us. He went without food and drink from the time of the Last Supper until the resurrection, eschewing even the sponge soaked with hyssops offered to Him upon the cross.
We fast in solidarity with the Lord, and with that part of the Body of Christ that is less fortunate than ourselves. May we not be guilty of grumbling about our fasting.

index calendar

February 9
Saturday

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

First Reading: Is 58:9b-14

Thus says the Lord:
Then you will call and Yahweh will answer,
you will cry and he will say, I am here.
If you remove from your midst the yoke,
the clenched fist and the wicked word,
if you share your food with the hungry
and give relief to the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the dark,
your night will be like noon.
Yahweh will guide you always
and give you relief in desert places.
He will strengthen your bones;
he will make you as a watered garden,
like a spring of water
whose waters never fail.
Your ancient ruins will be rebuilt,
the age-old foundations will be raised.
You will be called the Breach-mender,
and the Restorer of ruined houses.
If you stop profaning the sabbath
and doing as you please on the holy day,
if you call the sabbath a day of delight
and keep sacred Yahweh's holy day,
if you honor it by not going your own way,
not doing as you please
and not speaking with malice,
then you will find happiness in Yahweh,
over the heights you will ride triumphantly,
and feast joyfully on the inheritance of your father Jacob.
The mouth of Yahweh has spoken.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

Gospel Reading: Lk 5:27-32

Jesus noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax-office, he said to him, "Follow me." So Levi, leaving everything, got up and followed Jesus.
Levi gave a great feast for Jesus, and many tax collectors came to his house and took their place at table with the other people. Then the Pharisees and their fellow teachers complained to Jesus' disciples, "How is it that you eat and drink with tax collectors and other sinners?" But Jesus spoke up, "Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. I have come to call to repentance; I call sinners, not the righteous."

Commentary
Repentance is a word that means a conversion or a change of one's mind and heart. The Lord calls each of us to examine our lives during this season of Lent, and to make clear, concrete decisions to start living differently. We will not begin to pray more fervently without taking the time to do so. We cannot take the time to pray unless we stop spending time on something else.
Until one believes that prayer is the most important thing in his or her life, that person will never find the time to pray. How does your schedule need to change?

index calendar

February 10
Sunday

1st Sunday of Lent

First Reading: Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7

Then Yahweh God formed Man, dust drawn from the clay, and breathed into his nostrils a breath of life and Man became alive with breath. God planted a garden in Eden in the east and there he placed Man whom he had created. Yahweh God caused to grow from the ground every kind of tree that is pleasing to see and good to eat, also the tree of Life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Now the serpent was the most crafty of all the wild creatures that Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say: You must not eat from any tree in the garden?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden, but of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden God said: You must not eat, and you must not touch it or you will die." The serpent said to the woman, "You will not die, but God knows that the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil."
The woman saw that the fruit was good to eat, and pleasant to the eyes, and ideal for gaining knowledge. She took its fruit and ate it and gave some to her husband who was with her. He ate it. Then their eyes were opened and both of them knew they were naked. So they sewed leaves of a fig tree together and made themselves loincloths.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 31:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Second Reading: Rom 5:12-19

Therefore, sin entered the world through one man and through sin, death, and later on death spread to all humankind, because all sinned. As long as there was no law, they could not speak of disobedience, but sin was already in the world. This is why from Adam to Moses death reigned among them, although their sin was not disobedience as in Adam's case-this was not the true Adam, but foretold the other who was to come.
Such has been the fall, but God's gift goes far beyond. All died because of the fault of one man, but how much more does the grace of God spread when the gift he granted reaches all, from this unique man Jesus Christ. Again, there is no comparison between the gift and the offense of one man. The disobedience that brought condemnation was of one sinner, whereas the grace of God brings forgiveness to a world of sinners. If death reigned through the disobedience of one and only one person, how much more will there be a reign of life for those who receive the grace and the gift of true righteousness through the one person, Jesus Christ.
Just as one transgression brought sentence of death to all, so, too, one man's good act has brought justification and light to all; and as the disobedience of only one made all sinners, so the obedience of one person allowed all to be made just and holy.

Gospel Reading: Mt 4:1-11

At that time, the Spirit led Jesus into the desert that he be put to the test by the devil. After spending forty days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry.
Then the devil came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, order these stones to turn into bread." But Jesus answered, "Scripture says: one does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city, set him on the highest wall of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for scripture says, God has given orders to his angels about you. Their hands will hold you up lest you hurt your foot against a stone." Jesus answered, "But scripture also says: You shall not put to the test the Lord your God."
Then the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the nations of the world in all their greatness and splendor. And he said, "All this I will give you, if you kneel and worship me." Then Jesus answered, "Be off, Satan! Scripture says: worship the Lord your God and serve him alone."
Then the devil left him, and angels came to serve him.

Commentary
Jesus experienced the temptation to act in ways that were self-centered, ways that would call attention to Himself or make His life here on earth one of ease and comfort. Jesus' rejection of these temptations points to His clear understanding of and desire to carry out the will of His heavenly Father.
During these days of Lent may we be conscious of the temptations that we face every day, most of which would have us be less authentic in the living out of our calling. May our self-denial and prayer lead us to a greater conformity to the person of Jesus.

index calendar

February 11
Monday

1st Week of Lent
Our Lady of Lourdes

First Reading: Lev 19:1-2, 11-18

Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, ??"Speak to the entire assembly of the people of Israel and say to them: Be holy for I, Yahweh, your God, am holy.
Do not steal or lie or deceive one another. Do not swear falsely by my name so as to profane the name of your God; I am Yahweh.
Do not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning. You shall not curse a deaf man nor put a stumbling block in the way of the blind; but you shall fear your God; I am Yahweh.
Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor nor bow to the great; you are to judge your neighbor fairly so as not to share in his guilt. Do not go about as a slanderer of your people and do not seek the death of your neighbor; I am Yahweh.
Do not hate your brother in your heart; rebuke your neighbor frankly so as not to share in his guilt. Do not seek revenge or nurture a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am Yahweh.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Gospel Reading: Mt 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on the throne of his Glory. All the nations will be brought before him, and as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, so will he do with them, placing the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
The King will say to those on his right: 'Come, blessed of my Father! Take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me into your house. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to see me.'
Then the good people will ask him: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food; thirsty and give you drink, or a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to see you?' The King will answer, 'Truly, I say to you: whenever you did this to these little ones who are my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.'
Then he will say to those on his left: 'Go, cursed people, out of my sight into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you did not give me anything to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you did not welcome me into your house; I was naked and you did not clothe me; I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
They, too, will ask: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, naked or a stranger, sick or in prison, and did not help you?' The King will answer them: 'Truly, I say to you: whatever you did not do for one of these little ones, you did not do for me.'
And these will go into eternal punishment, but the just to eternal life."

Commentary
The decisions we make today have eternal consequences. Decisions to extend to others our kindness, courtesy and compassion will not be forgotten by the Lord who judges our souls. Neither will go unforgotten those decisions to be cruel, inconsiderate, and vengeful.
The Lord puts into our lives every day less fortunate than ourselves: people who are hungry for our attention, thirsty for someone to listen to them patiently, a stranger from the closeness of family and friends, naked of self-esteem, sick from the prevailing climate of immorality. Jesus tells us that He is to be found in these people, as needy and demanding as they might be. Look carefully into the eyes of the poor person you encounter today, and you will see the Lord.

index calendar

February 12
Tuesday

1st Week of Lent

First Reading: Is 55:10-11

Thus says Yahweh:
As the rain and the snow come down
from the heavens and do not return
till they have watered the earth,
making it yield seed for the sower
and food for others to eat,
so is my word that goes forth out of my mouth:
it will not return to me idle,
but it shall accomplish my will,
the purpose for which it has been sent.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19
From all their distress God rescues the just.

Gospel Reading: Mt 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples, "When you pray, do not use a lot of words, as the pagans do, for they hold that the more they say, the more chance they have of being heard. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need, even before you ask him.
"This, then, is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven,
holy be your name,
your kingdom come
and your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today the kind of bread we need.
Forgive us our debts
just as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
Do not bring us to the test
but deliver us from the evil one.
"If you forgive others their wrongs, your Father in heaven will also forgive yours. If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive you either."

Commentary
St. Augustine said that there is not a single prayer in the entire Bible that is not also to be found in the Our Father. With just four sentences, Jesus teaches us how to pray for a lifetime.
We pray to "Our" Father. We are united in our prayer with our brothers and sisters across the world, as well as with the souls in purgatory and the saints of heaven. The "Our Father" of a person going to work, or a student studying for an exam, or a mother holding a sick child in her arms might seem to be a silent prayer. In reality, it echoes across the globe and into eternity. Though we pray personally, we never pray alone.

index calendar

February 13
Wednesday

1st Week of Lent

First Reading: Jon 3:1-10

The word of Yahweh came to Jonah a second time: "Go to Nineveh, the great city, and announce to them the message I give you."
In obedience to the word of Yahweh, Jonah went to Nineveh. It was a very large city, and it took three days just to cross it. So Jonah walked a single day's journey and began proclaiming, "Forty days more and Nineveh will be destroyed."
The people of the city believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
Upon hearing the news, the king of Nineveh got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes. He issued a proclamation throughout Nineveh:
"By the decree of the king and his nobles, no people or beasts, herd or flock, will taste anything; neither will they eat nor drink. But let people and beasts be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call aloud to God, turn from his evil ways and violence. Who knows? God may yet relent, turn from his fierce anger and spare us."
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened upon them.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19
A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Gospel Reading: Lk 11:29-32

As the crowd increased, Jesus began to speak in this way, "People of the present time are evil people. They ask for a sign, but no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah. As Jonah became a sign for the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be a sign for this generation. The Queen of the South will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and here there is greater than Solomon. The people of Nineveh will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them, for Jonah's preaching made them turn from their sins, and here there is greater than Jonah."

Commentary
The word "prophet" means "one who speaks for another." The prophet Jonah had a powerful impact upon the people of Nineveh because he was speaking for God. Even the most sinful of the Ninevites did penance in atonement for sin.
Jesus is far greater than Jonah because he not only "speaks for" God, He is the Word of God made flesh, dwelling among us. During this Lenten season, may your daily reading of the Bible open your heart more and more to the Word of God who is Jesus Christ. May the Word find a dwelling place in your heart.

February 14
Thursday

1st Week of Lent
Cyril and Methodius

First Reading: Est 14:1, 3-5, 12-14

Seized with anguish in her fear of death, Queen Esther likewise had recourse to the Lord.
Then she prayed to the Lord God of Israel:
My Lord, you who stand alone, come to my help; I am alone and have no help but you. Through my own choice I am endangering my life.
As a child I was wont to hear from the people of the land of my forebears that you, O Lord, chose Israel from among all peoples, and our fathers from among their ancestors to be your lasting heritage; that you did for them, all that you have promised.
Remember us, Lord; reveal yourself in the time of our calamity. Give me courage, King of gods and master of all power. Make my words persuasive when I face the lion; turn his heart against our enemy, that the latter and his like may be brought to their end.
Save us by your hand; help me who am alone and have none but you, O Lord.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Gospel Reading: Mt 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples, "Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; and the door will be opened to him who knocks. Would any of you give a stone to your son when he asks for bread? Or give him a snake, when he asks for a fish? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
"So, do to others whatever you would that others do to you: there you have the Law and the Prophets."

Commentary
The Lord invites us to bring our needs to Him, and to rely upon His help throughout our lives. We never grow out of our need for the Lord.
Consider this day what you truly need in your life. What particular help do you need in order to follow the Lord more closely? An increase in the virtue of patience? A greater sense of solidarity with the poor and less fortunate? "Ask, and you will receive," Jesus tells us. Bring to the Lord this day in prayer the deepest desires of your heart, and trust that the Lord never leaves His faithful ones disappointed.

February 15
Friday

1st Week of Lent

First Reading: Ezk 18:21-28

Thus says Yahweh, "If the sinner turns from his sin, observes my decrees and practices what is right and just, he will live, he will not die. None of the sins he committed will be charged against him; he will live as a consequence of his righteous deeds. Do I want the death of the sinner?-word of Yahweh. Do I not rather want him to turn from his ways and live?
But if the righteous man turns away from what is good and commits sins as the wicked do, will he live? His righteous deeds will no longer be credited to him, but he will die because of his infidelity and his sins.
But you say: Yahweh's way is not just! Why, Israel! Is my position wrong? Is it not rather that yours is wrong? If the righteous man dies after turning from his righteous deeds and sinning, he dies because of his sins. And if the wicked man does what is good and right, after turning from the sins he committed, he will save his life. He will live and not die, because he has opened his eyes and turned from the sins he had committed.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you, then, that if you are not righteous in a much broader way than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to our people in the past: Do not commit murder; anyone who does kill will have to face trial. But now I tell you: whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face trial. Whoever insults a brother or sister deserves to be brought before the council; whoever calls a brother or a sister 'Fool' deserves to be thrown into the fire of hell. So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with him, and then come back and offer your gift to God.
"Don't forget this: be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court. Otherwise he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, who will put you in jail. There you will stay, until you have paid the last penny."

Commentary
Reconciliation is at the heart of the mission of Jesus. Our Lord's entire life is about saving us from the power of sin and leading us into the Kingdom of God.
As we have been reconciled to the Father through the blood of the Lord, so too are we to extend reconciliation and peace to others. Grudges have no place in the Kingdom. The challenge for every Christian is to let go of past hurts and to move forward in peace. It takes a big person to forgive. Through the grace of the Lord we have the capacity for reconciling differences and getting beyond present difficulties with others.

February 16
Saturday

1st Week of Lent

First Reading: Dt 26:16-19

On this day, Yahweh, your God, commands you to fulfill these norms and these commandments. Obey them now and put them into practice with all your heart and with all your soul.
Today Yahweh has declared to you that he will be your God, and so you shall follow his ways, observing his norms, his commandments and his laws, and listening to his voice.
Today Yahweh has declared that you will be his very own people even as he had promised you, and you must obey all his commandments. He, for his part, will give you honor, renown and glory, and set you high above all the nations he has made, and you will become a nation consecrated to Yahweh, your God, as he has declared.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples, "You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy. But this I tell you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good, and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust.
"If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much? For your part you shall be righteous and perfect in the way your heavenly Father is righteous and perfect."

Commentary
Jesus calls us to a higher standard of living than that of the world around us. In fact, He invites us to imitate Him in our daily living. Jesus goes the distance to show us His love, and so must we in showing His love to others. So often we show kindness to others only when it is convenient, or when it is in our best interest. Jesus beckons us to move beyond self-interest, and to embrace a higher way. The Lord has given us so much. As faithful stewards of the Lord's many gifts, let us resolve to give to others what we have received.

February 17
Sunday

2nd Sunday of Lent

First Reading: Gen 12:1-4

Yahweh said to Abram, "Leave your country, your family and your father's house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse, and in you all peoples of the earth will be blessed."
So Abram went as Yahweh had told him, and Lot went with him.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Second Reading: 2 Tim 1:8-10

Dear brothers and sisters, do your share in laboring for the Gospel with the strength of God. He saved us and called us-a calling which proceeds from his holiness. This did not depend on our merits, but on his generosity and his own initiative. This calling given to us from all time in Christ Jesus has just been manifested with the glorious appearance of Christ Jesus, our Lord, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light in his Gospel.

Gospel Reading: