Wednesday 2/1 (2 Sam 24:2, 9-17; Mk 6: 1-6)
Is Jesus amazed at my disbelief? Does my lack of faith prevent him from doing all he desires to do in and through me? Maybe we, like David will have to learn the hard way. May we listen and learn and grow in faith!
Thursday 2/2 The Presentation of the Lord (Mal 3: 1-4; Heb 2: 14-18; Lk 2: 22-40)
“And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek.” And he keeps coming to the temples we are. On the good days we are like Simeon and Anna. We recognize his coming. But he comes whether we are aware of it or not. Let us pray that like Simeon, the Holy Spirit will be upon us and like Anna, we will speak about the Child to all whose lives we touch.
Friday 2/3 (Sir 47: 2-11; Mk 6: 14-29)
Such a sad story of human pride and weakness of character! How different the picture painted of David. And yet, David knew times of serious weakness. You and I are not likely to have anyone’s head cut off or send someone to his or her death! At least not actually…. Think about it!
Saturday 2/4 (1 Kgs 3: 4-13;Mk 6: 30-34)
“They had no time for leisure…” Sound familiar? Jesus is not just referring to play time here. He also means leisure to be with HIM! Why? So that we can learn to ask as Solomon asked of the Lord, “Give me an understanding mind - able to discern between good and evil.”
2/5 Fifth Sunday (Job 7: 1-4, 6-7; 1 Cor 9: 16-19, 22-23; Mk 1: 29-39)
Job recognizes how hard human life can be. It gets even harder if we fail to see, or if we forget, our mission. We do need to get away at times but, like Jesus and Paul, we must realize that we have an obligation to proclaim the message.
Monday 2/6 (1 Kgs 8: 1-7, 9-13; Mk 6: 53-56)
The Lord dwells even in thick darkness, the darkness of sickness and aging and war and sin. But always there is a way to touch him and be healed!
Tuesday 2/7 (1 Kgs 8: 22-23, 27-30; Mk 7: 1-13)
Solomon wanted God’s presence in the place he, Solomon, chose. At the same time he acknowledged that God could not be contained in any one place. His struggle was not unlike the one that often takes place between human tradition and God’s commands. So we pray: “Hear the plea of your servant.” Best that we not qualify that prayer so as to let God be God!
Wednesday 2/8 ( 1 Kgs 10: 1-10; Mk 7: 14-23)
If Solomon’s wives and servants were blessed to hear his wisdom, how much more we who hear the wisdom of Jesus! So listen carefully to his question today: “What comes from YOUR heart?”
Thursday 2/9 (1 Kgs 11: 4-13; Mk 7: 24-30)
The lesson seems clear: Never fail to act out of your love and commitment to a person. Rather, be bold. On the other hand, we should not allow our love for another to turn us from God.
Friday 2/10 St Scholastica (Song 8: 6-7; 2 Cor 10: 17-11: 2; Lk 10: 38-42)
Nothing can quench love. It is a burning seal on the heart. Jesus speaks to us as he must have often spoken to Scholastica: Sit at my feet and listen to all that I have to share with you.” To do so will make for a HAPPY FEAST DAY and a happy life.
Saturday 2/11 (1 Kgs 12: 26-32, 13: 33-34; Mk 8: 1-10)
Jeroboam got it right. If we continue to go to the house of the Lord, our hearts will turn to our God and we will be able to do great things for him. No matter how little we have, Jesus can multiply it to nourish the crowd!
2/12 Sixth Sunday (Lev 13: 1-2, 44-46; 1 Cor 10: 31 – 11:1, Mk 1: 40-45)
Jesus longs to say to each of us, “I do choose!” What might that be? Paul warns us that it is not about seeking our own advantage. All of us have some form of leprosy. What is unclean in me that needs cleansing? Ask for that healing and hear Jesus say, “I do choose!”
Monday 2/13 (Jas 1: 1-11; Mk 8: 11-13)
So you don’t have to be Irish to want a sign! However, James makes it clear that it isn’t a sign we need, it’s wisdom which gives us endurance that, in turn, makes us mature and complete! LORD, GIVE US WISDOM!
Tuesday 2/14 (Jas 1; 12-18; Mk 8; 14-21)
“Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and fail to see? The question is addressed to each one of us. James says that God gave us birth by the Word. Answer these questions in the light of that revelation.
Wednesday 2/15 (Jas 1: 19-27; Mk 8: 22-26)
James tells us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. But sometimes it doesn’t work the first time. Follow the example of Jesus and try again!
Thursday 2/16 (Jas 2: 1-9; Mk 8: 27-33)
How can we be sure that we have set our minds on the divine and not the human? James has the best answer: let love guide you!
Friday 2/17 (Jas 2: 14-24, 26; Mk 8: 34 - 9:1)
How to follow Jesus? Be committed to your faith and the works of charity and justice that flow from it.
Saturday 2/18 (Jas 3: 1-10; Mk 9: 2-13)
How good are we at seeing Jesus? Or at letting Jesus be seen in us? “All of us make mistakes,” James reminds us. And all of us struggle to improve. That’s really all that matters… that we continue to try.
2/19 Seventh Sunday (Is 43: 18-19, 21-22, 24b-25; 2 Cor 1:18-22; Mk 2: 1-12)
For many reasons folks find themselves unable to reach Jesus. But it’s not because God doesn’t want to be reached! The question for each of us today is a profound one: Am I standing in the way of others getting to Jesus or am I seeking creative and loving ways to get them to him?
Monday 2/20 (Jas 3: 13-18; Mk 9: 14-29)
Not a good idea to approach Jesus with “If you are able…” Of course he is able. The question is OUR faith. Are we able to accept his abilities? Let us embrace the wisdom from above that directs us gently and wisely.
Tuesday 2/21 (Jas 4: 1-10; Mk 9: 30-37)
We all fuss and argue at times and suffer little jealousy attacks. But James says it’s because we aren’t happy with ourselves. His antidote? “Draw near to Christ and he will draw near to you.” And then we will have the insights we need to live at peace with our own limitations.
Ash Wednesday 2/22 (Joel 2: 12-18; 2 Cor 5: 20-6: 2; Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18)
Now is the acceptable time to return to the Lord with all our hearts. There is no room for ostentation. What we do happens in our hearts and God, who sees in secret, will reward us with a deeper intimacy with him! That’s what Lent needs to be about; drawing closer to the heart of our Lord. As you receive the ashes today, promise to take up your life and live it more intimately with Jesus.
Thursday 2/23 (Dt 30: 15-20; Lk 9: 22-25)
Surrender your life to Jesus! He wants everything; the tears, the laughter, the pain, the joy, the good times and the not so good times. All of your life! That’s what Lent is all about.
Friday 2/24 (Is 58: 1-9a; Mt 9: 14-15)
Maybe it isn’t fasting we need to embrace but, rather, the efforts to recognize the bridegroom among us. If we do this, we will understand the challenge of Isaiah; to free those in bonds, to share our bread, to shelter the homeless, to clothe the naked. Those things are a lot harder than “giving up” milk shakes, or whatever!
Saturday 2/25 (Is 58: 9b-14; Lk 5: 27-32)
Why does Jesus eat and drink with us? Because we need him! And even if we stop pointing fingers and speaking evil, the Lord will continue to satisfy our needs for the nourishment that makes us strong: His body and blood.
2/26 First Sunday of Lent (Gen 9: 8-15; 1 Pt 3: 18-22; Mk 1: 12-15)
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the Good News.” Here we have both the agenda and the motivation for Lent. All we need do is LIVE it!
Monday 2/27 (Lev 19: 1-2, 11-18; Mt 25: 31-46)
How shall we be holy? Jesus tells us. Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, take care of the sick, visit the imprisoned. That’s a real Lenten agenda!
Tuesday 2/28 (Is 55: 10-11; Mt 6: 7-15)
The Word of God is planted in our hearts. So, like Jesus, we may pray: Our Father…
Wednesday 2/29 (Jonah 3: 1-10; Lk 11: 29-32)
“The word of the Lord came to Jonah…” That same word comes to us. Jonah is a sign for us to teach us to listen and obey God’s will.
