SOCL, 04A

Sunday, February 01, 2026

See

Who doesn’t want to be happy? As St Augustine writes, “all persons want to be happy; and no persons are happy who do not have what they want.” (De beata vita 2.10) Augustine knows that it is not so simple: having what and how do we keep it so that we don’t lose it? The question really becomes what do I desire? In the final analysis, there is a hunger of the human heart for God, often recognised only slowly, and a hunger for goodness and virtue, also a slow conversion. In God, we find a source of happiness which nothing can take away; in virtuous living, chiefly seeking the good of others, we come to our true fulfilment and contentment.

Listen

Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13; Ps 146 (145); 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12

Reflect

(Matthew 5:1-12)

The blessings in the Beatitudes are primarily future blessings, but there can be an anticipation of the blessings in the present. At first reading some Beatitudes may seem to describe circumstances that you would like to avoid at all costs. Read them slowly. Stay with each one for a while. Let yourself get a sense of the paradox involved in each one. Perhaps you have had an experience of a deeper and more authentic life, a blessing, when… 1. You were poor - you knew your need of God. 2. You mourned – could feel for others. 3. You were meek – not emotionally out of control. 4. You hungered and thirsted for some cause. 5. You were merciful rather than vengeful. 6. You were pure in heart – a person of integrity, whose actions and intentions correspond. 7. You were a peacemaker. 8. You were persecuted because you stood for something.

Pray

O God, teach us the hidden wisdom of the gospel, so that we may hunger and thirst for holiness, work tirelessly for peace, and be counted among those who seek first the blessedness of your kingdom. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Word today, 04A

February 02 - February 07, 2026

Monday 02 February

The Presentation in the Temple

Malachi 3:1-4 This rather fierce prophecy was offered at a time of religious reconstruction after disaster. There is no mistaking the plain meaning that it is the leadership which is in need of purification.

Hebrews 2:14-18 As we can see from the stories of his birth, Jesus can help us because he is one of us. This closing of the gap with humanity makes him the ideal priest, mediating God’s grace to us all.

Luke 2:22-40 There are so few elderly people in the New Testament, that it is delightful to find such wonderful characters as Simeon and Anna, still full of faith in old age.

Tuesday 03 February

St Ansgar, bishop; St Blaise, bishop, martyr

2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30-19:3 This is one of the most moving stories in the entire Old Testament. Absalom has rebelled again his father, but David still mourned him as his son.

Mark 6:1-6 It is surprising to see Jesus unable to do anything, so this scene is certainly historical. We do can block the action of grace in our own lives.

Wednesday 04 February

2 Samuel 24:2,8-17 In the Bible, why would a census be a sin? Possibly because the people belong to God, not to the king. True to his character, David repents, but is punished all the same.

Mark 6:1-6 This remarkable story is surely historical because it shows the powerlessness of Jesus. It is also a hint to us: sheer familiarity can close our eyes and our hearts to what God is doing today through the Gospel.

Thursday 05 February

St Agatha, virgin and martyr

1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 The tumultuous career of David comes to a close and, as his death approaches, he has advice for Solomon, his son and successor.

Mark 6:7-13 Jesus empowers the twelve to undertake the very same ministry of proclaiming and healing. They are to travel light, taking nothing extra that might impede them and also taking the risk of being welcomed or not, as the case may be.

Friday 06 February

St Paul Miki and companions, martyrs

Ecclesiasticus 47:2-13 David’s status grew after the Exile in Babylon. Our reading today is a late Jewish reflection, which helps us to see how people viewed David just before the time of Jesus, himself a son of David.

Mark 6:14-29 At the hands of Mark, the death of John the Baptism foreshadows the destiny of Jesus. The arbitrariness of John’s beheading—to honour an oath spoken in a frivolous moment—is still shocking.

Saturday 07 February

St Mel, bishop

1 Kings 3:4-13 This scene is a key to Solomon’s reputation for wisdom. God’s makes a very open offer to Solomon and, significantly, he opts to the spiritual gifts, which would make him famous.

Mark 6:30-34 It is instructive to see that Jesus himself was aware of need to balance life and work, prayer and ministry. This is true of us all in our different roles. At the same time, Jesus felt compassion for the crowd and, in spite of his own need of rest and refreshment, actually responded to the need of the people.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2026j, February 1). Fourth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings

One another, 04A

February 01, 2026

Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13; Ps 146 (145); 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12

To God who welcomes all in love, let us pray for the good of the church and the concerns of those in need:

For the Church: that God’s Spirit will transform us and reverse the self-justification prized by our society so that we may walk humbly and find our strength in Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For all disciples: that we may recognize the Blessedness given to us by the Spirit and manifest it in our lives through loving sacrifice, deeds of justice, and words of compassion: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to be poor in Spirit: that we may recognize our poverty whenever God is not at the center of our life and decisions: let us pray to the Lord.

For all burdened by life, for refugees, the sick, and the unemployed: that God’s Word may reveal to them their blessedness and dignity: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who mourn: that they may know God’s presence this day and that we may stand with them and support them through their grief: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who feel guilt or remorse: that God will heal and renew their spirits so that they can live freely as God’s children: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for those who have been abused, unjustly imprisoned, suffered discrimination, and those who work to empower the marginalized: that the Spirit of God will guide their deeds and strengthen their spirits: let us pray to the Lord.

For peacemakers, for those who promote dialogue and understanding within families or between nations, racial groups, or gangs: that God will bless and make fruitful their efforts: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who show mercy, for those who care for the sick and elderly, and for those who assist those who are in need: that the face and love of God may continue to shine through them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who suffer for the sake of Christ, for those who live in communities that are hostile to Christians, for those imprisoned or persecuted because of the Gospel: that they may have courage and hope as they live the paschal mystery today: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are well born, educated, and influential: that we may place our gifts and talents in the service of God’s reign: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who minister in Catholic schools: that God will prosper their work and help them form young people in knowledge, virtue, and faith: let us pray to the Lord.

For greater respect for the balance within nature: that we honor the way in which God has created the world and be good stewards of it: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace in all places of violence: that God will open all hearts to new beginnings through ending violence between nations, on city streets, and within families: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died: that they may see God and live forever with all the saints: let us pray to the Lord.

God of every land and nation, you have created all people and you dwell among us in Jesus Christ. Listen to the cries of those who pray to you, and grant that, as we proclaim the greatness of your name, all people will know the power of love at work in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2026j, February 1). Fourth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.