The Word today, 05A
- Admin
- Feb 7
- 2 min read
February 09 - February 14, 2026
1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 The setting of the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies completes the dedication of the Temple. As often, the imagery of cloud—revealing and concealing—conveys the presence of God. Notice the lack of any graven images.
Mark 6:53-56 The Gospel of Mark is told in an urgent, breathless style. Today we hear one of those compressed summaries, capturing the popularity of Jesus among the sick.
St Scholastica, virgin and religious
1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30 Every religion has somehow to manage or negotiate the nearness of God (immanence) and the beyond of God (transcendence). Solomon gets it right, in this moving prayer.
Mark 7:1-13 Before we plunge into a condemnation of the shallowness of the Pharisees, it is worth remembering that the rules were designed to bring an experience of God’s presence into the everyday. Of course, they could become obsessive and pointless—features not unknown in the churches’ various devotions! Jesus is sharp in his response, but not any more sharp than any of the prophets of old.
Our Lady of Lourdes
St Gobnait, virgin
1 Kings 10:1-10 Finally, the famous queen of Sheba visits to sample the wisdom of Solomon— which she (rightly) attributes to God.
Mark 7:14-23 This Gospel reflects an important moment for early Christianity. Although tied to a historical context, the principles are timeless. It is what is on the inside which counts.
1 Kings 11:4-13 Under the guise of a prophetic judgment, the reading offers a broader “reading” of Israelite history: idolatry has disastrous consequences.
Mark 7:24-30 This story has always appealed — perhaps even more today. Jesus learns — at the hands of a woman!
1 Kings 11:29-32,12:19 This rather mysterious reading illustrates something familiar: frequently the prophets demonstrate their teaching with an action or a gesture, as in this reading.
Mark 7:31-37 A phrase from this Gospel has found its way into our baptismal ceremony. The priest touches the ears and mouth of the baby and says “ephphatha”. Today we get the context. We too can pray that our ears may be opened to the Gospel and that our mouths may be opened to proclaim it.
Sts Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop, Patrons of Europe
Acts 13:46-49 Our reading is suitable for the feast because it shows us the motivation of two apostles, as they turn to the Gentiles. Cyril and Methodius were likewise apostles to the Slav peoples.
Luke 10:1-9 The sending of the seventy-two was an extension of ministry of Jesus which anticipated the wider sending to the Gentiles in the Acts of the Apostles. It is, therefore, very suitable for the feast. We too today are called to take the Gospel beyond our own circles and, in the current phrase, beyond our comfort zones.
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2026l, February 8). Fifth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020826.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings
Comments