The Word today, 4B24
- Admin
- Jan 26, 2024
- 2 min read
January 29 - February 03, 2024
2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30,16:5-13
David is found out and rightly condemned — he accepts the critique in a surprisingly humble manner.
Mark 5:1-20 This story is not without its humorous exaggeration, as the pigs request a “stay” of execution! The overall intent is deadly serious: the forces of evil are comprehensively destroyed.
St Aidan, abbot
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…
St John Bosco
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.
St Brigid, abbess, secondary patron of Ireland
There is a choice of first readings today.
Job 31:16-20, 24-25 The reading is offered because it reflects on generosity towards the needy, a key characteristic of St Brigid. It would be great if we could all say the same about ourselves!
Ephesians 3:14-21 This wonderful prayer is chosen to reflect the single-minded devotion to God and Christ which marked the life of St Brigid.
Mark 3:31-35 This reading can puzzle us. Is Jesus somehow rejecting his natural family? No, but he does use the occasion to affirm the new family of disciples, made up of all who not only hear the word but also put it into action in their lives.
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.
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 the need of rest and refreshment, actually responded to their need.
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024l, January 28). Fourth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012824.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/
Comments