The Word today, 5B24
- Admin
- Feb 2, 2024
- 2 min read
February 05 - February 10, 2024
St Agatha, virgin and martyr
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 Paul Miki and companions, martyrs
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.
St Mel, bishop
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.
St Jerome Emilian or St Josephine Bakhita
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.
St Scholastica, virgin
1 Kings 12:26-32,13:33-34 This story should sound familiar: it is a another version of the golden calf. The setting up of another sanctuary splits the people of Israel.
Mark 8:1-10 To hear this familiar story in a fresh way, it may help to notice that it is Jesus who identifies the needs of his followers. Sometimes, we fail to notice our own deeper needs — to be met in Christ.
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024n, February 4). Fifth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020424.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/
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