The Word today, 6B24
- Admin
- Feb 9, 2024
- 3 min read
February 12 - February 17, 2024
James 1:1-11 Our first reading from James (over two weeks) delights in paradoxes and directness. Are you experiencing trials? Do you need wisdom? Listen carefully!
Mark 8:11-13 Though not explicitly observed, we see in this reading the frustration, not to say the anger of Jesus. The Pharisees are looking for some kind of guaranteed evidence—this could be true of us today.
James 1:12-18 The gestation of sin is narrated—graphically and frighteningly. There is hope, however, in the next verse.
Mark 8:14-21 On its own, this passage is hard to read. The Gospel writer wants us to think again about the meanings (plural) of the two multiplications. Jesus is bread of life for both Jews and Gentiles — all are welcome!
Joel 2:12-18 The passage which opens the journey of Lent is an invitation, an invitation to come back to the Lord with all our heart. The whole community—all of us without distinction—is called to change of heart and life.
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Paul’s message insists on today, now, as the moment of conversion. The past is over and the future is not yet. All we have is the present moment: let us take hold of it with all our energy.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 There was a traditional triad in Judaism: almsgiving, prayer and fasting—all really good and necessary. That inherent good can be compromised by the desire for notice and approval. It is enough and more than enough that the Father who sees in secret sees our good deed done in secret.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Life is full of choices, minor and major. Today, we hear a major choice: life and prosperity or death and disaster. Such sharp alternatives are found also in the wisdom writings of the people, such as today’s Psalm 1. We know, of course, that things are often not quite so stark and clear. But even in the minor choices, we are implying greater choices and even a fundamental direction of life.
Luke 9:22-25 As usual, a prediction of the passion is joined to a teaching on discipleship. In this Gospel, the death of Jesus casts a long shadow, starting with the words of Simeon to Mary. The immediate context is the question to Peter: who do you say I am? Once we say who Jesus is, we find ourselves also saying who we are.
Isaiah 58:1-9 What is true fasting? What does God require of us? Isaiah does not mince his words. Sure fasting means to live your ordinary life with integrity and justice.
Matthew 9:14-15 It looks as if Jesus did not practice fasting (apart from the forty, symbolic days). Naturally, people wondered why not. In the later tradition, disciples did take up fasting and in our Gospel Jesus gives “permission” for that to happen.
The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order St Fintan, abbot
Isaiah 58:9-14 Continuing from yesterday, we are reminded that righteousness—right living from the inside out—is what God hopes for from us. If you listen carefully, this prophecy is strongly against violence of any kind.
Luke 5:27-32 Eating was always regarded as a kind of sacred fellowship, a kind of holy communion. Hence the shock of onlookers who saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinner, in effect, establishing communion with them.
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024p, February 11). Sixth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021124.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/
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