The Word today, Baptism

January 13 - January 18, 2025

Monday 13 January

St Hilary, bishop and doctor

Hebrews 1:1-6 The rst four verses of this reading are really the introduction to Hebrews. It is a very rich opening, and nearly every word could be reected upon. The claims made about Jesus, a Galilean prophet executed by the Romans, are breath-taking.

Mark 1:14-20 We start today a fresh reading of the Gospel of Mark: may God gives us a listening heart to hear it afresh today! After the great cycle of feasts, the writer takes us back to the core proclamation of Jesus and the foundational calling of the rst disciples.

Tuesday 14 January

Hebrews 2:5-12 Who was / is Jesus? In the words of the Eucharistic Prayer IV, Made incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, he shared our human nature in all things but sin.

Mark 1:21-28 Jesus speaks (and acts) always from within, from the inside, so to speak, of his own authority.

Wednesday 15 January

St Ita, virgin

Hebrews 2:14-18 Today, we hear a great teaching from Hebrews: Jesus is able to help us because he become one of us. In this teaching, there is both hope and consolation.

Mark 1:29-39 Our Gospel reminds us of the sources of Jesus authority and spirituality: his own practice of prayer. Out of the prayer comes his willingness to proclaim the good news to everyone.

Thursday 16 January

St Fursa, abbot and missionary

Hebrews 3:7-14 Conversion, as we know, is ongoing. Using Ps 95 as background, the writer reminds us, in the words of St Paul, that now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation! (2 Cor 6:2).

Mark 1:40-45 The compassion of Jesus is both immense and immediate. The leper inspires us to recognise our need of God.

Friday 17 January

St Antony of Egypt, abbot

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11 A threatening note enters our reading from Hebrews: those who left Egypt did not enter the promised land. Just to have made a start, even a good start, does not guarantee arrival!!

Mark 2:1-12 This Gospel passage is really about us: we too are carried by others; we too have our sins forgiven; we too learn to walk again in the light of Gospel.

Saturday 18 January

Hebrews 4:12-16 Two-edged means really very sharp and penetrating. The opening phrase is often quoted - perhaps we can check it against our experience!

Mark 2:13-17 Our story is meant to be provocative on several levels: Jesus goes to the “wrong” people and, even worse, insists he was not sent to the conventionally holy who may not really know their need of God.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025c, January 12). The Baptism of the Lord. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011225.cfm

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