The Word today, 3C
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- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 15
January 27 - February 01, 2025
St Angela Merici, virgin
Hebrews 9:15, 24-28 The reading answers a question: was the death of Jesus, once for all, sufcient or must it be repeated? His death was the one, all-perfect act of obedience which fullled the previous Temple sacrice and abolished it.
Mark 3:22-30 It can still shock that some of Jesus contemporaries proposed he was doing the work of the evil one. The thinking may have been like this: he is doing powerful deeds, but we do not believe he comes form God. Therefore…!
St Thomas Aquinas, religious and doctor
Hebrews 10:1-10 The blood offerings of the Temple are replaced by Jesus’ offering of his obedience and faithfulness. In this reading we see an important reception of Jesus’ own faithfulness towards his Abba.
Mark 3:31-35 Our reading can feel a little unsettling because it sounds like Jesus is dismissing his family, including his mother. However, it is really an afrmation of discipleship.
Hebrews 10:11-18 One of the ways in which Jesus’ offering surpasses Temple sacrice is that his offering does not need to be repeated: it was once for all. His offering does not need to be repeated because it was both spiritual (not external) and complete (not partial).
Mark 4:1-20 This long reading can be tricky. The original parable is given rst, a parable from the lips of Jesus. The later explanation of the parable comes from church tradition, a kind of allegorical reading. The allegory narrows the original meaning of the parable. In between, the question of the disciples is difcult. It seems to be answering a later issue: how was that that most of Jesus’ fellow Jews did not recognise him as the Messiah?
Hebrews 10:19-25 In today’s reading we are invited to follow the example of Jesus in giving himself. The blood here is not to be understood as a payment but rather stands for the whole person of Jesus. Just as he paved the way wholeheartedly, we are called to a no less wholehearted response.
Mark 4:21-25 It may help to recall that in those days a lamp was a naked ame. Putting it under a bed would not be advisable at all! The enigmatic second saying is presented as a shocking contrast. It should read, “from the one who thinks he has (but really does not), even what he thinks he has will be taken away. It is a stern wakeup call.
St John Bosco, religion
Hebrews 10:32-39 When others fall away, it can be tempting to copy our contemporaries. But, says the writer, remember that all who went before us suffered too for the faith. Discipleship is no cheap grace.
Mark 4:26-34 A further few seed parables illuminate the Gospel. The parable of the farmer asleep is especially encouraging: just let things grow. Cf. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. (1Corinthians 3:6).
St Brigid, abbess, patron of Ireland
Job 31:16-20,24-25,31-32 The reading is chosen because it reects 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 react the single-minded devotion to God and Christ which marked the life of St Brigid.
Luke 6:32-38 In these simple instructions, a whole sale of life is portrayed, leading to deep living and even deeper happiness.
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025h, January 26). Third Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012625.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/
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