The Word today, 4C
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- Jan 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 15
February 03 - February 08, 2025
St Ansgar (Oscar), bishop St Blaise, bishop, martyr
Hebrews 11:32-40 At this point, the Letter to the Hebrews lionises the great heroes of old for their genuine virtues. Even so, they did not live to see the fullment of everything in Jesus — the blessedness of this generation.
Mark 5:1-20 This is a highly dramatic scene, with a bit of humour: the pigs request a stay of execution, which is what happens! The legendary feel to this story does not conceal the main purpose: evil will not have the last word.
Hebrew 12:1-4 The writer continues to reection the great heroes and offers us a moment of encouragement, so that we may not lose heart. The listeners have not yet been challenged in a nal way…
Mark 5:21-43 These two stories reect on each other: an old woman (with a gynaecological problem) is healed and a young woman (of child-bearing age) is brought back to life. Healing in the present can free up potential blocked somehow in the past.
St Agatha, virgin and martyr
Hebrews 12:4-7,11-15 How do we deal with difcult experiences, which can feel as if we are being punished? Today’s reading may help. Challenges are interpreted as God’s gift of the chance to grow — we know it doesn’t always feel like that!!
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 Paul Miki SJ and companions, martyrs
Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24 What is our point of arrival, the goal of our faith? The writer says rst what it is not before going on to say what it is. This is one of the most delightful passages in Hebrews, holding out to us not only a goal, but great joy in the journey.
Mark 6:7-13 Jesus empowers the twelve to undertake the very same ministry of proclaiming and healing. They are to travel light, taking nothing extra that might impede them and also taking the risk of being welcomed or not, as the case may be.
St Mel, bishop
Hebrews 13:1-8 Practical advice is the message today and always needed! Plenty to think about here. The last sentence both afrms and challenges.
Mark 6:14-29 At the hands of Mark, the death of John the Baptism foreshadows the destiny of Jesus. The arbitrariness of John’s beheading—to honour an oath spoken in a frivolous moment—is still shocking.
St Jerome Emilian, religious St Josephine Bakhita, virgin
Hebrews 13:15-17,20-21 Very ttingly, our readings from Hebrews come to a close with a great prayer for faithfulness, that we may be in our turn an acceptable offering to God. Amen!
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. (2025j, February 2). Feast of the presentation of the Lord. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/
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