February 4
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
First Reading
Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24
Brothers and sisters:
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said,
“I am terrified and trembling.”
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled Blood that speaks more eloquently
than that of Abel.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11
R. (see 10) O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”
the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God;
God makes it firm forever.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
O God, we ponder your mercy
within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Alleluia
Mark 1:15
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Give a Mass Offering
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
“O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.”
Readings & Reflection
Every time I go on a vacation, I consider what to bring along for the trip. Without fail, I determine to pack light, but upon my return, many of the items I had packed have remained unused, still secured safely in my suitcase. You may ask why I do not change my ways. I have no answer!
Today Jesus summons the Twelve and sends them on a mission. They are to take “no food, no sack, and no money in their belts.” They, in fact, are to live off the generosity of those whom they meet along the way. In reality, the only thing the Twelve are to take on the journey is another believer. Jesus sends them in pairs, not singularly, to carry forth his mission!
Jesus knew their journey would not be easy. He knew many would reject them, but he also knew that many would be saved because of their testimony. We hear that the Twelve “drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” We must never underestimate the power of God that is at work within those set forth by Christ. Do you underestimate your ability to change the lives of people because of your belief? Remember, Christ sends us all on a mission to those who are in need. How we respond to that missionary call will tell of our faith in Jesus.
Peace,
Fr. John Kurgan
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