February 6
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
First Reading
Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Brothers and sisters:
Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise,
that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have;
God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.
Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you.
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the Blood of the eternal covenant, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Alleluia
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
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.
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
Readings & Reflection
I hate being lost! Directions have never been one of my strong suits, as many of my friends have pointed out along the way… often along the wrong way.
Today we hear that those who were the followers of Christ are like lost sheep; they were in need of a shepherd to guide them and to comfort them. We too are like lost sheep! The difference is that we know our shepherd. Are we willing to respond to the call of the shepherd, Jesus?
As we approach the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, we need to recognize our shepherd for who he is. He will begin to guide us along a path that will lead to his death and resurrection. His actions will lead us into eternal life. Without the shepherd, we will surely remain lost.
Jesus will give his life for us. What cost are we willing to bear for Christ? Make no mistake; there is a cost to discipleship. The cost may be high, but discipleship is always worth that cost. We must remember that we do not bare that cost alone. We share it with those believers who surround us. We all will witness the Lenten journey. Let us all participate in that journey in such a way that we walk with Christ on that road to Calvary.
Peace,
Fr. John Kurgan
Read the story of Saint Paul Miki and Companions
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