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Sandstone Pattern

Daily Reflection

1 Samuel 15:16-23 Psalm 50 Mark 2: 18-22 In a rather confusing way in today’s gospel, Jesus begins to make it clear that things are about to change significantly. In our gospel today, the Pharisees are absolutely aghast that the disciples of Jesus were not fasting. Pharisees would generally fast two days a week as a way to seek forgiveness and out of piety. Jesus, though, was preparing to help everyone understand that it is not fasting in and of itself that will lead to the forgiveness of sins but rather, it was Jesus who would be the source of forgiveness. Jesus was replacing the old Mosaic Law of fasting with Himself. Jesus would show them that He is the way, the truth and the life. Fasting is important in building piety still today, but it is not an end unto itself when seeking forgiveness. Jesus wanted the Pharisees and the disciples of John to understand that the Law was being fulfilled through Him. Jesus does not say that fasting is bad, but keep it in perspective that it is through Him that true forgiveness of sin is achieved. We can get caught up in “doing” Catholic by completing rituals that are very important but completing rituals can’t be viewed as success in achieving our salvation. We are called to use our rituals to grow closer to Jesus. Getting to Confession is a big part of that. The humility that comes from seeking the forgiveness of the goofy stuff we did brings grace that enlivens our relationships with God and each other. When is the last time you went to Confession? It is a great day! Go smile at God today!

January 19

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In today’s Gospel we hear the Pharisees challenge the disciples of Jesus for eating the grain on the Sabbath. Their failure to know the true meaning of the “Law of the Sabbath” and recognize Jesus as the Son of Man provides valuable instruction for us. In referencing King David and his men eating of the priestly bread in their time of need, Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was given for our benefit, to refresh and renew us in living for God. It was intended for good and not for evil. Withholding mercy and kindness in response to human need was not part of God's intention that we rest from unnecessary labor. In their zeal for the ritual observance of the Law, the Pharisees were blind to God’s demand for kindness and mercy. More importantly, the Pharisees were unable to see that Jesus was indeed the Son of Man, the Messiah who would free them and all people from the tyranny of sin. Jesus, the Son of David, and the Son of Man, a title for the Messiah, declares that he is "Lord of the Sabbath." Jesus healed on the Sabbath and he showed mercy to those in need. All who are burdened and weary can find true rest and refreshment in him. Jesus is the eternal high priest. He will consecrate his Apostles on the night of the Last Supper as the priests of the New Covenant. At the Last Supper, Jesus will institute the New Passover that his Apostles, their successors, and their coworkers will celebrate on Sunday, the day of the New Sabbath. It will be a day that commemorates the Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. The New Sabbath is a day that looks forward to the Ultimate Sabbath, the consummation of history, when our Lord will return in glory. How do we approach Sunday, our new Sabbath? The Sabbath was made for us to be able to set aside time to worship God, thank him, and be in communion with him. Human beings were not made for slavery to the Old Law but for the freedom of the New Law. The Sabbath and its mandatory rest are not ends in themselves but signs that point to something greater. They point to the very purpose of creation, to our calling to share in eternal life. Today’s Questions for Prayer and Reflection How do I prepare for the Lord’s Day? Do I try to make it a day of family, worship, prayer, and rest? Source for today’s reflection: https:// https://epriest.com/reflections/view/3302

January 20

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Today’s Gospel completes the five “conflicts” Mark’s Gospel records between the Pharisees and Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. The setting of today’s conflict, within the synagogue on the Sabbath, has a significance to be explored in this reflection. The scribes and Pharisees wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God's law. In a few penetrating words Mark the Evangelist records that Jesus looked at them with anger, and grieved at their hardness of hearts (Mark 3:5). Jesus is angry because they were using their Jewish faith, and particularly the Law of Moses, for their own purpose rather than to give the people hope for a loving savior to come. He is grieving because they fail to recognize Him as that promised Messiah and fail to understand the New Covenant that is unfolding in their presence. The legal scholars and religious-minded Jews were filled with fury and contempt for Jesus because they put their own thoughts of right and wrong above God. They were ensnared in their own legalism because they did not understand or see the purpose of God for the Sabbath commandment (remember the Sabbath day - to keep it holy - Exodus 20:8).. Jesus shows their fallacy by pointing to God's intention for the Sabbath: to do good and to save life rather than to do evil or to destroy life (Mark 3:3). Since the time of the first Apostles, Christians have traditionally celebrated Sunday as the Lord's Day (Revelation 1:10; Acts 20:7; Luke 24:30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2) to worship together around the table of the Lord (the Eucharist or Lord's Supper) and to commemorate God's work of redemption in Jesus Christ and the new work of creation accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection. Jesus’ teaching today has significance in how we see Sunday, our Sabbath day of rest. Taking "our sabbath rest" is a way of expressing honor to God for all that he has done for us in and through Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer. It is a day to remember the New Covenant Jesus established for all who have faith, a covenant of love, mercy and sacrifice. Taking "our sabbath rest" is a way of expressing honor to God for all that he has done for us in and through Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer. Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection Do you honor the Lord in the way you celebrate Sunday, the Lord's Day? Source for today’s reflection: https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2026&date=jan21

January 21

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1 Samuel 18: 6-9; 19:1-7 Psalm 56 Mark 3:7-12 Need help? Just ask! In our gospel reading today, Jesus is well underway with His ministry and the people are beginning to see Him for who He really is – someone who can be counted on to help us whenever we need His help. The healing Jesus gave people was not random. Each miracle was intended to grow that soul closer to God in a loving relationship where people understand that God cares for them on a very personal basis. Today we celebrate the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. The greatest miracle we experience in this world is the miracle of life. Each and every baby that is conceived is a miracle and clear reflection of God’s great love for us. And yet, today we consider the demonic stuff done to destroy God’s children as something to be treasured as special and brave. That is just plain sad. The perverse way we value the unborn has crept its way into every aspect of life. Violence, shooting and killing people has become acceptable as a means of forcing one’s will on another. In her speech accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, Mother Teresa said “…the greatest destroyer of peace today is the cry of the innocent unborn child. For if a mother can murder her own child in her own womb, what is left for you and for me to kill each other?” We are called to treasure each life as a genuine gift from God, not something we get to choose to destroy. We have to treasure that unborn child and we can’t stop there – we need to care for the mother, father and the child after that baby is born. Are you someone who claims a woman has the right to choose? Spend time considering what you are really thinking. It is wrong. Simply wrong. Give God your prayer today with a great big smile!

January 22

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Our Gospel today recalls Jesus ascending a mountain and appointing the twelve men to be his Apostles. This was one of many “mountain top” experiences the Apostles would have with Jesus. When Jesus embarked on his mission he chose twelve men for the task of preaching the kingdom of God and healing the sick in the power of that kingdom. In the choice of the twelve, we see a characteristic feature of God's work: Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, who had no wealth or position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power. We may think that we don’t have much in common with the Apostles. But the most important thing for us to know is that Jesus chooses us first. He gives us the choice to follow Him, but He has already chosen us to be his disciples. We are chosen to be part of His mission to spread the Gospel to others. Like the Apostles, Jesus chooses us despite our personality or character flaws. He chooses us despite how we differ from other disciples. Imagine the apostles, having been chosen, looking at each other, and James and John turning to Andrew and asking, "Who's this Thaddeus guy?" They could well have been uneasy at rubbing shoulders with a reformed tax collector like Matthew, and a fanatical nationalist like Simon. We may have difficulties with the personalities and faults of other followers of Jesus. But they are chosen, with their faults, just as we are. When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not have doubts because we think that we have little or nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection Do you make your life an offering to the Lord and allow him to use you as he sees fit? Source for today’s reflection: https://epriest.com/reflections/view/3312

January 23

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The First Book of Samuel concluded with the defeat and death by the Philistines of the King of Israel, Saul, along with three of his four sons. In first reading today from the beginning of Second Samuel, David will receive this news. The Amalekite who brings David the news, due to the antagonism of Saul for David thinks to receive a reward from David by falsely claiming to have struck down Saul himself. Because Saul was “the Lord’s anointed” for which David had profound respect, David orders the messenger slain. David and his men will rend their garments and fast in mourning for Saul and for his son, Jonathon, David’s bosom friend. David will sing a song of lament for the two, which includes the memorable line ”…how the mighty are fallen…”. The brief Gospel passage from Mark takes place shortly after the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and immediately after his calling of his disciples. Jesus has returned home to Nazareth where a large group, presumably relatives and neighbors will gather troubled by and misunderstanding the zeal with which Jesus has pursued his ministry. This emphasizes the reaction that many of the Lord’s prophets experienced and will reoccur periodically during Jesus’ ministry (Mk 6:3).

January 24

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