4th Week: Jan 31st - Feb 5th

 Jan 31 Monday: (St. John Bosco, Priest

The context: Today’s Gospel episode demonstrates Jesus’ power over the devil in a Gentile town of the Decapolis, east of the Jordan, called Gadara (Matthew), or Gerasa (Mark and Luke). A demon-possessed man (two men in Matthew) came out of a tomb-filled desolate place.

5 Sunday C: You'll be Catchers of People

Michel DeVerteuil
General comments

The miraculous catch of fish was a historical event in the life of Jesus, but also a symbol of the deep conversion experiences which God grants us from time to time and which set us on a new course in our lives. These experiences usually occur at times when we feel we are stagnating – as spouses, parents, friends, church leaders, ministers, or managers in the workplace.

4th Week, Saturday, Feb 5th: Reflection & Liturgy

1 Kings 3:4-13 / Mark 6:30-34

God offers to bless Solomon: Solomon asked for an understanding heart.

4th Week, Friday, Feb 4th: Reflection & Liturgy

Ecclesiasticus 47:2-11 / Mark 6:14-29

Sirach eulogizes David: The Lord forgave him and exalted him.

4 Sunday C: Wanted - Prophets, Dead

Prophets comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable

4 Sunday C - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (See First Reading)

Before you were born, I knew you; I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. May the Lord Jesus be your strength and may he always be with you. R/ And also with you.

3rd Week: Jan 24-29

 Jan 24 Monday (St. Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor of the Church):

The context: Today’s Gospel passage gives Jesus’ crushing reply to the slander propagated by the observers from the Sanhedrin, that Jesus expelled devils using the assistance of the leader of devils.

Jan 26th: Indian Republic Day Celebration

 REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATION 

(You may want to add hymns, reflections, prayer for the nation and the leaders and martyred soldiers in between)

Hymn:

 Introduction: 

Leader: Today on 26th January (2022), India celebrates her 72nd   Republic Day. In capital Delhi, the main attraction of the Republic Day festival is the military and cultural parade to celebrate the implementation of the Indian Constitution in 1950. Prior to the celebration,

3rd Week, Friday, Jan 28th- Reflection & Liturgy

2 Sam 11:1-10, 13-17 / Mark 4:26-34

David sins: David compounded his sin.

3rd Week, Saturday, Jan 29 - Reflection & Liturgy

2 Sam 12:1-7, 10-17 / Mark 4:35-41 

Nathan confronts David: David acknowledged his sin.

3rd Week, Thursday, Jan 27th

2 Sam 7:18-19, 24-29 / Mark 4:21-25

David sits before the Lord: David prayed to the Lord.

Jan 25: Conversion of St. Paul: Reflection & Liturgy

Conversion of St. Paul: Reflection & Liturgy

Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22 / Mark 16:15-18 

Jesus instructs his disciples; “Proclaim the good news.” 

2nd Week, Saturday, Jan 22

 2nd Week, Saturday, Jan 22

2 Sam 1:1-4, 11-12, 17, 19, 23-27 / Mark 3:20-21

Jonathan is killed; David eulogized Jonathan and Saul.

3rd Sunday C: Mission of Jesus

This passage narrates an extremely important event: the reconstituting of the people of Israel after their return from exile. It was a new beginning for Israel.

2nd Week: Jan 17-22

 Jan 17 Monday (St. Anthony, Abbot): 

The context: Today’s Gospel passage gives Jesus’ reply to the question raised, perhaps by some well-meaning Pharisees, disciples of John the Baptist, asking why Jesus’ disciples ate and drank and feasted, while they (John the Baptist’s disciples), and the Pharisees in general, fasted and prayed. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving were the three cardinal religious practices — the “good deeds”– of Jewish religious life.

1st Week: Jan 10-15:

 1^st Week: Jan 10-15: 

Jan 10 Monday: 

The context: Today’s Gospel describes the beginning of Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry and the call of the apostles who were to continue that ministry.

2nd Sunday C - Wedding at Cana

Gospel reading: John 2:1-11 

January 8: Saturday after Epiphany

 January 8: Saturday after Epiphany

1 John 5:14-21 / John 3:22-30

God hears our prayers; We should pray for sinners.

January 10: 1st Week, Monday, Plus Liturgy

1 Samuel 1: 1-8; Mark 1:14-20
*Hannah is barren: Her rival made her burden heavier. *

Jay Kesler tells this story in his book Growing Places. Late one night he was walking down a street in India. A boy with no legs hobbled up on crutches and asked for money. Jay obliged him generously. Jay turned and continued his walk. He hadn’t gone ten steps when he heard a terrible racket.

January 14: 1st Week, Friday & Liturgy

1 Sam 8:4-7, 10-22 / Mark 2:1-12

The Israelites demand a king: God told Samuel to anoint a king.