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.
4th Week, Thursday, Feb 3rd
1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 / Mark 6:7-13
David gave advice to Solomon: David dies
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.
2 Sam 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30 - 19:3 / Mark 5:21-43
Absalom is killed: David mourned his son.
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.
REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATION
(You may want to add hymns, reflections, prayer for the nation and the leaders and martyred soldiers in between)
Hymn:
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,
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
2 Sam 1:1-4, 11-12, 17, 19, 23-27 / Mark 3:20-21
Jonathan is killed; David eulogized Jonathan and Saul.
2nd Week, Friday, Jan 21: Reflection and
Liturgy
1 Sam 24:3-21 / Mark 3:13-19
David spares Saul’s life: David respected Saul’s role as king.
2nd Week, Thursday, Jan 20: Liturgy and
Reflections
1 Sam 18:6-9; 19:1-7 / Mark 3:7-12
Saul plots to kill David: Jonathan saved David’s life.
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, Wednesday: Jan 19: Reflection & Liturgy
1 Sam 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 / Mark 3:1-6
David demonstrates courage: David defeated Goliath.
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:
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.
1 Sam 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1 / Mark 2:13-17
God chooses Saul as king: Samuel anointed Saul.
January 8: Saturday after Epiphany
1 John 5:14-21 / John 3:22-30