Reflections on the Daily Readings 30th January 2022
Monday 31st January
Memorial Of John Bosco Celebrating a lovely education
Saint John Bosco, a 19th-century Italian priest, was an educator ahead of his time. He understood the power of positive reinforcement long before modern psychology came along—and he applied this theory to teaching poor kids who had rough lives. His method? Quite simply, love. Rather than punish kids, he was kind. During Catholic Schools Week, offer a prayer of thanks for the educators who nurtured you through your formative years. Whether you went to Catholic schools or not, those special teachers were reflecting Christ’s love back to you. Remember how their good works shaped the Christian you are today.
Today's readings: 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Mark 5:1-20 (323).
“Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
Tuesday 1st February
Catholic education for a better world
We encourage schools to today recognise students’ accomplishments—but also have them embrace the “grounding in faith, knowledge, and service” a Catholic education provides. In a June 2021 address to Latin American Catholic schools, Pope Francis expands this vision even more. He urges “welcoming schools” that “do not retreat into a selfish elitism, but that learn to live together with everyone . . . knowing that everything is connected.” His wish? That “schools have conscience and create conscience.” Pray for all Catholic students today.
Today's readings: 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30—19:3; Mark 5:21-43
“The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded.”
Wednesday 2nd February
Feast Of The Presentation Of The Lord Comfort food for the soul
Mexican American neighborhoods will be filled with the sweet aroma of warm tamales today, served because of a special connection this day has to January 6, the Epiphany. On Epiphany, La Rosca, a cake in the shape of a crown, is shared by family and friends in honor of the Magi, a.k.a., the three kings. The person who finds a small figure of Jesus hidden in their slice of cake is tasked with throwing a tamale party today, the day the infant Jesus is presented at the Temple. Welcome Jesus to your table today.
Today's readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22- 40
“When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.”
Thursday 3rd February
Lift up her voice
Servant of God Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, O.S.P., died on this day in 1882. Born into a well educated family of means in the Caribbean, she immigrated to Baltimore in the early 1800s as a free black woman in a slave state. Seeing the need for education among her fellow Caribbean immigrants, she taught out of her home, opened a school in 1828, took first religious vows a year later, and founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence. Mary Elizabeth and her fellow sisters devoted themselves to works of mercy and social reform, working with communities of color facing poverty, racism, and the degradations of slavery. Nearly 200 years later, the order’s work continues strong, as does the canonization process for this remarkable woman. Let Mary Elizabeth’s example inspire you to respond to injustice with courageous compassion.
Today's readings: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; Mark 6:7-13
“The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.”
Friday 4th February
Invest your humanity
On this Friday of Catholic Schools Week, Pope Francis offers supportive words for Catholic educators. “To educate is an act of love, it is to give life. And love is demanding, it calls for the best resources, for a reawakening of the passion to begin this path patiently with young people. The educator in Catholic schools must be, first and foremost, competent and qualified but, at the same time, someone who is rich in humanity” and able to promote spiritual growth. For this, Francis said in 2014, “it is necessary to invest.” How can you help support Catholic educators today?
Today's readings: Sirach 47:2-11; Mark 6:14-29.
“He added beauty to the feasts and solemnized the seasons of each year.”
Saturday 5th February
Be careful what you ask for
The wisest thing Solomon ever did was to ask for wisdom. Given the chance to ask for anything, he didn’t go the route of wealth, fame, immortality, but rather chose the road less traveled. For, as one biblical commentator put it, wisdom is “a bountiful crop with a meager harvest.” Often personified in biblical testimony as the feminine face of the Divine, Proverbs tells us that she “cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: ‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?’” We are Solomon, and the choice is ours to make. What will you choose?
Today's readings: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Mark 6:30-34 “The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. . . .
‘In addition, I give you what you have not asked for.’ ”
