Reflections on the Daily Readings 7th February 2022
Monday 7th February
And you visited me
Most of us probably thought (and hoped and prayed) the pandemic would be over by now, but COVID-19 is sticking around in 2022. As weary as we all are of it, we need each other as much as ever for support. Look no further than the corporal and spiritual works of mercy for guidance on helping others in ways that are safe and particularly useful right now. Visit the sick—if not literally, by grocery shopping or cooking for someone ill, or by reaching out to exhausted healthcare workers you know. Need tips on the other works specific to our times? Visit the Catholic bishops’ resource page, "The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy During the COVID-19 Pandemic."
Today's readings: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Mark 6:53-56 (329).
“They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.”
Tuesday 8th February
Memorial Of Josephine Bakhita
Time to stop traffic
Each year, the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking falls on this day—the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita, F.D.C.C. In 1877, while still a young girl, Bakhita was kidnapped from her Sudanese village and sold—many times over—as a slave. She was brutalized for 12 years, her body a bundle of scars from being whipped and tortured. But human trafficking isn’t just a problem from long ago, happening only in faraway places. Today, the United States remains one of the world’s top three trafficked nations. Pray for—and learn more about—trafficking victims by visiting sistersagainsttrafficking.org.
Today's readings: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; Mark 7:1- 13 (330).
“Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O Lord.”
Wednesday 9th February
Be a truly “catholic” Christian
In our daily lives as Catholics, it’s easy to forget that we are members of a big church. Most of us are members of the Latin Church, which is the largest of the two dozen churches that make up the Catholic Church. The other 23 are Eastern churches. They use different liturgies, and some were established during the earliest times in church history. The Ethiopian Catholic Church, for example, uses the ancient Ge’ez liturgy—one of the oldest in existence—and can be traced back to the missionary work of Saint Mark the Apostle. Today, remember that the Catholic Church is truly universal!
Today's readings: 1 Kings 10:1-10; Mark 7:14-23
“The queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon’s fame, came to test him with subtle questions.”
Thursday 10th February
Memorial Of Scholastica
The truth behind the tradition continues
Tradition says that Scholastica, today's saint, had significant influence on her twin, Saint Benedict of Nursia, who codified the monastic way of life with his famous Rule. The lack of documentation on Scholastica’s life is curious, given her centrality in shaping Benedictine life. There are written accounts of her, but they are sparse. While the historical record is lean, clearly Benedictine women, of whom Scholastica is said to be the first, have achieved spiritual greatness, scholarship, and leadership in their own right over the centuries and illuminated the faith for all of us.
Today's readings: 1 Kings 11:4-13; Mark 7:24-30 (332).
“For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
Friday 11th February
Memorial Of Our Lady Of Lourdes
Release the power of your touch
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have suffered from a sense of isolation and alienation, this despite the myriad forms of modern communication from calls, to Zoom, to social media posts. Nothing is quite the same as the up close and personal—a handshake, a pat on the back, an embrace, or a kiss. Indeed, as many physicians, spiritual healers, and wisdom figures will tell you, humans not only need physical touch but it has healing benefits. Jesus puts a finger in a man’s ear and rubs his own saliva into the man’s mouth to cure him. Through his touch, Jesus gives part of himself to others. Perhaps that is the secret to all healing. Each of us giving of ourselves to help others. Pray to Our Lady of Lourdes for the opportunity to provide a healing touch to someone in need.
Today's readings: 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19; Mark 7:31-37 (333).
“He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Saturday 12th February
Seventh heaven
From ancient times, the number seven was seen as the number of spirituality, perhaps because of the “seven moving luminaries” visible to the naked eye (the Sun and Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn). There are many examples of the use of the number seven in both Testaments, from the seven days of creation in Genesis to the seven churches of Revelation. Catholicism celebrates seven sacraments, identifies seven deadly sins and seven virtues, seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and seven corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Today, the seventh day of the week, is a good day to reflect on the seven sorrows and seven joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Today's readings: 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34; Mark 8:1-10 (334).
“Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks.”
