Episodes

  • Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - From Understanding to Intimacy

    Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - From Understanding to Intimacy
    Feb 10 2026
    Read OnlineWhen he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” Mark 7:17–19We experience varying levels of intimacy in our relationships. Some acquaintances, such as neighbors or colleagues, we only know superficially, while with a spouse, sibling, or close friend, we share a much deeper bond. Yet, even in the most intimate human relationships—such as that of a longtime married couple—we never achieve perfect knowledge of the other person.Similarly, our relationship with Christ must continually deepen. Unlike human relationships, however, God already knows us perfectly—better than we know ourselves. Still, He invites us to grow in knowledge and love of Him as He gradually reveals Himself to us. This ongoing process will continue not only in this life but even in eternity, as we behold the Beatific Vision. In Heaven, our union with God will be ever-expanding, as we enter more deeply into the infinite mystery of His divine presence.In today’s Gospel, Jesus revealed Himself more clearly to His closest companions than He did to the crowds. His self-revelation came by way of an intimate teaching about the “parable” He taught to the people. In this context, Jesus’ parable was not a traditional parable but a short and direct statement that used symbolic language to convey a deeper spiritual truth. He taught the crowd: “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile” (Mark 7:14–15). While seemingly straightforward, this teaching is called a parable because it invites contemplation and requires deeper understanding to grasp its full spiritual significance.In this parable, Jesus’ teaching challenged the crowd’s preconceived notions regarding purity and holiness. By addressing the heart as the true source of defilement, He invited His listeners to move beyond mere external observance of the law and to focus instead on the inner disposition of their souls. It’s also important to understand that He taught His close disciples in a more intimate way than He taught the crowds. After teaching the crowds, Jesus and His disciples went “home,” where they questioned Him about the parable. This intimate moment teaches us that personal prayer is our own “home,” where we encounter Christ away from the distractions of the world. It is there that we must approach Him daily with questions—not out of doubt, but from a desire to know Him more deeply. Questions lead to attentive listening, understanding, and intimacy.At the beginning of our relationship with God, He often speaks in more general terms. For those going through an initial conversion, Jesus’ general teachings are life-changing. As we mature in our faith and seek to deepen our relationship with God, we must see ourselves among Jesus’ close companions as they grew in holy intimacy. Doing so requires daily effort and intentionality. Just as a married couple cannot grow closer without meaningful communication, so too must we open our hearts to God each day, speaking honestly and listening attentively to His voice. Without this, our relationship with Him risks remaining superficial. Reflect today on the ways you approach your relationship with Christ. Do you seek Him in the quiet of your personal “home,” asking questions and listening attentively? Consider how you can make your prayer life more intentional, opening your heart to deeper understanding and communion with Him. Just as a loving spouse or a close friend takes time to speak and listen, so too must you dedicate time daily to converse with our Lord, allowing Him to lead you into the depths of His divine wisdom and love. My intimate Lord, You desire to reveal Yourself to me, to draw me into Your presence, and to converse with me more profoundly each day. Grant me the desire to know You, the resolve to listen attentively, and the grace to understand the depths of Your truth. Draw me ever closer, dear Lord, into a loving and intimate relationship with You. Jesus, I trust in You!Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - Worship from the Heart

    Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - Worship from the Heart
    Feb 9 2026
    Read Online“Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.’” Mark 7:5–8Isaiah’s prophecy rings as true for us today as it did when Isaiah spoke it and when Jesus quoted it. Worship of God must come from our hearts, from the depths of our beings. Only then is worship authentic.Humans are complex. We are made up of body and soul. Though we have a physical heart, the “heart” Isaiah and Jesus are speaking of is spiritual in nature, essentially the human will. God created us with a free will, meaning we alone are the source of the decisions we make, though our good choices are always assisted by God’s grace.When God speaks to us, revealing His Divine Will, He communicates to us through the use of our intellect. The intellect, enlightened by both natural reason and divine grace, identifies the good we must choose and proposes that good to the will. The will, moved by God’s grace, cooperates in freely choosing it or rejecting it. This cooperation reflects the cooperation between God’s action and our freedom.When we freely choose the good, we open ourselves to the grace of charity which perfects our will. Charity strengthens us and enables us to love with God’s own love, allowing us to live out the divine commandment to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. This alignment of our intellect, will, and actions with God’s will is what makes our worship authentic and our lives holy.This loving worship was absent from the practices of the Pharisees and scribes, whose devotion had become purely external. Their “worship” was steeped in pride, reducing their religious observance to a display of self-righteousness rather than a freely graced expression of love for God. Jesus’ rebuke, however, was not an act of condemnation but one of love. He sought to challenge their hypocrisy, convict their hearts, and call them into an authentic relationship with God rooted in true worship. Their refusal to respond with humility and repentance led many of them to plot against Him, culminating in His Crucifixion. This rejection of divine love reveals that their worship remained vain, as their hearts were closed to the grace that transforms external observance into a living relationship with God.When you reflect on your own external acts of worship, do they flow from a heart fully devoted to God? What motivates you when you attend Mass, recite prayers, or perform works of charity? Is your worship a genuine expression of love for God, or is it sometimes reduced to routine or mere obligation? We would all do well to listen attentively to Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees and scribes, examining our own hearts to discern whether we, too, are guilty of falling into externalism or prideful worship. True worship requires humility, sincerity, and an openness to God’s transforming grace, which alone can elevate our external actions into a genuine offering of love. The greatest and purest act of worship is to unite ourselves fully with the sacrifice of Christ in the Holy Mass, offering ourselves—body, mind, and soul—as a living sacrifice to God in loving obedience and complete trust. At Mass, the priest adds a drop of water to the chalice containing the wine. The water and wine are then consecrated into Christ Himself. That one drop of water represents us. Authentic worship will begin with us making that internal offering, united to the external ritual of the Mass, and flow into every other part of our lives. Reflect today on every external act of devotion and charity you perform, especially your participation in the Mass. Listen to Jesus’ loving rebuke of the Pharisees and scribes, and use His words to examine your life. Where weakness, sin, pride, or empty routine are found, seek to replace them with heartfelt worship so that your entire life becomes an offering of authentic love and worship of God.My Lord and my God, You alone are worthy of all my love, all my devotion, and the purity of my worship. Please reveal to me the ways in which my worship lacks authenticity, and grant me the grace to love You freely and wholeheartedly. Purify my heart so that my worship may glorify You and advance Your Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: The Meal in the House of the Pharisee by James TissotSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - Recognizing Jesus

    Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - Recognizing Jesus
    Feb 8 2026
    Read OnlineAfter making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. Mark 6:53–54As soon as Jesus stepped out of the boat, the people “immediately recognized him.” Jesus and the Twelve had spent the previous day on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, in the remote territory near Bethsaida where they planned to be alone. When they arrived there, however, the crowds were waiting for them, so Jesus preached to thousands of people and then performed the miraculous feeding of five thousand.Afterward, Jesus sent the Twelve ahead of Him toward Capernaum, but the wind blew the disciples off course to the agricultural and fishing land of Gennesaret, a few miles south of Capernaum. It was during that nighttime sea voyage that Jesus walked on water and calmed the sea.Was it by accident that Jesus and the disciples arrived in Gennesaret rather than Capernaum? Likely not. Divine Providence guided everything Jesus did. The Father willed that Jesus minister to the people of that region, which He did with great power. The fact that the people immediately recognized Jesus speaks to their deep faith and spiritual sensitivity. Their recognition went beyond physical familiarity; their faith told them that He was the Messiah. As soon as they saw Him, their hearts were stirred. They gathered in great numbers, bringing many who were sick to Him and quickly sent word to the nearby villages to come quickly, for Jesus was there.Unlike the people of Nazareth, the people along the shore of the Sea of Galilee quickly manifested faith in Jesus. As a result, Jesus’ miracles were numerous. Another sign that their faith was authentic was that the people did not act selfishly, trying to keep Jesus to themselves. Instead, their attention turned to those who needed Him the most, especially the sick and lame. This demonstrates the connection between faith and charity. True faith inspires an outpouring of love for others. We are not only grateful to God for the grace we receive, but we also immediately think of those in need—both those we know and others God places in our lives—and draw them to Jesus as well.Significantly, the people begged Jesus to let them “touch only the tassel on his cloak” (Mark 6:56). In the Torah, God commanded Moses to instruct the people to “make tassels for the corners of their garments, fastening a violet cord to each corner.” The tassels were meant to be a constant reminder of the Ten Commandments and their commitment to obey that covenant (cf. Numbers 15:37–41). Therefore, by touching the tassels Jesus wore in obedience to the Torah, the people were touching something sacred to them, worn by Him Who, as God, gave the people the Torah. By touching the tassels, the people not only honored the Torah but also reached out to its fulfillment in Jesus. Though they might not have fully understood what they were doing, their faith compelled them and they responded.Though today’s Gospel is short, it is packed with faith, revealing numerous people flocking to Jesus with eagerness and divine hope. These people teach us how we must react to God’s presence in our lives. Reflect today on the people of the land of Gennesaret who, upon recognizing Jesus in faith, “scurried about the surrounding country,” gathering many others who reached out in faith to touch the tassels Jesus wore. Consider whether you recognize Jesus’ presence when you encounter Him. Do you recognize Him in the Eucharist, in your prayer, and in the people you encounter daily? When you do, do you immediately think of ways you can help bring others to Jesus? Do you reach out in faith, touching Jesus’ tassels, believing with all certainty that His divine power will heal your soul and cure your weaknesses? Imitate these good people of Gennesaret, and Jesus’ almighty power will flow generously into your life, just as it did to them. Most miraculous Lord, Your generosity knows no bounds when Your people seek You out in faith. Just as the people of Gennesaret recognized You in faith, You call me to do the same. I pray that I will always seek You out, and when I find You, will draw others to You. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - Flavor, Preservation, and Purity

    Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - Flavor, Preservation, and Purity
    Feb 7 2026
    Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13Sodium chloride, also known as salt, is one of the most commonly used substances in the world, used for seasoning, preserving, and purifying. Sodium chloride is a very stable compound and cannot lose its flavor unless there is a chemical reaction or dissolution. Why, then, did Jesus suggest that salt could lose its taste? One likely explanation is that the salt used in ancient Palestine could indeed lose its flavor due to impurities and the conditions in which it was stored.The Dead Sea, located in modern-day southeast Israel, contains a massive deposit of salt and other minerals. According to biblical history, Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt in this region. Because of the vast salt and mineral deposits, the area surrounding the Dead Sea is desolate.Salt extracted from the Dead Sea was never pure sodium chloride. Gypsum and other minerals were also present, making the salt impure. If this salt were stored improperly or came into contact with water, the sodium chloride could dissolve and wash away, leaving behind the solid residue of minerals. These residual substances, like gypsum, had the appearance of salt but were tasteless and useless for flavoring, preserving, and purifying purposes. When this happened, the “salt” lost its taste. In light of this explanation, Jesus’ teaching becomes especially clear.The first notable feature of salt is its ability to add flavor to food. By calling His disciples the “salt of the earth,” Jesus was instructing them to enhance the “flavor” of the world by bringing the truth of the Gospel and the joy of His message to others. A Christian life lived in fidelity to Christ would make the world a better and more virtuous place, just as salt enhances the flavor of food.Salt is also commonly used for preservation. Before the age of refrigerators and freezers, salt was mixed with food to prevent corruption, by drawing out moisture and hindering bacteria and other microorganisms. Though this practice is still used today, it was especially vital in ancient times. By being the “salt of the earth,” Jesus was calling His disciples to preserve the world from moral decay. Through their witness and proclamation of the Gospel, they were to act as a preservative against sin and spiritual ruin. If they were to “lose their taste,” they would become indistinguishable from the rest of the world and ineffective in their mission. Hence, Jesus was exhorting them—and us—to avoid becoming watered down and bland in our witness to the Gospel.Lastly, salt held a significant role in Jewish religious practices, symbolizing purity and consecration. In sacrificial rituals, salt was used to consecrate offerings, as commanded in Leviticus: “You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not let the salt of the covenant with your God be lacking from your grain offering. On every offering you shall offer salt” (Leviticus 2:13). By seasoning their offerings with salt, the Israelites preserved the sacrifices from decay, making them pure. This practice reflects the disciples’ role in purifying the world through their example of holiness, their lives of self-sacrifice, and their participation in Christ’s redemptive work. They were to live lives of integrity, leading others to God through the purity of their hearts and their unwavering commitment to His will.Reflect today on this powerful metaphor of being the salt of the earth. The world desperately needs the enriching “flavor” of God’s grace. Without Him, the world is left to corruption and decay. With God, we, and those we serve, are preserved as pure and holy offerings, adding to His glory and growing in holiness. Be the salt of the earth. Do not become watered down in your faith. Remain steadfast in your fidelity to Christ and His Gospel, and you will transform the world around you. In doing so, you will not only glorify God but will also share in His eternal joy. wqw2232Most pure and enriching Lord, You alone enrich and enhance our lives, preserve us from sin, and make us a pure offering to Your Father. Please use me to be an instrument of Your grace to the world, making me the “salt” that remains pure and effective, to bring Your saving truth to the ends of the earth. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Zeal for the Mission

    Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Zeal for the Mission
    Feb 6 2026
    Read OnlineThe Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Mark 6:30–31When a person does something profound and meaningful for the first time, it’s a memorable moment. When a child walks for the first time, parents are elated. When we graduate from high school or college, a natural sense of pride wells up. Weddings, the birth of a baby, an ordination, and many other important events mark the beginning of something new and fulfilling.Around the midpoint of Jesus’ public ministry, some of Jesus’ closest disciples experienced one of those consequential moments. Jesus commissioned the Twelve to go forth, two by two, to preach repentance in many towns and villages (cf. Mark 6:7–13). He gave them authority over unclean spirits, enabling them to cast out demons and heal the sick. While they had been firsthand witnesses to Jesus’ ministry and His mighty deeds, this mission marked the first time they acted independently in His name, exercising His divine authority. It must have been an awe-inspiring experience, deepening their faith and understanding of their role in His mission.Today’s Gospel recounts their return from their ministry. We can imagine that each of them wanted to tell stories about all that they did and how the power of God worked in and through them. For that reason, Jesus invited them to “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” That invitation was likely enthusiastically received, given the emotional and spiritual energy they had exuded and their desire to process their experiences together.Though the invitation was sincere, Jesus’ formation of the Twelve was not complete. What happened next helped the Twelve to better understand the deeper meaning of the ministry they had just undertaken. Though the Twelve were excited to be with Jesus and the others once again, so was the crowd. Despite the Apostles’ exhaustion, the people pressed in upon them, making it difficult for them even to eat. When Jesus took them by boat to another town, the people hurried to the place by foot and waited patiently for Jesus and the Twelve.When the Twelve saw the crowd, they understandably might have been somewhat agitated. They had hoped for some time of rest, yet the people were starving for the spiritual nourishment that only Jesus and His disciples could give. Instead of agitation, “When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34).Though the Twelve had a transforming experience preaching, healing, and casting out demons, Jesus’ compassion for the crowds became their next crucial lesson. Their mission was not for their own sake or to marvel at the divine authority with which they ministered. It was about God’s people, who were “like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus wanted the Twelve to grasp the urgency of the mission they were entrusted with and the zeal required to fulfill it.Though we are not among the Twelve, each of us is entrusted with a mission. We must embrace it with the same zeal that Jesus showed in His ministry. While it is natural to feel tired and seek rest, supernatural zeal calls us to press on, to serve sacrificially, and to imitate Jesus’ selfless compassion. Our mission must always reflect the heart of Christ, fostering in us the same compassion and love He modeled for all.Reflect today on the excitement the Twelve must have felt as they witnessed the crowd’s hunger and thirst for spiritual nourishment. Consider your own mission of loving service—whether to your friends, family, community, or church. Are there moments when the demands on your time feel overwhelming, testing your patience and charity? In those times, strive to cultivate the compassion Jesus modeled for the Twelve, allowing His example to inspire you to respond with love, patience, and selfless care for others.My zealous Lord, You were tireless in Your preaching and unwavering in Your charity. The hunger and thirst of the crowd moved Your divine Heart with mercy and compelled You to shepherd Your people. Transform my heart to mirror Yours, filling me with supernatural zeal, so that I may never tire of serving those entrusted to my care. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Андрей Николаевич Миронов (A.N. Mironov), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Guilty Conscience

    Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Guilty Conscience
    Feb 5 2026
    Read OnlineKing Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; That is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Mark 6:14–16When a person sins seriously and refuses to repent, the damaging effects of that sin deepen over time, creating spiritual blindness and unrest. In contrast, repentance not only brings forgiveness, it allows God to transform the wounds of sin into instruments of grace, using even our failures for His glory.Herod is a prime example of how obstinacy magnifies the damage caused by sin. The first paragraph of today’s Gospel takes place some time after Herod executed John. The rest of the Gospel recounts how Herod was manipulated into beheading John by Herodias, his illegitimate wife, and her daughter. While much could be said about John’s execution and the good fruit borne by his ultimate testimony to the Truth, it is also helpful to reflect on Herod’s pitiful state to learn from his failure in order to avoid a similar response to sin.As soon as Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, John’s ministry began to decrease, as he himself acknowledged: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). John’s mission was one of preparation for the Messiah, calling people to repentance and pointing to the One who would bring salvation. Once Jesus began His public ministry, John’s work was complete, and God permitted his arrest by Herod so that his martyrdom could become his greatest witness to Christ.Jesus’ ministry was markedly different from John’s. While John preached repentance and fearlessly rebuked Herod for his sinful relationship, Jesus’ public ministry was marked not only by authoritative teaching but also by miraculous signs, including healings and even raising the dead. His fame spread quickly, reaching even Herod.When Herod heard about Jesus, he irrationally concluded that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. This reaction reveals Herod’s inner turmoil. His erroneous belief was not borne of faith but of the torment of a guilty conscience. Herod had killed a holy man. His unresolved guilt blinded him to this truth and distorted his perception of Jesus, preventing him from recognizing the Messiah.Herod’s tragic story reveals the universal danger of unrepentant sin, offering us a lesson about the destructive power of guilt and the healing grace of repentance. Unrepentant sin not only leads to further sin but also causes irrational thinking, fear, and paranoia. His guilt interfered with his ability to think clearly and rationally—not only about Jesus but likely about many other aspects of his life.Similarly, when we fall into serious sin, we are faced with two paths: repentance or obstinacy. Repentance opens the door to God’s mercy, healing, and transformation. Through His grace, this path not only sets us free but also forms virtue within us and opens us to the spiritual gift of wisdom. Obstinacy, on the other hand, leaves us in spiritual unrest, deepening the wounds of sin. That path leads to self-destructive irrationality, confusion, and blindness. Reflect today on the importance of sincere and total repentance for past sins. Though difficult, an honest assessment of our sins and sincere repentance is the path to immediate freedom and eternal glory. We must understand and believe in the power of repentance. When we fall into sin, we must have the courage to face it, own it, and seek God’s mercy. Learn from Herod by rejecting his example, and allow God’s mercy to flood your life, eliminating the effects of a guilty conscience and leading you to peace and freedom. Most merciful Lord, I come before You as a sinner in need of Your infinite mercy. Free me from the spiritual blindness and obstinacy that prevent me from fully opening my heart to You. Grant me the courage to confess my guilt without fear, so that I may receive the forgiveness only You can give. By Your grace, transform my past sins into opportunities for Your glory, and turn my guilt into virtue through the gifts of Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Caravaggio, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Sent Forth on Our Mission

    Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Sent Forth on Our Mission
    Feb 4 2026
    Read Online“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Mark 6:10–13During the first half of Jesus’ public ministry, despite the religious leaders growing increasingly hostile, He accomplished many things. Numerous conversions took place, many began to believe He was the Messiah, miracles abounded, and His fame spread far and wide. During this time, Jesus gave special attention to twelve of His disciples, setting them apart and designating them as Apostles. Honored by Jesus’ special attention, perhaps these twelve men struggled with pride, thinking they were above the rest of the disciples.In today’s Gospel, “Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7). This divine authority was something new to them, a gift beyond anything they had ever known. For that reason, Jesus exhorted them to rely on Divine Providence for their mission, exercising it with humility and simplicity: “He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts […] He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there’” (Mark 6:8, 10).This was a pivotal moment for the Twelve. During the first half of Jesus’ public ministry, the Twelve were our Lord’s students: listening to Him, accompanying Him, praying with Him, and learning about the Kingdom of God. Suddenly, the time came for them to act in Jesus’ name and with His authority. As they went forth, two by two, preaching repentance in the surrounding towns and villages, something amazing took place. They witnessed God’s power working through them, changing lives. With the newfound authority of their words and actions, they must have been amazed to see miracles take place at their command and demons fleeing in their presence.Though the Twelve were entrusted with the unique mission of becoming the foundation upon which Jesus would build His Church—especially Saint Peter, the Prince of the Apostles—we must all see ourselves in this divine commissioning. In accord with the requirements of our own divinely appointed missions, we, too, will be entrusted with “authority over unclean spirits.” Though only those officially sanctioned by the Church act in the formal role of exorcists, God’s authority is entrusted to each of us to thwart diabolical activity every day. By simply remaining in a state of grace and relying upon that grace, we participate in Christ’s victory over evil, thwarting satan’s works, revealing his lies, and assisting others in their quest for interior freedom. We do this in varied ways, depending on our vocations and particular missions.Reflect today on the mission Christ has entrusted to you. Parents, spouses, siblings, co-workers, friends, and neighbors are all called to share in Christ’s mission in unique and varied ways. As you ponder your own mission, consider two questions. First, have you, like the Twelve, embraced repentance and conversion by drawing closer to our Lord? Have you committed yourself to deepening that conversion so as to be more fully united with Christ? Secondly, have you allowed your union with Christ to equip you for the mission God has entrusted to you? Do you sense His divine authority in your life, enabling you to preach in His name through your words and deeds? Does your mere presence bring Christ’s grace, dispelling darkness and evil? Resolve to continue the mission given to the Twelve in accord with God’s will, and you, too, will be amazed at what God will do through you. My glorious Lord, You called the Twelve and formed them in Truth and grace, drawing them into lives of profound conversion. You then sent them forth in Your name to preach repentance and to dispel evil with authority. Please draw me close to You and form me by Your grace so that I not only know, love, and serve You more fully, but also become a greater instrument of Your grace to others. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe Stock Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Does Familiarity Breed Contempt?

    Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Does Familiarity Breed Contempt?
    Feb 3 2026
    Read OnlineJesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. Mark 6:4–6It’s an old expression that “familiarity breeds contempt.” It is often easier to harbor contempt for those closest to us than to offer admiration. This dynamic frequently manifests itself among relatives, neighbors, and friends. The “contempt” might remain subtle, without clear outward expression. Yet, when those close to us are honored, it is often easier to call to mind their faults than to join in their praise. These feelings, if left unchecked, not only harm human relationships but also blinds us to the workings of grace in those closest to us.Today’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus returning to His hometown of Nazareth after beginning His public ministry. Soon after He was baptized and emerged from the desert, Jesus began gathering disciples, preaching authoritatively, and performing miracles. Though His ministry began in Capernaum, about twenty miles northeast of Nazareth, word spread quickly about Him, leaving the people of Nazareth uncertain about what to think.When Jesus returned to Nazareth for the first time, He entered the Synagogue and read from the Prophet Isaiah, declaring that the “Spirit of the Lord” was upon Him (cf. Luke 4:18). Mark’s version of the event, which we read today, tells us that “many who heard him were astonished.” They asked one another, “‘Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary…?’ And they took offense at him” (Mark 6:2–3).Their refusal to believe stemmed not from Jesus but from their inability to reconcile the Jesus they thought they knew—a carpenter, a local boy—with the Jesus who now spoke with divine wisdom and authority. The reaction of the people of Nazareth reveals the danger of clinging to preconceived notions about others, which blinds us to God’s presence in the ordinary.When you consider the people with whom you are familiar, do you exhibit a similar tendency? Do you struggle to recognize Christ at work in family members, friends, or even within yourself? Familiarity can make us dismissive, but it also invites us to look more deeply for the divine, even in what appears humble and mundane. We must approach everyone we know with eyes of faith, searching for the presence of Christ, despite their weaknesses and sins. As Jesus reminds us, “Seek and you will find” (Matthew 7:7). This exhortation extends to seeking Christ in the people around us, especially those closest to us.This can be difficult. We are often tempted to focus on faults rather than goodness in others. The tendency is well illustrated in social media. Sensational and shocking posts draw our attention far more than uplifting and inspiring ones. This reveals the fallen human inclination, much like the people of Nazareth, to reject goodness and the deeper truth we are called to see. We often want others to fail as a way of feeling better about ourselves. Among the people of Nazareth, despite Jesus’ perfection, those who knew Him allowed their preconceived judgments to blind them, leading to their rejection of Him as the Messiah. This reaction challenges us to examine our own hearts. How often do we fail to recognize Christ’s presence in those closest to us? Reflect today on those closest to you and ponder how easily you seek and find Christ in them. Everyone you know—including yourself—is a sinner. It’s easy to find fault and dwell on it, even sometimes when there is no fault to be found—such as with Jesus at Nazareth. Prayerfully reject that fallen human tendency and embrace the mission of seeking Christ in others, for “the one who seeks, finds.” Seek Jesus everywhere and celebrate the Good News of His ongoing presence in our world, especially in the lives of those with whom you are most familiar. My omnipresent Lord, You reveal Yourself to me in countless ways—through the Sacraments, Your holy Word, and the lives of those around me, especially those closest to me. Grant me the grace to seek You each day with faith and love, that I may find You in the hearts and actions of those You have placed in my life. Transform my vision, Lord, so that I may see Your presence even in the ordinary and humbly respond with gratitude and trust. Jesus, I trust in You.He Taught them with Authority by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins