Monthly Archives: February 2024

 FASTING  Fasting was the subject of debate between the disciples of John and Jesus. John’s disciples asked Jesus, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” In response, Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them. The days will come […]

  DEUTERONOMY 30:15-20; PSALM 1; LUKE 9:22-25 CHOOSE  LIFE See, “I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.” Moses asked the people to make a choice between life and death. If they obey God’s commandments, they will live, but if they don’t, they will certainly be destroyed. Disobedience results in destruction, but […]

WORSHIP and VA-LENT-TINE Joel 2:12–18; Psalm 50; 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16–18 Today’s gospel is centered on worship. Jesus reminds us that the hallmarks of genuine worship are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Hence, he warns his disciples not to indulge in any form of display so as to attract the admiration of others. Church […]

Test vs. Temptation James 1:12–18; Psalm 94; Mark 8:14–21 While both “test” and “temptation” involve challenges or trials, they differ in their origin, purpose, and outcome: In the first reading, James distinguished testing from temptation. He says that temptation does not come from God; rather, a person is tempted when he is drawn away and […]

Dealing with trials James 1:1–11; Psalm 118; Mark 8:11–13 When dealing with trials or confronted with tribulations, James exhorts us to consider them pure joy since they produce persistence and spiritual maturity. See trials as chances for growth and refinement. Today’s psalm says, “It was good for me to be afflicted.” James also encourages us […]

The Helper of the Leper Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; Psalm 32; 1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1; Mark 1:40–45 Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai Jesus cures a leper in today’s gospel passage. In the Biblical sense, leprosy was described as a swelling of the skin with a crust and a whitish patch, whose severity might have been evaluated by the depth […]

THE GRACE FOR THE RACE 1 Kings 12:26–32, 13:33–34; Psalm 106; Mark 8:1–10 The gospel presents us with the feeding of the four thousand people. This miraculous feeding of the crowds has not stopped. Jesus feeds us daily with his word and the Eucharist. This food gives us strength to journey through this world to […]

Care for the disabled 1 Kings 11:29-32, 12:19; Psalm 80; Mark 7:31-37 The Gospel says, “They brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech, and they asked him to lay his hand on him.” Those who brought the deaf and dumb man to Jesus represent those who truly care for people […]

Children and dogs 1 Kings 11:4–13; Psalm 106; Mark 7:24–30 The metaphor of children and dogs calls us to have respect for all human beings. Regardless of our status, we must appreciate those around us. Children and dogs in this gospel were used to depict the Jews and the Gentiles of old. Children are usually […]