2026

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Isaiah 8:23—9:3

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun
and the land of Naphtali;
but in the end he has glorified the seaward road,
the land west of the Jordan,
the District of the Gentiles.

Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness:
for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

Responsorial Psalm Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that all of you agree in what you say,
and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.
For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,
by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.
I mean that each of you is saying,
“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”
or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

Alleluia Matthew 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Source: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012526.cfm

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Matthew 4:12, 17

Daily Reflections, Verse

God’s Permissive Will

When John the Baptist was arrested, his followers were likely overcome with fear and grief. The man they revered as a prophet, who fearlessly proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and called for repentance through baptism, had been imprisoned. John was arrested by Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, infamous for ordering the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. Like his father, Herod Antipas was ambitious and morally corrupt. As tetrarch of Galilee and Perea under Roman authority, Herod’s political survival depended on maintaining Roman favor. He often used religion to secure legitimacy among the Jewish people, though his actions routinely violated Jewish law.

Though nominally Jewish, the Herodian dynasty was of Idumean descent, tracing its lineage to Esau rather than Jacob. The Idumeans were forcibly converted to Judaism between 135–104 BC. While this history granted the Herods a claim to Jewish identity, their foreign lineage and collaboration with Rome made them unpopular with many Jews. Herod Antipas, like his father, prioritized political cunning and personal ambition over genuine adherence to Jewish law.

When John the Baptist emerged on the scene, he proclaimed his message with fearless conviction. His central call was one of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins, urging the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Yet John did not shy away from addressing the moral and spiritual corruption of his time. He famously denounced the Pharisees and Sadducees as a “brood of vipers,” rebuking their hypocrisy and lack of genuine repentance. John also boldly condemned Herod Antipas for violating Jewish law by divorcing his wife and marrying Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, Philip. This marriage not only violated Mosaic Law but also reflected Herod’s ambitions to consolidate power and status. John’s fearless denunciation of sin, even among the powerful, ultimately led to his arrest and eventual martyrdom.

This historical context surrounding John’s arrest is crucial because it helps us understand God’s providence—how He permits certain evils to occur in order to bring about a greater good. Jesus Himself later affirmed John’s greatness, saying, “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). If the Son of God declared John’s greatness shortly after John’s arrest, why didn’t God miraculously free him from persecution? The answer lies in John’s mission. He had fulfilled his primary role: preparing the way for the Lord, the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Once John’s mission was complete, God permitted him to seal his testimony with his own blood, offering his life as a martyr for the Lord and for the Truth that sets all people free.

Reflect today on John’s arrest and consider how you might have reacted if you had been one of his disciples. From an earthly perspective, martyrdom is difficult to comprehend or accept, especially in our own lives or in the lives of those we love. Though John’s arrest and subsequent martyrdom likely brought fear and grief to his disciples, shaking their sense of security, from an eternal perspective, John’s martyrdom was his greatest act of witness. It fulfilled his mission by pointing his disciples—and all of us—toward the true Prophet and Messiah, Jesus Christ. John is forever glorified in Heaven, and in the end, that is all that truly matters. As we honor John’s unwavering faith, seek to embrace God’s permissive will in your own life. Even in the face of suffering or evil, trust that God, in His providence, can bring about a greater good if we surrender ourselves fully to Him.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/01/24/gods-permissive-will/

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Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr

Daily Saints

Late Third Century–c. 304; Patron Saint of vinegar makers, wine makers, brickmakers, and sailors; Pre-Congregation canonization

Saint Augustine deeply admired today’s deacon-martyr, Saint Vincent of Saragossa. The above quote comes from one of five existing homilies Augustine delivered on the heroism, faith, and witness of this saintly man, whose martyrdom occurred during Diocelatian’s fierce persecution of the Church in the early 300s. But the blood of martyrs is a holy sacrifice that extinguishes the fires of the devil and fuels the faith of those who ponder such sacred sacrifices. As Augustine would preach in a subsequent sermon, “the devil suffered greater torments from Vincent not being vanquished than Vincent did from the devil persecuting him.”

Vincent was born in today’s Spain and carries the title of “protomartyr,” indicating he was the first, or “proto,” man to die for Christ on the Iberian Peninsula. Little is known of his life, but the testimony of Saint Augustine sheds light on his character. As with many early saints, many legends are attributed to him.

According to these legends, the Bishop Valerius of Saragossa, Spain, had a speech impediment, which led him to first ordain and then appoint Deacon Vincent, who was well spoken, as his personal preacher. The local Roman governor at the time, Dacian, ruthlessly carried out the edict of the Emperor Diocletian to force Christians to renounce their faith by burning incense to Roman gods. Both the elderly bishop and his deacon were arrested by Dacian and imprisoned. While in prison, Deacon Vincent said to the bishop, “Father, if you order me, I will speak.” The bishop replied, “Son, as I committed you to dispense the word of God, so I now charge you to answer in vindication of the faith which we defend.” That was all Vincent needed. At that moment, the words of Holy Scripture were fulfilled in Vincent, “When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19–20). The deacon gave his “sermon” with serenity in the face of torture and death, and the governor was tormented by his own outrage.

Legend has it that Vincent was scourged, stretched on the rack, fixed to a fiery grate, lacerated with iron hooks, burned with hot iron, and then thrown onto the prison floor covered with broken glass. Through it all, Vincent remained at peace, for he did not fear “those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28). The legend concludes that Vincent’s joy in the face of this torture was so great that it caused one of his jailers to immediately convert.

The governor, however, was not yet done. He gave Vincent a soft bed on which to recuperate, hoping to entice him to renounce his God through comfort. But neither threats of violence nor promises of comforts held any appeal for Vincent. No sooner was he laid upon the bed than he died. His body was thrown to vultures, but ravens came to his defense. Another account, from a sermon by Saint Leo, states that Vincent’s body was cast into the sea, but Providence washed him ashore, and his fellow Christians gave him a dignified burial where a shrine was later erected over his grave. The place in southern Portugal where, according to legend, these final events unfolded, is now called Cape Saint Vincent. Flocks of ravens and vultures still hover over this very coast.

Source: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/january-22-saint-vincent-deacon-and-martyr/

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Mark 3:16-19

Daily Reflections, Verse

God Knows All Things

He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Reflection:

Though Jesus called many disciples, He chose Twelve, representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and entrusted them with a unique mission. He named them Apostles, meaning “one who is sent” or “messenger,” and gave them His authority as the first bishops of His Church. Among them was the betrayer, Judas Iscariot.

Did Jesus make a mistake when He called Judas to be an Apostle? Certainly not. Jesus’ actions were perfect in every way and fully in accord with the Father’s will. Why did He pick Judas, even though He knew he would betray Him?

Saint Thomas Aquinas teaches that Jesus possessed the Beatific Vision and infused knowledge from the moment of His conception (Summa Theologiae, III.9.2&3). Therefore, He comprehended all things with God’s eternal knowledge, including the future role each Apostle would play. When He chose Judas Iscariot, He knew the path Judas would take, yet He called him anyway.

An important theological principle to understand is that God’s foreknowledge of our future does not interfere with our free will. Some philosophers have argued that God’s foreknowledge means the path we walk is predetermined and cannot change. While it is true that what God knows will not change, it is also true that His knowledge does not force or determine what we freely choose. God’s knowledge simply transcends and encompasses all time.

When pondering the sorrowful betrayal of one of Jesus’ intimate friends, there are important lessons we can learn from this permissive act of evil. God permits evil because He permits good. If He were to prohibit evil—an act of free will—He would be prohibiting the use of free will itself, thwarting our ability to freely love. This reveals the incredible gift that God has given us: the ability to love or not. This gift is essential to who we are, enabling us to share in God’s abundant and overflowing love and mercy, freely bestowed and freely received.

God’s permissive will also reflects the mysterious relationship between Divine Providence and human action. God, Who is All-Powerful, can bring good even out of the gravest sins. This is not a credit to us but to God’s might. In the case of Judas, God used his betrayal to set in motion the very act of redemption. The same is true in our lives.

When we experience betrayal, or betray another, God is able to bring good out of that act. If we are guilty of betrayal and fail to repent, God’s justice will prevail, and we will be condemned. Though our sins against others are damaging, God can use even our sins for good in their lives. He can foster mercy and forgiveness in others’ hearts and unite them more fully with Himself, Who was betrayed.

When another sins against us, the impulse to judge and condemn is a common temptation. Yet, the lesson we must learn from Judas is recorded beautifully by Saint Paul: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even injustice and sins committed against us are not reasons for despair but for hope—hope in the sinner’s repentance and hope that God will transform evil into good for those who love Him and unite themselves with Jesus’ betrayal by Judas.

Reflect today on God’s almighty power to work all things for good in your life, even sin. Though the sinner who refuses to repent will experience the fullness of God’s justice, profound good can come from our repentance and from imitating Jesus, Who endured cruel betrayal. Trust in His power and allow Him to bring good out of evil in your life. Doing so not only lifts the heavy burden of anger, it also infuses God’s perfect charity into any and everything we encounter or endure in life.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/01/22/god-knows-all-things/

Mark 3:16-19 Read More »

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Daily Saints

We remember today the tragic United States Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, issued on January 22, 1973, that essentially legalized abortion in all fifty states for almost fifty years. By God’s grace, that decision was finally overturned on June 24, 2022, by the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson. Though that latter decision gives us much to be grateful for, the battle for the sanctity of life must continue, since the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling simply deferred the decision on abortion to state legislatures. Thus, abortion remains legal in the majority of states in the United States and continues to be legal in many other countries around the world.

Throughout the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are approximately 40–50 million abortions every year. That translates into about 125,000 abortions every day. Up until the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, the WHO further estimated that twenty-two percent of all pregnancies in the United States ended by abortion, over one million abortions every year. These numbers are conservative estimates, given that the WHO promotes abortion.

Too often, abortion advocates premise their arguments on a woman’s right to do what she wants with her own body. Yet a baby in the womb is a new life, distinct from the mother’s, with as much dignity, beauty, and value as any other life, including the mother’s. The psalmist puts it this way, “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works!” (Psalm 139:13–14).

It is true that an unplanned pregnancy brings with it a myriad of concerns. But no such concern is so grave that it justifies taking an innocent life at its most vulnerable stage of development. “Such attacks strike human life at the time of its greatest frailty, when it lacks any means of self-defense” (Saint John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, #11).

Much rhetoric has unsuccessfully attempted to justify abortion. Yet while debate over abortion never ceases, eternal truths never change. “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person—among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2270).

In response to this ongoing attack against human life, the bishops of the United States have designated today as “a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion” (GIRM #373). Note that our bishops wisely call for two distinct actions today. First, they call for prayer so that the innate right to life is legally guaranteed. Without this most fundamental right, no other rights matter. Second, they acknowledge the countless violations that have already been committed against human dignity by abortion, and call us to do penance to help atone for those violations.

Today, call to mind that the weakest, most vulnerable, and most at-risk human beings need you. Statistically speaking, the most dangerous place to live is within the womb. Also call to mind every mother who finds herself in an unplanned pregnancy. Both child and mother need your prayers and your acts of penance—that every mother makes the choice for life, and that the right to life will be enshrined in every civil law throughout the world. Your acts of penance help atone for every abortion committed, especially for the repentance and healing of everyone involved. Don’t underestimate the power of your prayers and penance. Unite yourself to the Body of Christ, and do your part to bring healing to the past and true hope for the future.

Source: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/january-22-day-of-prayer-for-the-legal-protection-of-unborn-children-usa-memorial/

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Mark 3:7-8

Daily Reflections, Verse

God’s Timing and Perfect Plan

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

Reflection:

Jesus was amassing quite a following, with people flocking to Him from territories that include modern-day Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Among them were traditional Hebraic Jews, Greek-speaking Jews, Syro-Phoenician Gentiles, and Edomites. This diverse crowd reveals how Jesus’ ministry transcended cultural, religious, and national boundaries, foreshadowing the universal call of the Gospel. While some were drawn to Him through authentic faith, others came out of curiosity, eager to witness His miracles.

Just prior to today’s Gospel, the Pharisees and Herodians began to plot Jesus’ death because they saw Him as a threat. In response, Jesus “withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.” His timing was perfect; the hour of His Passion had not yet come. This withdrawal was not an act of fear but a deliberate step forward in preparing for the next phase of His mission. There was still much to accomplish—gathering followers, performing works of mercy, and preparing the Twelve for their mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

While Jesus acted in accordance with divine wisdom, those who flocked to Him could only see the immediate. They were captivated by His teachings and miraculous works but often misunderstood the full scope of His mission. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–3). For Jesus, this “time” in His public ministry was a time to build up His earthly flock, teaching them, inspiring faith, and forming them for their mission.

As we consider the many and diverse people who flocked to Jesus at this time in His ministry, it’s important to see ourselves in them. Those who came to Him could have never imagined all that would follow. While some might have foreseen the possibility of His death due to the hostility of religious and political leaders, few, if any, could have predicted that Jesus’ Passion and Death were something He would freely welcome and embrace. At that time, they could never have understood that Jesus had to suffer and die for the salvation of souls. Moreover, everything that followed His death would have been foreign to them: His Resurrection, establishment of the Church, Ascension, bestowal of the Holy Spirit, and future coming as the Universal King.

We all go through countless experiences, some good, some bad. When we encounter something good, we often want to hold onto it, yet those experiences often fade with time. When we encounter something bad, we long for that situation to be removed or resolved, yet it sometimes stays longer than we hoped.

Jesus’ life clearly teaches us that “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.” As we journey through life, we ought not dismiss the difficult times and try to cling to the good ones. We must enter and live each moment as it comes and goes, seeking to use everything as God intends it, preparing us for the glory that awaits us if we remain faithful until the end.

Reflect today on the seasons of your life, both the joys and the trials. How is God calling you to trust in His timing and use each moment to grow in faith and love? Consider whether you view your challenges as obstacles or as opportunities to deepen your trust in God’s perfect plan. Embrace the good and the difficult, growing in grace and virtue as you do, and your life will unfold in beautiful ways, giving glory to God. In doing so, you will reflect the trust and fidelity of Jesus Himself, whose perfect obedience to the Father brought about the salvation of the world.

Source: http://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/01/21/gods-timing-and-perfect-plan/

Mark 3:7-8 Read More »

Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Daily Saints

c. 291–c. 304; Patron Saint of those seeking chastity and purity, engaged couples, rape victims, gardeners, young girls, and Girl Scouts; Pre-Congregation canonization

According to one tradition, the daughter of Emperor Constantine the Great—the first emperor to convert to Christianity and legalize its practice—contracted leprosy. Her name was Constantina. Seeking a cure, she approached the tomb of today’s young virgin-martyr and tearfully beseeched her intercession. The tradition further states that Constantina was indeed healed, and, in gratitude, her father commissioned the building of a church over Saint Agnes’ grave. To this day, a church adorns that same spot. To this day, it is named in honor of Saint Agnes. And to this day, the faithful beseech Agnes’ intercession in the same fashion as Constantina in days of old.

Very little is known about Saint Agnes, except for Saint Ambrose’s brief words written many decades after her death. We do know for certain that she was martyred at the age of twelve or thirteen. Later traditions have supplied what history cannot, including what follows.

Agnes was born into a noble Christian family in Rome. She was said to have been quite beautiful, which, together with her wealth and holiness, caused many young noblemen to seek her as their bride. But Agnes’ eyes beheld One Who was the most beautiful of all—her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After taking in His beauty, she could look upon no one else. She dedicated herself to a life of virginity.

Such self-gift, however, was neither well received nor well understood by the young men of her time. Agnes was reported to the local prefect Sempronius for being a Christian, in an attempt to dissuade her from her vow of chastity. The prefect first tried to convince Agnes to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. She refused. Her heart was firm in its devotion to her Beloved. The prefect then tried to frighten her by displaying some instruments of torture in the hands of the cruel executioner himself. Agnes showed no fear and refused to burn incense to false gods. Outraged, the prefect ordered that she be taken to brothels to be violated by immoral men.

During these ordeals, Agnes knew her Heavenly Spouse would protect her. Evil men could stain their swords with her blood, but they could never profane her body consecrated to Christ. At the brothels, the men looked at her with lust from a distance, but appeared more frightened of her than she was of them. None dared approach her. None dared defile her. It is said that only one young man did approach her, only to be immediately struck blind and brought to the ground. Through a prayer spoken by Agnes, though, his sight was restored.

The prefect, having failed to convert Agnes back to paganism, or to defile her body, then condemned her to a death by beheading. Agnes willingly offered her neck to the executioner, who trembled with fear as he approached, while she was as joyful as a bride waiting to meet her Bridegroom.

Saint Agnes, along with Saint Cecilia, was one of the earliest martyrs whose name was honored by its insertion into the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I in today’s Mass.) Her name in Latin means “lamb.” As a result, since the sixteenth century, every year on her feast day two lambs are brought to the Roman basilica built over her tomb. Their wool is shorn and weaved into various pallia, vestments covering the shoulders. These very pallia are later placed on the shoulders of archbishops by the pope himself on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Along with his crozier, or staff, the pallium symbolizes a bishop’s role as shepherd.

Source: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/january-21-st-agnes-virgin-martyr/

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Mark 3:4-5

Daily Reflections, Verse

Righteous Anger and Holy Grief

Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

Reflection:

How would you answer this question? “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Objectively speaking, the answer is easy: “Yes!” But subjectively speaking, when we consider the person performing the good deed, it’s easy to let our thoughts, feelings, and past experiences of that person affect our judgment. If we have a grievance toward someone—resulting in anger, jealousy, or envy—our answer might differ from the ideal, as it did with the Pharisees toward Jesus.

Anger is a strong emotional reaction to perceived injustice or injury that, when disordered, can lead to resentment, bitterness, or a desire for vengeance. Jealousy is a fear of losing what we have to another and is rooted in insecurity or pride, leading to a protective but distorted attachment to our own status, relationships, or achievements. Envy is a sadness or sorrow over the blessings or successes of another, often accompanied by a refusal to celebrate their good fortune and a desire that they be deprived of it. These are ugly sins. Sins that filled Jesus’ Sacred Heart with righteous anger and holy grief.

In this Gospel passage, the Pharisees appear to suffer from all three sins. Their anger is evident in their hostile reaction to Jesus’ words and actions, as they see Him as a threat to their authority and influence. Their jealousy manifests in their fear of losing their power and status among the people to Jesus, whose teachings and miracles overshadow their own ministry. Their envy becomes apparent in their inability to rejoice in the man’s healing, resenting instead Jesus’ authority and the attention he attracts. These sins harden their hearts, blinding them to God’s mercy and love that Jesus embodies, and lead them down a path of malice and conspiracy.

When we consider the Pharisees’ negative and sinful reactions, it’s easy to condemn them, thinking we would never react that way. Yet, before we jump to that conclusion, it’s important to examine all the relationships and encounters we have with others.

Jesus embodies every virtue and spiritual gift—mercy and justice, compassion and strength, diligence and docility, humility and majesty, patience and zeal, wisdom and prudence, faith and fortitude, hope and charity. For which of these did the Pharisees manifest their anger, jealousy, and envy? It’s impossible to answer that question because these sins are always rooted in irrationality. The same is true in our lives.

Considering the people we encounter on a regular basis, it’s important to examine whether we struggle with anger, jealousy, or envy. This is often difficult to do because these sins blind us to the truth. When we are angry, we irrationally blame others as the cause of our anger. When jealous, our insecurity leads us to justify our reaction and condemn the one whom we feel is a threat. When envious, our self-concern distorts our ability to see the good in another, preventing us from rejoicing in their success or goodness.

Jesus came to set us free from these heavy burdens. The Pharisees were not happy because these sins dominated their lives. Similarly, we will never find the peace, joy, and happiness we desire until we turn anger into love and forgiveness, jealousy into gratitude, and envy into admiration and rejoicing in the blessings of others.

Reflect today on those people you encounter on a regular basis. Where these sins enter into those relationships, accept responsibility for them, confess them, and pray for virtue to replace them. Our Lord wants us to rejoice with Him, participate in His glorious virtues and spiritual gifts, and receive the overflowing rewards that they bestow.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/01/20/righteous-anger-and-holy-grief/

Mark 3:4-5 Read More »

Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr

Daily Saints

Died 250; Patron Saint of Rome; Pre-Congregation canonization; Elected pope 236

It wasn’t until 313 that Christianity was legalized by the emperor, Constantine the Great. Up until that time, Christians were widely persecuted by various emperors trying to please their gods. Fabianus (Fabian) was born into this Roman culture, most likely around the year 200. Although we know nothing about his early life, we do know that he served as pope for fourteen years.

Fabian’s election to the papacy took place in a divinely inspired way. After the death of Pope Anterus, who served for only one year, Fabian, a layman, traveled from his farm to the city of Rome to attend the election of the new Bishop of Rome with the people and clergy. It is not known what status Fabian held in the Church as he traveled to Rome. Yet no one present even considered Fabian as a possible pope, since other far more noble churchmen were being considered. During the public discussions, however, all that changed. The fourth century Church historian, Eusebius, explains what happened next. “All of a sudden…a dove flew down from above and settled on his head as clear imitation of the descent of the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove upon the Savior; whereupon the whole people, as if moved by one divine inspiration, with all eagerness and with one soul cried out ‘worthy,’ and without more ado took him and placed him on the episcopal throne” (Ecclesiastical History). Just as the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove at His Baptism, it appears that the Father chose an unsuspecting farmer as His Son’s new vicar on Earth.

Fabian’s reign as pope began during a relatively peaceful period in Rome. Prior to that, from the time of the Apostles, there had been only sporadic persecutions of Christians in the Roman Empire. Hatred of Christians first began with Nero in 64 and continued in various forms under successive emperors until the Emperor Decius rose to power in 249, thirteen years after Fabian became pope. Within a year of Decius’ ascension to the emperor’s throne, he issued an edict that required everyone in the empire to offer sacrifice both to the Roman gods and for the good of the emperor himself. What’s more, the sacrifices had to be confirmed by the magistrate who, after witnessing the sacrifice, would issue a certificate verifying the sacrilegious deed had been completed. Those who refused could be imprisoned or killed.

In the face of persecution and the threat of death, some Christians went through the motions of offering sacrifice to save their lives. Others fled and hid. Pope Fabian was among those who looked persecution and death in the face and accepted them. Pope Fabian and many other Christians died as martyrs for the faith.

In addition to his martyrdom and his divine election as pope, Saint Fabian is also known for being a good administrator of the Church, organizing the Church into various districts with appointed leaders. He had a heart for evangelization and sent several bishops as missionaries to Christianize Gaul (present-day France). Lastly, like many other saints of his time, he stomped out heresy, working to preserve the pure and orthodox faith.

Source: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/january-20-saint-fabian-pope-and-martyr/

Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr Read More »

Mark 2:27-28

Daily Reflections, Verse

Following God’s Law

“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath”

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel should console those who struggle with a legalistic and scrupulous mindset. This is an easy trap to fall into for those who desire to keep God’s commandments and remain faithful to His holy will. Despite the best intentions, it’s easy for those who are deeply sincere in their fidelity to God to misunderstand how best to please and glorify Him. One common trap is to think that meticulous observance of the external Law is sufficient. While obedience to God’s Law is essential, it is equally important to understand the authentic requirements of His Law—what it truly demands and what it does not.

Today’s Gospel takes place toward the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, after He had named His Twelve Apostles and begun preaching and healing. As they walked to another town on the Sabbath so Jesus could continue His mission, they passed through a field. The Apostles, being hungry, forged a path through the grain and picked some of it to eat. When the Pharisees saw them doing this, they seized the opportunity to condemn them, saying, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” (Mark 2:24).

Without getting too philosophical, it’s important to understand what we call God’s Eternal Law. The Eternal Law encompasses reality—physical, moral, and spiritual truths. All that God has established as true must be our guide through life. The goal of the evil one is to deceive us by leading us into a false understanding of that reality.

Traditionally, the Eternal Law has been divided into two distinct aspects: the Natural and Divine Laws. The Divine Law is all that is known only through divine revelation—all that the Scriptures reveal, especially through Christ’s humanity and mission. The Natural Law, on the other hand, is written upon creation itself, including our own human nature. Natural Law is written on our consciences and discerned through reason. For example, we instinctively know it is wrong to lie, steal, and murder. Though God’s Divine Law confirms this through the Ten Commandments, these basic moral truths are already evident to us when we reflect clearly.

In today’s Gospel, the Apostles’ actions were perfectly aligned with right reason—the Natural Law—showing how their choices reflected God’s design for human flourishing. They were eating grain as they journeyed with Jesus so He could continue His mission. Their need for sustenance, especially while in service to Christ, took precedence over rigid legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath. The Pharisees, however, mistook the Sabbath for an end in itself. They focused solely on external observance and failed to understand that the Sabbath was instituted as a gift for humanity—a day for rest, worship, and renewal in communion with God.

What’s freeing and beautiful to note is that the Natural Law, written on our human reason, and the Divine Law, revealed through the Scriptures, are in perfect harmony. Both flow from God. Through His mission, Jesus shows us how the Divine Law elevates and perfects the Natural Law, orienting both toward love and mercy. The Pharisees’ legalism obscured this harmony, reducing the Law to a burdensome set of rules rather than as a pathway to life and freedom.

Reflect today on your own approach to God’s Law. If you find it burdensome, reevaluate your thinking. Properly understood and embraced, God’s Law is not a weight; it’s the source of freedom. The Sabbath, in particular, invites us to rest and trust in God’s providence. When we live according to the Eternal Law—both Natural and Divine—we discover harmony within our souls that refreshes and elevates us. Resolve to follow God’s Law with love, avoiding both scrupulosity and laxity, and you will find the freedom and joy for which you were created.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/01/19/following-gods-law/

Mark 2:27-28 Read More »

First Reading Isaiah 8:23—9:3

Responsorial Psalm Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17

Alleluia Matthew 4:23

Gospel Matthew 4:12-23

God’s Permissive Will

Late Third Century–c. 304; Patron Saint of vinegar makers, wine makers, brickmakers, and sailors; Pre-Congregation canonization

God Knows All Things

God’s Timing and Perfect Plan

c. 291–c. 304; Patron Saint of those seeking chastity and purity, engaged couples, rape victims, gardeners, young girls, and Girl Scouts; Pre-Congregation canonization

Righteous Anger and Holy Grief

Died 250; Patron Saint of Rome; Pre-Congregation canonization; Elected pope 236

Following God’s Law

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