Let us join together in reading and meditating on these Bible passages each day
as we continue our faith journey this month.
Feb. 1: Mark 5: 1-20
In this encounter, Jesus heals the demoniac and sets him free. We, too, can bring all our troubles and fears to Jesus and ask to be made free and whole, ready to witness to God’s mercy and love.
Feb. 2: Luke 2: 22-40
When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for his dedication, Simeon and Anna recognized who this child was and praised God for providing “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel” through him.
Feb. 3: Mark 6: 1-6
When Jesus began to teach in his hometown synagogue, people were amazed by his wisdom, but they rejected him. May I be ready to hear and receive and be blessed by what Jesus offers.
Feb. 4: Mark 6: 7-13
Jesus calls the apostles and sends them on a mission to announce the message of repentance, cure the sick, and cast out demons. He sends them out in pairs, telling them to trust in God and in the presence of God in one another to sustain them. May I, too, trust in God and radiate the light of God’s love to those I encounter.
Feb. 5: Mark 6: 14-29
John the Baptist had the courage to protest against injustice. I pray for such courage.
Feb. 6: Mark 6: 30-34
Jesus recognizes our need to take time to “come away and rest awhile.” We can then be refreshed and made ready to continue the life of compassion that Jesus demonstrates.
Feb. 7: Mark 6: 53-56
We come in prayer with our needs and also ask to know what we are called to do. Discipleship brings us into both friendship and partnership. God continually gives us both healing and strength.
Feb. 8: Mark 7: 1-13
Today let’s gives thanks for our parents and for the gift of life. Let’s make a list of our blessings and offer our prayer of gratitude to God.
Feb. 9: Mark 7: 14-23
For Jesus, the battlefield between good and evil is the human heart. I pray, in the words of Psalm 51: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Feb. 10: Mark 7: 24-30
As we read of Jesus’ acts of healing, we are reminded that miracles are always present around us, miracles of birth, of love, of hope, of forgiveness, of generosity, miracles that encourage us to trust in God and love others.
Feb. 11: Mark 31-37
Much of Jesus’ life is lived among people who are sick, depressed, worried, hiding, losing faith and getting it back. In this account, Jesus’ healing touch of love brings new hearing and new freedom of speech to the man. May I, too, receive God’s healing, renewing touch of love today.
Feb. 12: Mark 8: 1-10
In this account, Jesus had compassion for the crowd of 4,000 who are hungry. He blessed the loaves and fish that were gathered by the disciples and the crowd is fed. We, too, are fed by Jesus for our journey of faith. Let us give thanks for the way God nourishes and sustains us each day.
Feb. 13: Luke 6: 17. 20-26
The Beatitudes are describing those who are “blessed,” that is, righteous before God, living as God intends. Let us pray to be among them.
Feb. 14: Mark 8: 11-13
God loves us limitlessly. Yet, still we want more. Let us give thanks for God’s eternal love for us, for giving us everything that is good in our lives, and pray for energy to build the world that God intends.
Feb. 15: Mark 8: 14-21
Jesus’ feeding of the crowds is a demonstration that God is present with us now to feed, to sustain, to strengthen, and to bless us with God’s generous love. Let us give thanks!
Feb. 16: Mark 8: 22-26
We can identify with the blind man in this encounter with Jesus. We, too, can ask to see properly and be cured of all that clouds our vision.
Feb. 17: Mark 8: 27-33
Jesus is preparing his disciples for the suffering that is to come. Help me to follow Jesus on the way to the cross. I pray for strength in my times of suffering.
Feb. 18: Mark 8: 34-9:1
How do you respond to Jesus’ words: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the Gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?”
Feb. 19: Mark 9: 2-13
The transfiguration of Jesus was for the benefit of the disciples, so they would have faith and confidence in the lasting glory of Jesus, even as they went through the times of suffering to come.
Feb. 20: Luke 6: 27-38
We are called to be a channel of God’s compassion. We are called to love our enemies, to be merciful, just as God is merciful, to not judge, to forgive. May it be so!
Feb. 21: Mark 9: 14-29
This story reminds us to bring our problems to Jesus, to be honest with him, to ask for his help. We have the promise that we will find rest for our aching heart.
Feb. 22: Matthew 16: 13-19
Each of us is called to be a foundation stone for the building up of the lives of those around us, for building God’s beloved community.
Feb. 23: Mark 9: 38-40
The reign of God is advanced wherever good is done, truth is spoken, and love wins out. Lord, help me not to be narrow-minded or judgmental but to give thanks to you for all that is good.
Feb 24: Mark 9: 31-50
Today I pray to think and feel and act as Christ might, that I may see with his eyes, listen with his ears, speak with his words and touch with his hands.
Feb. 25: Mark 10: 1-12
Jesus calls us back to the vision that God has for creation. Jesus invites us to love, to be compassionate, to be merciful, just as God is merciful.
Feb. 26: Mark 10: 13-16
Jesus calls us to become like a little child, entering into a close friendship with him, trusting him, and being blessed by his love.
Feb. 27: Luke 6: 39-45
Jesus asks us, “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” We are asked to hold off criticism, clear our own slate, give up tearing down, but rather build up.
Feb. 28: Mark 10: 17-27
In his encounter with the man who asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus “looked at him and loved him.” As we pray today, let us remember that God looks at us and God loves us. Let us give thanks!