Mass Readings and Reflection for January 20, 2026

First Reading (1 Samuel 16:1–13)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 89:20, 21–22, 27–28)

Response: I have found David, my servant.

Alleluia

The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

Gospel: (Mark 2:23–28)

Reflection: 

Today’s readings revolve around God’s vision, God’s priorities, and God’s mercy, all of which differ sharply from human expectations.

1. God Sees the Heart, Not the Surface

Samuel is ready to anoint the tallest, strongest, most impressive son of Jesse. But God interrupts that instinct:

“The LORD looks into the heart.”

This reminds us that God’s choices often surprise us. He chooses the overlooked, the underestimated, the quiet one in the field.

In your own life, this reading invites you to:

• Stop judging your worth by external measures.

• Trust that God sees what others miss.

• Believe that God can call you even when you feel “too small” or “not ready.”

2. Jesus Reorders the Law Around Love

In the Gospel, Jesus confronts a rigid interpretation of the Sabbath. The Pharisees see rule-breaking; Jesus sees hunger, need, and mercy.

His message is clear:

God’s law is meant to serve human flourishing, not burden it.

This challenges us to examine our own hearts:

• Do we cling to rules while forgetting compassion?

• Do we judge others without understanding their hunger or struggle?

• Do we forget that mercy is the heartbeat of God’s law?

3. David and Jesus: Two Kings, One Spirit

David is anointed king; Jesus reveals Himself as Lord of the Sabbath.
Both are chosen by God, both misunderstood, both guided by the Spirit.

Today’s readings invite us to let the Spirit guide our decisions, our judgments, and our compassion.

Amen.

Mass Readings for January 19, 2026

First Reading: (1 Samuel 15:16-23)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23)

Alleluia: (Hebrews 4:12)

“The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.”

Gospel: (Mark 2:18-22)

Reflection

Obedience is better than sacrifice of the Heart.  Our sacrifice can't make up for our disobedience. (First Reading & Psalm)

Today’s readings start with a dramatic scene: Samuel rebukes King Saul, not for what he did, but for how he listened-or rather, how he didn’t listen wholeheartedly to God. Saul tried to justify his selective obedience by wrapping it in religious language, “sacrifices for the LORD”, yet Samuel cuts to the heart of the matter: God desires obedience more than ritual.

The Responsorial Psalm echoes this: God does not demand offerings the way humans might imagine. Instead, what honors Him is a life aligned with His ways, a heart that truly hears and responds to His words, not just recites them.

Key insight: External piety-even good deeds- rings hollow if it is not rooted in genuine obedience and love for God.

“New Wine” and the New Covenant (Gospel)

In the Gospel, people question Jesus about fasting. Rather than defending a rule, Jesus teaches about relationship. The disciples do not fast while the “Bridegroom”, Jesus Himself , is present. In calling Himself the Bridegroom, Jesus reveals that faith is not primarily about following empty rules, but about sharing life with Him.

His metaphors, new cloth on old garments, new wine in old wineskins, point to the radical newness of the Kingdom He inaugurates. The new cannot be simply added onto the old without transformation. This newness demands hearts that are flexible, open, and responsive to God’s Spirit, not mere adherence to past forms.

Becoming New Wineskins

Today’s readings invite us to ask:

• Where in my life am I offering God my “sacrifices” while holding back obedience?

• Am I trying to squeeze Christ’s new life into old habits that resist transformation?

• How can I welcome Jesus as Bridegroom-joyfully, vulnerably, and obediently-so that the new wine of His grace can transform me from within?

God does not want our performance, He wants our hearts. When we surrender to His will, we become vessels ready to receive the life He longs to pour into us.

Amen.

God bless you

Pal Ronnie

Mass Readings and Reflection for Sunday January 18th 2026

Today is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

I made it to Mass at the St. Raphael Chapel at Work. It was a beautiful Mass. 

First Reading: (Isaiah 49:3, 5–6)

“You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory…
I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 40:2, 4, 7–8, 8–9, 10)

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Second Reading: (1 Corinthians 1:1–3)

“To you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy…
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Alleluia: (John 1:14a, 12a)

“The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him, he gave power to become children of God.”

Gospel: (John 1:29–34)

John the Baptist sees Jesus and proclaims:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

He testifies that he saw the Spirit descend like a dove and remain upon Jesus, revealing Him as the Son of God.

Reflection:

“Behold the Lamb: Recognizing God When He Passes By”

Today’s readings revolve around one powerful spiritual movement:
recognition.

Isaiah speaks of a servant chosen from the womb, destined to be a light to the nations.
John the Baptist points to Jesus and cries out, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
Paul reminds the Corinthians, and us, that we are called to be holy.

Each reading is an invitation to see God clearly and to respond with a willing heart.

1. God reveals Himself, but we must notice Him

John the Baptist had one mission:
to help others recognize Jesus.

He didn’t say, “Look at me.”
He said, “Look at Him.”

In a world full of noise, distraction, and self-promotion, John’s humility is a spiritual wake-up call.
He teaches us that holiness begins with attention, the ability to notice God’s presence in ordinary moments.

God is always speaking.
The question is whether we are listening.

2. “Here am I, Lord”, the posture of a servant

The Psalm gives us the only fitting response to God’s revelation:

“Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”

Not:

• “Here am I, Lord, if it’s easy.”

• “Here am I, Lord, after I finish my plans.”

This is the posture of availability, 
the posture of Mary at the Annunciation,
the posture of Jesus in Gethsemane.

Holiness is not perfection.
Holiness is availability.

3. You are called to be a light

Isaiah’s prophecy is not only about Israel, it is also about you.

God says:
“It is too little for you to be my servant…
I will make you a light to the nations.”

God’s plans for you are always bigger than your plans for yourself.
He calls you beyond comfort, beyond fear, beyond smallness.

You were not created to hide.
You were created to shine.

4. The Lamb of God takes away sin, personally

When John says, “Behold the Lamb of God,” he is announcing:

• Freedom from shame

• Healing from wounds

• Release from burdens

• Restoration of identity

Jesus does not only take away the sin of the world,
He takes away your sin,
your heaviness,
your past.

This is not abstract theology.
This is personal salvation.

Spiritual Takeaway for Today

• Pay attention. God is passing by in your day, in people, in silence, in Scripture.

• Be available. Say “Here am I, Lord,” even if your voice trembles.

• Shine. You are called to be a light in your home, your work, and your community.

• Behold the Lamb. Let Jesus take what you’ve been carrying too long.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings and Reflection for Saturday, January 17, 2026 Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot

First Reading: (1 Samuel 9:1–4, 17–19; 10:1)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 21:2–3, 4–5, 6–7)

Response:
“Lord, in your strength the king is glad.”

Alleluia: Jesus said: "Those who are sick need a physician; I have come to call sinners".

Alleluia.

Gospel: (Mark 2:13–17)

Jesus walks by the sea and sees Levi sitting at the tax booth. He says only:

“Follow me.”
Levi rises and follows.

Later, Jesus eats in Levi’s house with many tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees question His behavior. Jesus answers:

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick.
I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Theme:
Jesus does not wait for people to become clean before calling them. He calls first, and heals along the way. In other words, He doesn't call the perfected, He calls first and perfect the people He call later. 

Reflection

Saul is chasing donkeys.
Levi is collecting taxes.
Neither is praying in the temple. Neither is on retreat. Yet God steps directly into their ordinary work and changes everything.

This is how God usually moves, quietly, unexpectedly, inside normal life.

We may feel like our days are full of “lost donkey” errands: work, errands, fatigue, paperwork, family logistics, unfinished plans. But Scripture says: God is not waiting for a more spiritual version of our life to call us. He calls us where we are.

Saul is anointed with oil, not for status, but for service. The psalm reminds us that true strength is not personal greatness but dependence on God’s love. Identity rooted in performance will always shake; identity rooted in God will not be moved.

Then comes Levi. Jesus does not lecture him. He does not test him. He simply says, “Follow me.” And Levi gets up. That is grace: not perfection first, but movement.

When Jesus eats with sinners, He reveals God’s heart. The Church is not a museum of the holy, it is the waiting room of the Divine Physician. If we feel inconsistent, weak, distracted, or compromised, we are not disqualified. You are exactly who the Physician came for.

What is today asking us:

• Let God speak in our work, not just in prayer time.

• Build our worth on His love, not our performance.

• Bring our sickness to the Physician instead of hiding it.

• When He says, “Follow me,” rise, even if we don’t feel ready.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You called Saul in the middle of an errand
and Levi in the middle of his work.
Call me again today in the middle of my ordinary life.
Remind me that I am anointed for your service,
not by my strength but by your love.
Heal what is sick in me,
and give me courage to rise and follow you.

Saint Anthony, Abbot, pray for us. 

Amen.

God bless you

Have a great weekend 

Pal Ronnie 

AI Will Note Save Us

 

Credit: Business Insider 

President Trump Received Nobel Prize from Venezuela and Not Oslo I can Explain in Person

 

Mass Readings and Reflection for January 16, 2026

First Reading: (1 Samuel 8:4–7, 10–22a)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 89:16–17, 18–19)

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Alleluia: (Luke 7:16)

A great prophet has arisen in our midst; God has visited his people.

Gospel: (Mark 2:1–12)

Reflection: “Choosing the Wrong King”

Israel’s request for a king reveals a deep spiritual truth:
When we feel insecure, we often choose human solutions over divine trust.

God isn’t angry because they want leadership—
He is grieved because they want to replace Him with something visible, predictable, and controllable.

Just like Israel:

• We sometimes choose comfort over calling.

• We choose human approval over God’s direction.

• We choose what “everyone else is doing” instead of what God is inviting us to do.

The Gospel completes the message beautifully.
The people in Capernaum also come to Jesus with a need—but instead of rejecting Him, they break open a roof to get closer.

Two crowds.
Two responses.
Two outcomes.

Israel says:

“We want another king.”

The friends of the paralytic say:

“We want Jesus, no matter what it takes.”

Spiritual Takeaway for Today

• Autonomy without God becomes slavery.
  Israel wanted independence, but Samuel warned it would lead to oppression.

• Faith breaks roofs.
  When we bring our deepest needs to Jesus, He gives more than we ask—not just healing, but forgiveness and restoration.

• Let God be King again.
  Not just in crisis, but in decisions, relationships, finances, and identity.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings for Thursday, January 15, 2026

First Reading: (1 Samuel 4:1–11)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 44:10–11, 14–15, 24–25)

R. (27b) Redeem us, Lord, because of your mercy.

Alleluia

Matthew 4:23
“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.” 

Gospel: (Mark 1:40–45)

Reflection

Today’s readings juxtapose misplaced faith with compassionate encounter.

In the First Reading, Israel treats the Ark of the Covenant as a kind of talisman, presuming that God’s presence, symbolized by the ark, will automatically guarantee victory. Without true obedience, humility, or seeking God’s will, this faith becomes hollow and leads to catastrophic loss, including the capture of the ark itself.

The Psalm echoes this lament, pleading for mercy and for God not to hide His face, a profound acknowledgement that human efforts alone, no matter how religiously framed, are insufficient. 

In sharp contrast, the Gospel shows the true heart of God’s presence in Jesus. The leper approaches not a symbol, but the living Lord, with trust and humility. Jesus does not recoil; instead, moved by compassion, He touches what was considered unclean and restores what was broken. Jesus’ healing is relational and transformative, not magical or automatic.

Today’s call for us is to examine where we place our trust. Do we rely on outward signs or rituals as guarantees of God’s favor? Or do we come to Jesus personally, handing over our need for mercy and healing?

Like the leper, let us approach Him with humility and trust, confident that His touch restores and sends us forth to testify, not to keep silent, about the wonder of His mercy.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings and Reflection for January 14, 2026: The Call of Samuel

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: (1 Samuel 3:1–10, 19–20)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 40:2, 4, 7–8, 8–9, 10)

R. "Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will".

Alleluia: (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men,
but as it truly is, the word of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Mark 1:29–39)

Reflection

Today’s readings revolve around hearing God and responding to Him with availability. We pray and talk to God daily and He talks to us daily too but not the the ways our human minds can comprehend. 

In 1. Samuel: Learning to Recognize God’s Voice

Samuel doesn’t recognize the Lord at first.
He mistakes the divine call for something ordinary-Eli’s voice.

That’s us so often.
God speaks quietly, repeatedly, patiently.
But we need stillness, humility, and guidance to recognize Him.

Samuel’s prayer becomes the model for every disciple:

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

It’s not a prayer of demand.
It’s a prayer of surrender.

2. Jesus: Healing, Serving, and Retreating to Pray

The Gospel shows Jesus in constant motion:

• He heals

• He restores

• He teaches

• He casts out darkness

• He withdraws to pray

• He moves forward to the next mission

This rhythm is the Christian life:

Receive → Serve → Pray → Go forth

Simon’s mother-in-law is healed-and immediately begins to serve.
Healing leads to mission.

3. The Connection Between the Readings

Samuel listens.
Jesus acts.
Both reveal the heart of discipleship:

Availability.

God doesn’t ask for perfection.
He asks for openness.

“Here I am, Lord.”
“Speak, Lord.”
“I come to do your will.”

These are the three movements of a heart aligned with God.

Personal Takeaway for Today

I asked God for the grace to hear Him in the quiet moments,
and the courage to respond when He calls. Our world has grown perpetually noisy and we need the grace of God to hear Him when He calls.

Even if the call is small.
Even if the mission is simple.
Even if the next step is unclear.

Because every prophet begins the same way:

“Here I am.”

I hope you got something. Today's was definitely unique.

God bless you

Pal Ronnie

I Bet The Younger Generation Doesn't Know What This Is

 

Mass Readings January 13, 2026

Bible Verses for quick reference

1 Samuel 1:9–20
1 Samuel 2:1, 4–5, 6–7, 8abcd
1 Thessalonians 2:13
Mark 1:21–28

First Reading: (1 Samuel 1:9–20)

Responsorial Psalm: (1 Samuel 2:1, 4–5, 6–7, 8)

Response: "My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior".

Alleluia: (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

Alleluia, alleluia.
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Mark 1:21–28)

REFLECTION

“God hears the hidden prayer.”

Today’s readings revolve around God’s response to the sincere heart.

Hannah’s silent prayer
Hannah’s lips move, but no sound comes out. Her prayer is raw, wordless, and born from deep pain. Yet God hears what no one else can hear.
Her story reminds us that:

• God is not moved by eloquence, but by honesty.
• Even when others misunderstand us, God understands perfectly.
• Prayer changes us before it changes our circumstances—Hannah leaves with peace before she conceives.

Jesus’ authority in the Gospel
In Capernaum, Jesus speaks and acts with a divine authority that:

• Confronts evil directly.
• Restores dignity.
• Reveals who He truly is: the Holy One of God.

The unclean spirit recognizes Jesus before the crowd does. Sometimes darkness sees the light more clearly than those who stand near it.

The connection
Hannah’s prayer and Jesus’ authority meet in one truth:
God intervenes powerfully in the lives of those who turn to Him.
Hannah’s womb is opened.
A tormented man is freed.
A community witnesses the power of God breaking into ordinary life.

For your day

• Bring God the prayer you can’t put into words.
• Trust that He hears what others overlook.
• Let Jesus speak with authority into the places of your life that feel chaotic or oppressed.
• Expect God to act, not always instantly, but always faithfully.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass readings for today, Monday, January 12, 2026

First Reading: (1 Samuel 1:1-8)

Responsorial Psalm:

(Psalm 116:12-13, 14-17, 18-19)
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

Alleluia Verse

Alleluia.
The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel. (cf. Mark 1:15) 

Gospel: (Mark 1:14-20)

Reflection

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on God’s call and our response.

In the first reading, Hannah’s hardship and longing remind us that God sees the silent struggles of the heart. Even in pain and waiting, her story begins a deeper journey toward trust in God’s providence.

The Gospel shows Jesus calling ordinary men, fishermen, to follow Him. Their immediate response illustrates openness and readiness to leave behind what is familiar to embrace a new mission in Christ.

Spiritual insights:

• Like Hannah, we can bring our deep longings and sufferings to God with trust.

• Like the first disciples, we are challenged to respond promptly and wholeheartedly to Christ’s call in our lives.

• Today’s Alleluia reminds us that the Kingdom of God is near when we repent and believe in Jesus’ good news.

On further proclamation of 

“The Kingdom of God is at hand.”

This announcement is not simply a warning or a distant promise; it is an invitation. Jesus proclaims that God’s reign is breaking into the world now, not only in some future age. Wherever mercy triumphs over judgment, wherever forgiveness replaces resentment, wherever the poor are lifted and the broken are healed, the Kingdom is already unfolding.

It calls for a response.

Not fear, but readiness.

Not passivity, but conversion, turning of the heart toward God’s way of seeing, loving, and acting.

To say the Kingdom is at hand is to recognize that God is closer than we imagine, working in the ordinary, stirring in our conscience, and inviting us to participate in His renewal of the world. It is both comfort and challenge: comfort because God is near, and challenge because His nearness asks us to live differently.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings and Reflection for January 11, 2026 Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Readings:

First Reading: (Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 29:1–2, 3–4, 9–10)
“Give to the LORD the glory due his name; the voice of the LORD is over the waters… the LORD will bless his people with peace.”

Second Reading: (Acts 10:34–38)

Gospel: (Matthew 3:13–17)

Theological Reflection

1. The Servant and the Mission (Isaiah)

Isaiah’s prophecy heralds the Servant of the Lord: meek, healing, steadfast in bringing justice without force. This Servant models divine mercy and patience, illuminating Christ’s compassion and mission to uplift humanity gently, yet in a resolute way.

2. Divine Glory and Peace (Psalm)

The psalm emphasizes God’s majesty through imagery of thunder, waters, and commanding presence. Its refrain, “The Lord will bless his people with peace,” invites us to trust in God’s power and seek spiritual rest amidst life’s storms through His transformative voice.

3. Jesus’ Anointing and Inclusive Mission (Acts)

Peter proclaims God’s impartial love: Jesus was anointed by the Spirit to preach peace and act justly. His healing ministry affirmed that Christ’s redemption transcends barriers of nationality, race, or condition, embodying universal love and justice.

4. Baptism as Revelation and Commission (Gospel)

Christ’s baptism is a pivotal moment of divine self-revelation. Though sinless, Jesus submits to baptism, fulfilling righteous obedience and accepting His redemptive role. The descent of the Spirit echoes the Spirit poured out at Sinai, affirming Jesus as Israel’s Messiah. God’s voice declares belovedness, setting the stage for the mission.

Deep Theological Themes

Christ the Quiet Servant

Jesus embodies Isaiah’s Servant: compassionate, unassuming, persistent in justice. His ministry lifts wounds gently, enabling humanity’s renewal and illustrating leadership rooted in humility and care.

Trinitarian Revelation

At the Jordan, the Trinity is revealed: the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends, the Father affirms. This unity invites believers into the divine life and calls us to discipleship in love and mission.

Universal Mission

Acts surfaces the early Church’s shift from Jewish confines to global mission. Baptism becomes the gateway into Christ’s body, commissioning believers “to bring about freedom and light, justice and healing” for all.

Our Baptismal Call

We are called to embody the silent strength of the Servant, to speak God’s voice of peace amidst chaos, and to live out inclusion and justice. Our baptism is not just an event, but an ongoing challenge to align our lives with Christ’s mission: mercy, compassion, healing, and peace.

God bless,
Pal Ronnie

Mass Readings and Reflection for Saturday, January 10, 2026

First Reading: (1 John 5:14–21)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 149:1–2, 3–4, 5–6a, 9b)

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

Alleluia: (Matthew 4:16)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light; on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (John 3:22–30)

Reflection

Today’s readings draw us into the heart of Christian confidence and mission, confidence in God’s listening presence and clarity about our place in God’s story.

In the First Reading, St. John teaches us that when we pray according to God’s will, we can know our prayers are heard. We’re reminded that not all wrongs are equal in their spiritual consequences, and we are called to intercede for one another, especially when sin is not the ultimate separation from God. At the core of this passage is the assurance that those born of God are protected from the ultimate power of evil. As believers, we belong to God because the Son of God has revealed the truth to us, and we are called to remain in that truth. 

The Gospel offers a beautiful lesson in humility and identity from John the Baptist. John’s disciples are concerned about Jesus drawing more attention and followers. But John’s response reveals the heart of authentic discipleship: Jesus must increase; I must decrease. He recognizes his role, not as the light, but as the voice preparing the way for the Light. This profound humility doesn’t diminish John; instead, it brings him joy because he sees God working beyond himself.

How does this speak to us today?

• Are our prayers shaped by God’s will or our own desires?

• Do we pray confidently, trusting that God hears and answers according to what is best for us and others?

• Are we willing to let Christ increase in our lives even if it means releasing our own agendas and ego?

Christ invites us into deeper trust and greater surrender, that in making room for Him, we find our true life and joy.

God bless you 🙏 

Pal Ronnie 

Caption It

 

January 9, 2026: Friday After Epiphany

Bible Verses for Reference

First Reading: (1 John 5:5–13)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 147:12–13, 14–15, 19–20)

R. O Jerusalem, glorify the Lord!

Gospel: (Luke 5:12–16)

Alleluia

“Jesus was proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and affliction among the people.”

Reflection:

“I Will; Be Clean.”

Today’s readings revolve around testimony, healing, and the inner life of faith.

1. Faith That Overcomes the World

John reminds us that the believer is not powerless.
To believe in Christ is not merely intellectual, it is participation in his victory.

The Spirit, the water, and the blood testify that Jesus is the Son of God, and whoever holds this testimony already carries eternal life within.

This is not future tense.
It is present reality.

2. The Leper’s Prayer Is the Perfect Prayer

The man with leprosy approaches Jesus with:

• Humility: he falls on his face

• Honesty: he acknowledges his condition

• Faith: “You can make me clean”

• Surrender: “If you will…”

This is the posture of a heart ready for healing.

3. Jesus’ Touch Changes Everything

Leprosy made a person untouchable.
Jesus does not heal from a distance—he touches the man.

He steps into the place of shame, isolation, and fear.

Where we expect rejection, Jesus offers contact.
Where we expect judgment, he offers mercy.
Where we expect delay, he offers immediacy:

“I will; be clean.”

4. Healing Requires Cooperation

The Gospel notes that Jesus sends the man to the priest.
Grace heals, but obedience completes the healing.
God’s work and our cooperation always meet.

5. Even in Ministry, Jesus Withdraws to Pray

Crowds press in.
Needs multiply.
But Jesus steps away to pray.

If the Son of God needed solitude with the Father, how much more do we?

Takeaway for Today

• Believe boldly: faith is already victory.

• Pray like the leper: humble, honest, trusting, surrendered.

• Let Jesus touch the places you hide: he is not afraid of your wounds.

• Cooperate with grace: healing is both gift and response.

• Protect your prayer life: even Jesus withdrew to pray.

Daily Mass Reading For January 7, 2026

First Reading: (1 John 4:)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13)

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Alleluia: (1 Timothy 3:16)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the Gentiles… believed in throughout the world.

Gospel: (Mark 6:45-52)

Reflection

Today’s readings invite us into a deeper encounter with love, the foundational reality of our faith.

In 1 John, Saint John doesn’t offer a philosophical definition of love, he gives us God Himself: “God is love.” He reveals that love isn’t simply a feeling or an abstract ideal, but an abiding presence of God in us. Because God first loved us, shown supremely in sending His Son as Savior, we are empowered to love one another. When we choose love, we participate in divine life.

But this love isn’t sentimental, it is transformational. It goes beyond what is easy or safe. Perfect love drives out fear. Fear, according to the reading, is connected with judgment and punishment. But Christ’s love frees us, not through avoidance of consequences, but by placing us in God’s merciful embrace. When we live in love, we live in God and God lives in us.

A Boat in the Storm, and Christ Walking on Water

In the Gospel from Mark, the disciples are exhausted, caught in the boat, buffeted by wind and darkness. They strain, working with all their strength, yet the waves still toss them. Then Jesus comes, not by boat, but walking on the sea.

Their fear is familiar: the unknown, the threat, the sense of being overwhelmed. But before they even fully recognize who is with them, Jesus speaks: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.” His presence calms the storm.

This scene becomes a powerful image for our own lives:

• The boat, our efforts and plans.

• The storm, life’s fears: illness, broken relationships, uncertainty.

• Jesus on the water, His presence beyond all natural expectations.

• His words, an invitation to trust rather than fear.

From Fear to Faith

Like the disciples, we can find ourselves so focused on the storm that we fail to recognize Christ’s presence. Love has come to us not as a distant idea but as a person, Emmanuel, God with us. When we allow His love to dwell in our hearts, fear loses its power. We begin to see Christ not just in the calm but within the chaos, guiding and steadying us.

God bless you 🙏 

Amen.

Pal Ronnie 

January 6th Readings & Reflection: The Epiphany of the Lord

First Reading: (Isaiah 60:1–6)

(Reference: Isaiah 60:1–6, see the full text on the USCCB site.) 

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–11, 12–13)

Responsorial antiphon (USCCB): “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”

Second Reading: (Ephesians 3:2–3a, 5–6)

Alleluia, Matthew 2:2 (verse)

Alleluia verse (USCCB): “We have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship the Lord.”

Gospel: (Matthew 2:1–12)

(Matthew 2:1–12)

Reflection

The feast of the Epiphany skates across the surface of the Nativity story and then plunges us into its deepest truth: God’s light is not for a chosen few but for all peoples. Isaiah’s soaring image of a city bathed in a new brightness anticipates the surprising direction of salvation, a light that draws nations, gifts, and pilgrim hearts toward the same tiny manger. The magi, foreigners who follow a star, model the human longing for truth and the humility to seek it beyond familiar borders.

Ephesians names the theological explanation: the “mystery” revealed in Christ, that Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body. The Epiphany shows that God’s covenantal love ruptures the walls humans build between one another. Worship at the manger is not a private devotion; it is the first public sign that God’s mercy reconfigures identity and belonging. The magi’s gifts, gold, frankincense, myrrh, are not merely exotic tributes; they are signs that the King’s rule draws the world into a new economy of giving, reverence, and sacrifice.

Practically, this feast calls us to three simple responses:

1. Look up and follow, cultivate the readiness to see God’s signs (in Scripture, in the poor, in the stranger) and to be willing to move.

2. Cross boundaries, let the gospel stretch your loyalties beyond tribe, nation, or comfort zone so that you, too, can receive and share God’s hospitality.

3. Offer what you have, whether small or costly, our gifts offered with reverence participate in God’s work of reconciling the world.

On this Epiphany, may we be led again by the star, not to a single place of nostalgia but into the ongoing journey of worship and witness. Like the magi, let us go home by another way: transformed, bearing the light we have seen, ready to point others toward it.

Mass Readings for Monday, January 5, 2026

First Reading: (1 John 3:22–4:6)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 2:7bc–8, 10–12a)

R. I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.

Alleluia Verse: (Matthew 4:23)

“Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom and healed every disease and every infirmity among the people.”

Gospel: (Matthew 4:12–17, 23–25)

Reflection

1. Prayer & Obedience

John reminds us that answered prayer flows from two sources: God’s will and our faithfulness. “We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments.” Obedience rooted in love opens our hearts to God’s generosity.

2. Love: The Core Commandment

John emphasizes the twin pillars of faith: believing in Jesus and loving one another. Christian identity isn’t internal, it is shown through our relationships, echoing Christ’s command: “love one another just as I have loved you.”

3. Spiritual Discernment

Testing the spirits is an active exercise in faith. It requires humility and wisdom to resist false teachings and embrace the Spirit that affirms Jesus’ Incarnation and Lordship. We are called to grow in discernment, through prayer, Scripture, and community.

4. Christ: The Light in Darkness

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus begins his public ministry under the shadow of John’s arrest, a moment of darkness. Yet it signals dawn: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” Christ brings illumination, healing, and the call to repentance. Darkness and danger cannot extinguish His light.

5. Healing for Many

Jesus’ ministry is marked by acts of compassion. His healing restores both body and soul-an outward sign of the Kingdom breaking through. His fame spread because His love was real, tangible, transformative.

How This Speaks to Us Today

• Where can obedience and prayer intersect in your life right now? What commandments of Jesus might you invite into deeper practice, perhaps forgiveness, generosity, or daily kindness?
• How is God calling your spirit to test teachings or influences? In a world flooded with voices, faithful spirituality requires vigilant discernment.
• Christ is still revealing light in our world’s darkness. Who is walking through their darkness today? How might you become an instrument of Christ’s healing and hope?
• The light shines through love in action. Like St. John Neumann, let us commit to practical service, caring for the vulnerable and sharing Christ’s healing presence.

Duty call is over. Scripture readings completed. 

God bless you

Pal Ronnie 

Mass on Sunday, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord January 4, 2026

First Reading: (Isaiah 60:1–6)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 72)

"All nations on earth shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord".

Alleluia

We saw His star at its rising and have come to do Him homage.

Gospel: (Matthew 2:1–12)

Reflection: 

"Jesus, the True Shining Star"

The Epiphany reveals Jesus as the light for all nations, the star that never fades. The magi teach us five essential lessons:

1. Follow the True Star

The wise men were guided by a star that led them directly to Christ.
We often chase “stardom” - success, admiration, achievement-but every earthly star eventually fades.
Jesus alone shines forever.
If we follow Him, His light leads us to the Father.

2. Offer Him Your Gifts

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolize Christ’s kingship, divinity, and saving death.
We too are invited to offer Him our gifts, our talents, time, sacrifices, and love.

3. Give Him Homage

The magi fell down in worship.
Do we approach God with reverence?
Do we pray, enter church, and live as though we truly stand before a King?

4. Do Not Participate in Evil

The magi refused to cooperate with Herod’s deceit.
We are called to the same courage, to refuse gossip, injustice, manipulation, or harm, even silently.

5. Do Not Become Like Herod

Herod feared losing power.
His insecurity led to jealousy, deceit, and violence.
We too can “kill” others with envy, pretense, or malice.
Jesus saves; Herod destroys.
We must choose which path we walk.

Our Lord, Jesus Christ is the one true star who leads us safely to God.
If we follow His light, we not only avoid the darkness of jealousy and fear, we become radiant ourselves.

May Jesus, the shining star, guide your steps and fill your life with His light.

Amen

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Reflection Saturday, January 3, 2026 Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

First Reading:  (1 John 2:29, 3:1–6)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 98)
Response: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

The Gospel: (John 1:29–34).

Reflection

Today's Reflection is inspired by “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’”

John the Baptist recognizes Jesus, points Him out, and reveals Him to his followers as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This single sentence is filled with deep meaning and profound significance.

What is striking is John’s choice of image.
Why a lamb?

Why not the lion of God?
Why not the tiger of God?
Why not the goat, the horse, or the eagle of God?

Why the Lamb of God?

The lamb symbolizes innocence, docility, humility, and willingness. Among animals, lambs are gentle and easily led. They do not resist. They do not fight back. They submit.

The prophet Isaiah captures this image beautifully when he describes the suffering servant:

“Like a lamb led to the slaughter, he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

Jesus endured insults, mockery, beating, and humiliation. He was spat upon. He was falsely accused. Yet He spoke no word in His defense. He did not retaliate. He did not argue. He did not fight back.

Like a lamb, He went willingly.

Not because He was weak.
Not because He lacked power.
Not because He was foolish.

Rather, He chose to act this way.

He chose to bear suffering so that greater harm might be avoided.
He chose silence so that peace might be achieved.
He chose the cross so that salvation might be won.

Even as He was nailed to the cross, He prayed:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Before Pilate, when accused of many things, Pilate himself was astonished:
“Do you have nothing to say in response?”
But Jesus remained silent, like a lamb.

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

But how does a lamb take away sin?

Jesus fulfills what was foreshadowed in Leviticus chapter 16, the ritual of the scapegoat. Each year, the sins of the people were symbolically placed upon a goat, which was then driven into the desert to die. The goat carried the sins of the people away.

Jesus becomes the final and perfect Lamb.
On Him, humanity placed its sins.
He carried them to the cross.
He died so that we might live.

We remember growing up hearing sayings like:
“Who will be the scapegoat?”
Or the story of “who will bell the cat?”

Everyone agrees something must be done, but no one wants to take the risk.

Jesus took the risk.
He bellied the cat.
He became the scapegoat.
He became the Lamb of God.

Application to Our Lives

The theme of today’s meditation is:

“Be the Lamb of God in your family.”

As we begin this New Year, God invites each of us to reflect deeply:

• Can you carry the burden of your family so that peace may reign?

• Can you accept blame, even when you are innocent, for the sake of harmony?

• Can you endure insult without retaliation so that unity is preserved?

Sometimes, peace costs something.
Sometimes, peace demands sacrifice.
Sometimes, peace requires silence.

You do not always need to prove your innocence.
You do not always need to defend your position.
You do not always need to win the argument.

There are moments when choosing to be the Lamb of God in your family, workplace, or community brings healing far greater than being right.

Let us pray for that grace.

Today’s celebration of the Most Holy Name of Jesus invites us to contemplate the mystery of salvation revealed through the Incarnation.

The name Jesus, announced by the Archangel Gabriel, means “God saves.”
Indeed, there is no other name by which we can be saved.

At the name of Jesus:

• Every knee must bow.

• Every tongue must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
  to the glory and praise of God the Father.

Let us show reverence for this Holy Name.
Let us not use it carelessly or in vain.
If we demand respect for our own names, how much more should we honor the Name that saves us?

The devil flees at the sound of the Name of Jesus.

Let us bow our hearts at its mention.
Let us invoke it with faith.
Let us live worthy of it.

Amen.

Inspired by 

Fr. Blessed

By Pal Ronnie