Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection January 31, 2025
3rd Week in Ordinary Time
31st January 2025 (Friday)
Psalter: Week 3
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Hebrews 10:32-39
Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense. You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised. For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay. But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him. We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.
Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40 (R. 39a)
R/. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Friday – 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: God wants us to grow and make a progressive progress. The beginnings may be small, but when grown, our life can become very beneficial to many
We should constantly plant and nurture the seed of God’s kingdom within us. Like any seed, its growth does not entirely depend on us. It is God who puts life into it and gives growth. What we are expected to do is to plant it and provide the necessary care. And like the mustard seed, it grows to a mighty tree to give shelter and shade to many. The beginnings may be small and humble. But the end fruits can be great and plenty.
Often, there is a tendency to judge the greatness of persons on the basis of their beginnings and backgrounds. But that is not right. A mustard seed is tiny and insignificant in its beginnings. But as it grows, it becomes huge and sheltering. Seeds are small when planted, but when grown, they become a rich harvest.
In the light of these examples, we are called to flourish and to become productive and beneficial to others. The test of the quality of our life and faith is this criterion of growth and productivity. The first reading from the letter to Hebrews too cautions us not to shrink back, because God is not pleased with shrinking.
We must not throw away our confidence. Instead, we must keep our souls and live by faith. We must continue being enlightened. We must endure and do the will of God, in spite of the possible struggles and sufferings, even abuse and affliction. But, that will not be a waste. We will receive a great reward that is promised.
This is what St John Bosco did all through his life. He always nurtured the seeds of God’s kingdom. It spread and gave shelter to so many, attracting not only many to the congregation he founded but also many youngsters near to God through the innovative way of oratory.
My Practice: We reap what we sow. The quality and abundance of fruit depends on the quality of the plant. It is our choice to make between God’s kingdom and evil kingdom