GOSPEL REFLECTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS: 01/16/24 (Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time)

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From the Gospel according to Mark

Mk 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath,

his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.

At this the Pharisees said to him,

“Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

He said to them,

“Have you never read what David did

when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?

How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest

and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat,

and shared it with his companions?”

Then he said to them,

“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.

That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

Words of the Holy Father:

Those like the Pharisees, Christians who put their faith, their religiosity, their Christianity, in laws: I must do this, I must do that. They are Christians out of habit, but in fact, “they do not know why they do it”. And where is Jesus? A law is valid if it comes from Jesus. (…) What then is the rule for being a Christian with Christ? And what is the “sign” that someone is in fact a Christian with Christ? It is simple, whatever leads you to Jesus is valid, and only what comes from Jesus is valid. Jesus is the centre, as he himself says it. Does this bring you to Jesus? Go ahead. Does this commandment, this attitude come from Jesus? Go ahead. But if it doesn't lead you to Jesus, and if it doesn't come from Jesus, then it's a bit dangerous. (…) If you can’t worship Jesus, something is missing. The rule is to follow what comes from Jesus and to do what leads to Jesus. The sign is adoration of Jesus, prayer and adoration before Jesus. May the Lord make us realise that He alone is Lord, the only Lord, and may He also give us the grace to love Him, to follow Him, to go the way He has taught us. (Santa Marta, 7 September 2013)

Source:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day/2024/01/16.html

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth