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Friday, 7 February 2025
 Friday, 4th week in Ordinary Time, Year 1
 Antiphons on page 773 and Readings on page 792 of the Daily Missal 

First Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27: 1.3.5.8c-9abc (R. 1a)

R/. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
 whom shall I fear?
 The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
 whom should I dread?

Though an army encamp against me,
 my heart would not fear.
 Though war break out against me,
 even then would I trust.

For there he keeps me safe in his shelter
 in the day of evil.
 He hides me under cover of his tent;
 he sets me high upon a rock.

It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;
 hide not your face from me.
 Dismiss not your servant in anger;
 you have been my help.

R/. 

Gospel: Mark 6:14-29

At that time: 
 King Herod heard of Jesus; 
 for his name had become known. 
 Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; 
 that is why these powers are at work in him.” 
 But others said, “It is Elijah.” 
 And others said, “It is a prophet, 
 like one of the prophets of old.” 

But when Herod heard of it he said, 
 “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 

For Herod had sent and seized John, 
 and bound him in prison 
 for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; 
 because he had married her. 
 For John said to Herod, 
 “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 
 And Herodias had a grudge against him 
 and wanted to kill him. 
 But she could not, for Herod feared John, 
 knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, 
 and kept him safe. 
 When he heard him, he was much perplexed; 
 and yet he heard him gladly. 

But an opportunity came 
 when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet 
 for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. 
 For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, 
 she pleased Herod and his guests; 
 and the king said to the girl, 
 “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” 
 And he vowed to her, 
 “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, 
 even half of my kingdom.” 

And she went out, and said to her mother, 
 “What shall I ask?” 

And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 

And she came in immediately with haste to the king, 
 and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once 
 the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 

And the king was exceedingly sorry, 
 but because of his oaths and his guests, 
 he did not want to break his word to her. 
 And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard 
 and gave orders to bring his head. 
 He went and beheaded him in the prison, 
 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; 
 and the girl gave it to her mother. 
 When his disciples heard of it, 
 they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Thursday 6 February 2025
Thursday 4th week in Ordinary Time, Year I
Sts. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
 Antiphons on page 1889 and readings on page 789 Daily Missal 

Entrance Antiphon
The souls of the Saints are rejoicing in heaven, the Saints who followed the footsteps of Christ, and since for love of him they shed their blood, they now exult with Christ for ever.

First Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19.21-24

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters:
 You have not come to what may be touched,
 a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest,
 and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice
 whose words made the hearers entreat
 that no further messages be spoken to them

Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said,
 “I tremble with fear.”
 But you have come to Mount Sion
 and to the city of the living God,
 the heavenly Jerusalem,
 and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
 and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven,
 and to a judge who is God of all,
 and to the spirits of just people made perfect,
 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
 and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously
 than the blood of Abel.

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 48:2-3ab.3cd-4.9-10-11 (R. 10)

R/. We have received Your mercy, O Lord,
 in the midst of Your temple.

Great is the Lord and highly to be praised 
 in the city of our God. 
 His holy mountain rises in beauty, 
 the joy of all the earth.

Mount Sion, in the heart of the North, 
 the city of the Mighty King! 
 God, in the midst of its citadels, 
 has shown himself its stronghold.

As we have heard, so we have seen 
 in the city of our God, 
 in the city of the Lord of hosts, 
 which God establishes forever. 

Your merciful love, O God, 
 we ponder in your temple. 
 Your praise, O God, like your name, 
 reaches the ends of the earth.
 Your right hand is filled with saving justice.

R/. We have received Your mercy, O Lord,
 in the midst of Your temple.

 Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

At that time:
 Jesus called to him the Twelve,
 and began to send them out two by two,
 and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff;
 no bread, no bag, no money in their belts;
 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.
 And he said to them, “Where you enter a house,
 stay there until you leave the place.
 And if any place will not receive you
 and they refuse to hear you,
 when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet
 for a testimony against them.”
 So they went out and preached that all people should repent.
 And they cast out many demons,
 and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, says the Lord, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.

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Wednesday 5 February 2025
 Wednesday, 4th week in Ordinary Time, Year 1
 Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
 Antiphons on page 1900 and readings on page 786 of the Daily Missal.

First Reading: Hebrews 12: 4-7, 11-15

Brothers and sisters:

In your struggle against sin 
 you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 
 And have you forgotten the exhortation 
 which addresses you as sons?—

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
 nor lose courage when you are punished by him.
 For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves,
 and chastises every son whom he receives.”

It is for discipline that you have to endure. 
 God is treating you as sons; 
 for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness 
 to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and 
 strengthen your weak knees, 
 and make straight paths for your feet, 
 so that what is lame may not be put out of joint 
 but rather be healed. 
 Strive for peace with all men, 
 and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 
 See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; 
 that no “root of bitterness” spring up and cause trouble, 
 and by it the many become defiled. 

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial psalm: Ps 103:1-2.13-14.17-18a (R. 17ab)

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
 and all within me, his holy name.
 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
 and never forget all his benefits.

As a father has compassion on his children,
 the Lord’s compassion is on those who fear him.
 For he knows of what we are made;
 he remembers that we are dust.

But the mercy of the Lord is everlasting
 upon those who hold him in fear,
 upon children’s children his justice,
 for those who keep his covenant.

R./ The mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

At that time:
 Jesus came to his own country;
 and his disciples followed him.
 And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue;
 and many who heard him were astonished, saying,
 “Where did this man get all this?
 What is the wisdom given to him?
 What mighty works are wrought by his hands!
 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary
 and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon,
 and are not his sisters here with us?”
 And they took offence at him.

And Jesus said to them,
 “A prophet is not without honour,
 except in his own country,
 and among his own kin, and in his own house.”
 And he could do no mighty work there,
 except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people
 and healed them.
 And he marvelled because of their unbelief.
 And he went about among the villages teaching.

The Gospel of the Lord

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Tuesday 4 February 2025
Tuesday, 4th week in Ordinary Time
 Antiphons on page 773 and readings on page 783 of the Daily Missal.

First Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22:26b-28 & 30.31-32 (R. see 27b)

R/. They will praise you, Lord, who seek you.

My vows I will pay before those who fear him.
 The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.
 They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him.
 May their hearts live on forever and ever!

All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord,
 all families of the nations worship before him,
 They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth;
 before him shall bow all who go down to the dust.

And my soul shall live for him, my descendants serve him.
 They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come,
 declare his saving justice to peoples yet unborn:
 “These are the things the Lord has done.”

R/. 

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

At that time: 
 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, 
 a great crowd gathered around him; 
 and he was by the sea. 
 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue, Jairus  by name; 
 and seeing him, he fell at his feet, and begged him, saying, 
 “My little daughter is at the point of death. 
 Come and lay your hands on her, 
 so that she may be made well, and live.” 
 And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 
 And there was a woman 
 who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, 
 and who had suffered much under many physicians, 
 and had spent all that she had, 
 and was no better but rather grew worse. 
 She had heard the reports about Jesus, 
 and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 
 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, 
 I shall be made well.” 
 And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; 
 and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 
 And Jesus, perceiving in himself 
 that power had gone forth from him, 
 immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, 
 “Who touched my garments?” 

And his disciples said to him, 
 “You see the crowd pressing around you, 
 and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 

And he looked around to see who had done it. 
 But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, 
 came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, 
 and told him the whole truth. 
 And he said to her, 
 “Daughter, your faith has made you well; 
 go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

While he was still speaking, 
 there came from the ruler’s house some who said, 
 “Your daughter is dead. 
 Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 
 But ignoring what they said, 
 Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, 
 “Do not fear, only believe.” 
 And he allowed no one to follow him 
 except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 
 When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, 
 he saw a tumult, 
 and people weeping and wailing loudly. 
 And when he had entered, he said to them, 
 “Why do you make a tumult and weep? 
 The child is not dead but sleeping.” 
 And they laughed at him. 
 But he put them all outside, 
 and took the child’s father and mother 

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Monday 3 February 2025
 Monday, 4th week in Ordinary Time, Year 1
 St Blaise, Bishop and Martyr
Antiphons on page 1893 and Readings on page 780 of the Daily Missal.

First Reading: Hebrews 11:32-40

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24 (R. 25)

R/. Be strong let your heart take courage,
 all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, Lord,
 that you keep for those who fear you,
 that you show to those who trust you
 in the sight of the children of men.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
 secure from human scheming;
 you keep them safe within your tent
 from disputing tongues.

Blest be the Lord for he has wondrously shown me
 his merciful love in a fortified city!

“I am far removed from your sight,”
 I said in my alarm.
 Yet you heard the voice of my plea
 when I cried to you for help.

Love the Lord, all you his saints.
 The Lord guards the faithful.
 But the Lord will repay to the full
 the one who acts with pride.

R/. 

Gospel: Mark 5:1-20

At that time:
 Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, 
 to the country of the Gerasenes. 
 And when he had come out of the boat, 
 there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 
 who lived among the tombs; 
 and no one could bind him any more, even with a chain;
 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, 
 but the chains he wrenched apart, 
 and the shackles he broke in pieces; 
 and no one had the strength to subdue him. 
 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains 
 he was always crying out, and bruising himself with stones. 
 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped him; 
 and crying out with a loud voice, he said, 
 “What have you to do with me, Jesus, 
 Son of the Most High God? 
 I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 
 For he had said to him, 
 “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 

And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” 

He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 
 And he begged him eagerly not to send them out of the country. 
 Now a great herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; 
 and they begged him, 
 “Send us to the swine, let us enter them.” 
 So he gave them leave. 
 And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; 
 and the herd, numbering about two thousand, 
 rushed down the steep bank into the sea, 
 and were drowned in the sea.

The herdsmen fled, 
 and told it in the city and in the country. 
 And people came to see what it was that had happened. 
 And they came to Jesus, 
 and saw the demoniac sitting there, 
 clothed and in his right mind, 
 the man who had had the legion; 
 and they were afraid. 
 And those who had seen it 
 told what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine. 
 And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their neighbourhood. 
 And as he was getting into the boat, 
 the man who had been possessed with demons 
 begged him that he might be with him. 
 But he refused, and said to him, 
 “Go home to your friends, 
 and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, 
 and how he has had mercy on you.” 
 And he went away and began to p

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Sunday, 02 February 2025
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
 Readings and Antiphons on p. 1560 of the DailyMissal.

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:7.8.9.10 (R. cf. 10bc)

O gates, lift high your heads;
 grow higher, ancient doors.
 Let him enter, the king of glory!

Who is this king of glory?
 The Lord, the mighty, the valiant;
 the Lord, the valiant in war.

O gates, lift high your heads;
 grow higher, ancient doors.
 Let him enter, the king of glory!

Who is this king of glory?
 He, the Lord of hosts,
 he is the king of glory.

R/. The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory!

Second Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

And when the time came for their purification 
 according to the law of Moses, 
 the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem 
 to present him to the Lord 
 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, 
 “Every male that opens the womb 
 shall be called holy to the Lord”) 
 and to offer a sacrifice 
 according to what is said in the law of the Lord, 
 “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, 
 and this man was righteous and devout, 
 looking for the consolation of Israel, 
 and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 
 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit 
 that he should not see death 
 before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 
 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; 
 and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, 
 to do for him according to the custom of the law, 
 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 
 “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, 
 according to your word;
 for my eyes have seen your salvation 
 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 
 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, 
 and for glory to thy people Israel.” 

And his father and his mother 
 marvelled at what was said about him; 
 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 
 “Behold, this child is set 
 for the fall and rising of many in Israel, 
 and for a sign that is spoken against 
 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), 
 that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” 

And there was a prophetess, Anna, 
 the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; 
 she was of a great age, 
 having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 
 and as a widow, till she was eighty-four. 
 She did not depart from the temple, 
 worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. 
 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God,
 and spoke of him to all who were looking 
 for the redemption of Jerusalem. 
 And when they had performed everything 
 according to the law of the Lord, 
 they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 
 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; 
 and the favour of God was upon him.

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Saturday, 1 February 2025
Saturday, 3rd Week in Ordinary Time – Year 1
 Memorial of Blessed Benedict Daswa
 Antiphons on p. 1893 Readings on p. 769 and of the Daily Missal.

First Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

Brothers and sisters: 
 Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, 
 the conviction of things not seen. 
 For by it the people of old received divine approval. 

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called 
 to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; 
 and he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, 
 as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, 
 heirs with him of the same promise. 
 For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, 
 whose builder and maker is God. 
 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, 
 even when she was past the age, 
 since she considered him faithful who had promised. 
 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, 
 were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven 
 and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

These all died in faith, 
 not having received what was promised, 
 but having seen it and greeted it from afar, 
 and having acknowledged that they were strangers 
 and exiles on the earth. 
 For people who speak thus 
 make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 
 If they had been thinking of that land 
 from which they had gone out, 
 they would have had opportunity to return. 
 But as it is, they desire a better country, 
 that is, a heavenly one. 
 Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, 
 for he has prepared for them a city.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, 
 and he who had received the promises 
 was ready to offer up his only son, 
 of whom it was said, 
 “Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.” 
 He considered that God was able to raise men 
 even from the dead; 
 hence he did receive him back, 
 and this was a symbol.

Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:69-70.71-72.76-75 (R. see 68)

R/. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
 for he has visited his people.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
 in the house of his servant David,
 as he spoke through the mouth of his 
 holy prophets from of old.

That we would be saved from our enemies 
 and from the hand of all who hate us. 
 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
 and has remembered his holy covenant.

The oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 
 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
 might serve him without fear, 
 in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.

R/

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, 
 Jesus said to his disciples, 
 “Let us go across to the other side.” 
 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them, 
 just as he was, in the boat. 
 And other boats were with him. 

And a great storm of wind arose, 
 and the waves beat into the boat, 
 so that the boat was already filling. 
 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; 
 and they woke him and said to him, 
 “Teacher, do you not care&n

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Friday 31 January 2025
Friday, Third week in Ordinary Time, Year I
Memorial St John Bosco,Priest
Antiphons on page 1920 and Readings on page 766 Daily Missal

First Reading: Hebrews 10:32-39

Brothers and sisters:
 Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened,
 you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,
 sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction,
 and sometimes being partners with those so treated.
 For you had compassion on the prisoners,
 and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property,
 since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession
 and an abiding one.
 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence,
 which has a great reward.
 For you have need of endurance,
 so that you may do the will of God
 and receive what is promised.
“For yet a little while,
 and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry;
 but my righteous one shall live by faith,
 and if he shrinks back,
 my soul has no pleasure in him.”

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed,
 but of those who have faith and keep their souls.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 37:3-4.5-6.23-24.39-40 (R. 39a)

R/. From the Lord comes the salvation of the just.

Trust in the Lord and do good; 
 then you will dwell in the land and safely pasture. 
 Find your delight in the Lord, 
 who grants your heart’s desire.

Commit your way to the Lord; 
 trust in him, and he will act, 
 and make your uprightness shine like the light, 
 the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

By the Lord are the steps made firm 
 of one in whose path He delights. 
 Though he stumble he shall never fall, 
 for the Lord will hold him by the hand.

But from the Lord comes the salvation of the just, 
 their stronghold in time of distress. 
 The Lord helps them and rescues them, 
 rescues and saves them from the wicked: 
 because they take refuge in him.

R/. From the Lord comes the salvation of the just.

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

At that time:
 Jesus said to the crowds,
 “The kingdom of God is as if a man 
 should scatter seed upon the ground,
 and should sleep and rise night and day,
 and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how.
 The earth produces of itself,
 first the blade, then the ear,
 then the full grain in the ear.
 But when the grain is ripe,
 at once he puts in the sickle,
 because the harvest has come.”

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God,
 or what parable shall we use for it?
 It is like a grain of mustard seed,
 which, when sown upon the ground,
 is the smallest of all the seeds on earth;
 yet when it is sown it grows up
 and becomes the greatest of all shrubs,
 and puts forth large branches,
 so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them,
 as they were able to hear it;
 he did not speak to them without a parable,
 but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

The Gospel of the Lord

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Thursday 30 January 2025
Thursday 3rd week in Ordinary Time, Year I.
Antiphons on page 748 and Readings on page 764 of the Daily Missal 

Entrance Antiphon:
O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.

First Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters: 
since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary
by the blood of Jesus,
by the new and living way
which he opened for us through the curtain,
that is, through his flesh,
and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for he who promised is faithful;
and let us consider
how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together,
as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another,
and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24: 1-2.3-4ab.5-6 (R. see 6)

R/. These are the people who seek your face, O Lord.

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, 
the world, and those who dwell in it. 
It is he who set it on the seas; 
on the rivers he made it firm. 

Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? 
Who shall stand in his holy place? 
The clean of hands and pure of heart, 
whose soul is not set on vain things,

Blessings from the Lord shall he receive, 
and right reward from the God who saves him. 
Such are the people who seek him, 
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

R/. These are the people who seek your face, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation:
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light to my path.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 4:21-25

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

At that time:
Jesus said to the crowd,
“Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel,
or under a bed, and not on a stand?
For there is nothing hidden, except to be made manifest;
nor is anything secret, except to come to light.
If any one has ears to hear, let him hear.”
And he said to them, “Take heed what you hear;
the measure you give will be the measure you get,
and still more will be given you.
For to the one who has, will more be given;
and from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 33:6
Look towards the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.

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Wednesday 29 January 2025
Wednesday 3rd week in Ordinary Time, Year I
Antiphons on page 748 and Readings on page 760 of the Daily Missal

First Reading: Hebrews 10:11-18

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 110:1-4 (R. 4cd)

R/. You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The Lord’s revelation to my lord: 
“Sit at my right hand, 
until I make your foes your footstool.” 

The Lord will send from Sion 
your sceptre of power: 
rule in the midst of your foes. 

With you is princely rule 
on the day of your power. 
In holy splendour, from the womb before the dawn,
I have begotten you. 

The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change: 
“You are a priest forever, 
in the line of Melchizedek.”

R/

Gospel: Mark 4:1-20

At that time:
Again Jesus began to teach beside the sea.
And a very large crowd gathered about him,
so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea;
and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.
And he taught them many things in parables,
and in his teaching he said to them: 

“Listen! A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path,
and the birds came and devoured it.
Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil,
and immediately it sprang up,
since it had no depth of soil;
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and since it had no root it withered away.
Other seed fell among thorns
and the thorns grew up and choked it,
and it yielded no grain.
And other seeds fell into good soil and brought forth grain,
growing up and increasing
and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

And when he was alone,
those who were about him with the Twelve
asked him concerning the parables.
And he said to them,
“To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God,
but for those outside everything is in parables;
so that they may indeed see but not perceive,
and may indeed hear but not understand;
lest they should turn again, and be forgiven.”

And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable?
How then will you understand all the parables?
The sower sows the word.

And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown;
when they hear, Satan immediately comes
and takes away the word which is sown in them.

And these in like manner are the ones sown upon rocky ground,
who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy;
and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while;
then, when tribulation or persecution arises
on account of the word,
immediately they fall away.

And others are the ones sown among thorns;
they are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world,
and the delight in riches,
and the desire for other things,
enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

But those that were sown upon the good soil
are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit,
thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”