Bible Diary for February 12th – 18th

February 12
Sunday

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Lv 13:1-2, 44-46
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch which appears to be the sore of leprosy, he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest, or to one of the priests among his descendants.

If the man is leprous and unclean, the priest shall declare him unclean by reason of the sore on his head. “The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard; he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’

As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean, since he is in fact unclean. He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.”

Reading 2 1 Cor 10:31-11:1
Brothers and sisters, Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Gospel Mk 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning the him sternly, he dismissed him at once. He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Reflection:
Jesus continues to demonstrate his power over evil by healing the leper. When the man found out that he was healed from leprosy, he proclaimed about the awesome power of Jesus. Jesus did not only free the man from physical ailment but set him free to give witness to Jesus. What hinders us from becoming free to preach about Jesus? Do we have the guts to ask Jesus to set us totally free to serve him wholeheartedly? When we are sick, do we only pray for physical healing or do we ask to be whole again to serve the Lord wholeheartedly? Ask for total liberation to follow Jesus in a radical way. Try to be part of a healing ministry that is holistic in nature, that is, not only praying or working for physical healing but for integral human development.

February 13
Monday

Reading 1 Jas 1:1-11
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind.

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways. The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in high standing, and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.”

For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Gospel Mk 8:11-13
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign?

Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

Reflection:
A characteristic of the age of Jesus was a mad thirst for ‘signs.’ The pseudo-messiah Theudas promised that he would enable his followers to march across the river Jordan dry-shod (an attempt to echo Moses at the Red Sea). Jesus would have nothing to do with such a spectacular hoaxing. “I tell you for a fact, no sign will be given to this generation.” The Presence of God is not some spectacular novelty, but something that pervades all of life, as the yeast pervades the lump of dough.

February 14
Tuesday

St. Valentine

St. Cyril and Methodius

Reading 1 Jas 1:12-18
Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.

No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one.

Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.

He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Gospel Mk 8:14-21
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend?

Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?”

They answered him, “Twelve.”

“When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?”

They answered him, “Seven.”

He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

Reflection:
Jesus sounds like an impatient teacher today: “Do you not understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed… Do you not remember?” The word used for ‘closed’ is the same that he used elsewhere to describe the minds of the Pharisees! The disciples had to keep their wits about them in his presence! Where did we get the idea that sentimental attachment to him is enough? We have sentimentalized the Faith to the point where many men – certainly many young men – would be ashamed to admit that they were Christians. Worst of all are the images of repository art: he looks out at you through cocker-spaniel eyes, his head tilted weakly to one side, pleading for affection! When will we see an image of Jesus where his eyes penetrate to the depths of your soul?

February 15
Wednesday

Reading 1 Jas 1:19-27
Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger for anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God.

Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.

He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts; such a one shall be blessed in what he does.

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Gospel Mk 8:22-26
When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.

Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?” Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.”

Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”

Reflection:
There is one distinct thing about the miracle described in today’s reading: it is the only miracle of Jesus that happened gradually. Usually his miracles take sudden and complete effect. The gradual dawning of truth is a fact of experience. There are sometimes sudden breakthroughs, but they usually come at the end of a long preparation. The trust isn’t always obvious to us, even though it is pure light in itself. Our eyes are clouded; and colds, we know, have hazy boundaries. But the Lord is patient with us, even as he shouts at us to wake up!

February 16
Thursday

Reading 1 Jas 2:1-9
My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person with shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please,” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?

Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom that he promised to those who love him? But you dishonored the poor.

Are not the rich oppressing you? And do they themselves not haul you off to court? Is it not they who blaspheme the noble name that was invoked over you?

However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Gospel Mk 8:27-33
Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply,

“John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.”

Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.

He spoke this openly.

Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Reflection:
Peter’s profession of faith is a breakthrough and Jesus tells Peter to tell no one about him. This is called the Messianic Secret. The reason for it, probably, is that the current expectations of the Messiah in no way matched the reality of Jesus. People expected the Messiah to be a political leader. Peter began to show signs of a deeper understanding. The second part of his teaching begins; it will end with the crucifixion and resurrection. He is to be a totally different kind of Messiah. His way is to be the way of suffering, humility, and defeat.

February 17
Friday

Seven Founders of the Order of Servites

Reading 1 Jas 2:14-24, 26
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?

Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?

So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble.

Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?

You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. Thus the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God.

See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Gospel Mk 8:34?9:1
Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”

Reflection:
Yesterday’s gospel passage introduced the scandalous theme of suffering. Today’s gospel reading focuses on the same theme. Jesus was trying to draw the disciples into a deeper understanding of his identity. It was his hardest lesson, and it has to be learned over and over again. It is not only about him, but it is also about us. “If you choose to save your life you will lose it; and if you lose your life for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel, you will save it.”

February 18
Saturday

Reading 1 Jas 3:1-10
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly, for we all fall short in many respects.

If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.

If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.

It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination wishes.

In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze. The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna.

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no man can tame the tongue.

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this need not be so.

Gospel Mk 9:2-13
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.

Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here!

Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice,

“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things, yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

Reflection:
When you mold a figure from clay you have the same amount of clay from start to finish, and you are only changing its shape. Our life is like this, though we are persuaded by the advertisers that we can grow only by addition; by constantly acquiring new products. But I have to make something of my life moment by moment. I have to work with what I have. Perhaps I do not believe that that kid of change is possible. Has the word ‘change’ become so external – so directed to external conditions: change of place, friends, work – that we should now use another word? How about the word in today’s reading: TRANSFORMATION?