SATURDAY 31 JANUARY

by Norbert Doulanni | Jan 30, 2026 | Evangelium

SAINT JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST
Psalter III | WHITE

He was born in Piedmont of a peasant family, and he was brought up by his widowed mother. He became a priest, and his particular concern was for the young. He settled in Turin, where, as in so many cities in the 19th century, the industrial revolution was bringing enormous movements of population and consequent social problems, especially for the young men who came there to work. John Bosco devoted himself to the care of the young, first of all by means of evening classes, to which hundreds came, and then by setting up a boarding-house for apprentices, and then workshops for their training and education.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 131: 9
Your priests, O Lord, shall be clothed with justice; your holy ones shall ring out their joy.

Collect
O God, who raised up the Priest Saint John Bosco as a father and teacher of the young, grant, we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, we may seek out souls and serve you alone. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

First reading: 2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17
The Lord sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him, Nathan said: “Judge this case for me! In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor. The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers. But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children. She shared the little food he had and drank from his cup and slept in his bosom. She was like a daughter to him. Now, the rich man received a visitor, but he would not take from his own flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and made a meal of it for his visitor.”

David grew very angry with that man and said to him: “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this merits death! He shall restore the ewe lamb fourfold because he has done this and has had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.’ Thus says the Lord: ‘I will bring evil upon you out of your own house. I will take your wives while you live to see it, and will give them to your neighbor. He shall lie with your wives in broad daylight. You have done this deed in secret, but I will bring it about in the presence of all Israel, and with the sun looking down.'”

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan answered David: “The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die. But since you have utterly spurned the Lord by this deed, the child born to you must surely die.” Then Nathan returned to his house. The Lord struck the child that the wife of Uriah had borne to David, and it became desperately ill. David besought God for the child. He kept a fast, retiring for the night to lie on the ground clothed in sackcloth. The elders of his house stood beside him urging him to rise from the ground; but he would not, nor would he take food with them.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
R/ Create a clean heart in me, O God.

1. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
2. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you.
3. Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God; then my tongue shall revel in your justice. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Gospel Acclamation: John 3:16
Alleluia, alleluia. God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, re- buked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, the offerings placed on your altar in commemoration of blessed John Bosco, so that, as you brought him glory, you may, through these sacred mysteries, grant to us your pardon. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Mt 24: 46-47
Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen I say to you: He will put that servant in charge of all his property.

Prayer after Communion
May partaking at the heavenly table, almighty God, confirm and increase strength from on high in all who celebrate the feast day of blessed John Bosco, that we may preserve in integrity the gift of faith and walk in the path of salvation you trace for us. Through Christ our Lord.Meditation
“Create a clean heart in me, O Lord.” Jesus, by calming the storm, demonstrated his power over the forces of nature. He also showed that he is greater than the devil, because for the Jews the sea was a symbol of the forces of evil and darkness. If Jesus is greater than the devil, it means he is greater than sin, which we commit because of the devil’s temptation. He is greater than our weakness, and there is no sin that he cannot forgive. David had desired another man’s wife, committed adultery with her, and had her husband killed in order to have her. God in his justice condemned him, but when he acknowledged his sin, God in his mercy pardoned him. God is always ready to forgive us and give us another chance, if and only if we repent and turn back to him. May we always be aware of sin, and may we never hesitate to implore God’s mercy. His love and mercy are larger than our sinfulness; he will always grant us his forgiveness if we sincerely ask for it.

FRIDAY 30 JANVIER

by Norbert Doulanni | Jan 29, 2026 | Evangelium

SAINTE MARTINA OF ROME, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

Psalter III

GREEN

She lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus, under his persecution, she was arrested and ordered to worship pagan idols. She was known for her charitable nature and unwavering faith. She was tortured and beheaded for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods, according to tradition.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 95: 1, 6
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.

Collect
Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

First reading: 2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17
At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign, David sent out Joab along with his officers and the army of Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem. One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, “She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of Joab’s armor bearer Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her. She then returned to her house. But the woman had conceived, and sent the information to David, “I am with child.” David therefore sent a message to Joab, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent Uriah to David. When he came, David questioned him about Joab, the soldiers, and how the war was going, and Uriah answered that all was well. David then said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and bathe your feet.” Uriah left the palace, and a portion was sent out after him from the king’s table. But Uriah slept at the entrance of the royal palace with the other officers of his lord, and did not go down to his own house. David was told that Uriah had not gone home. On the day following, David summoned him, and he ate and drank with David, who made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his bed among his lord’s servants, and did not go down to his home. The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab which he sent by Uriah. In it he directed: “Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead.” So while Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the defenders were strong. When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab, some officers of David’s army fell, and among them Uriah the Hittite died.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6a, 6bcd-7, 10-11
R/ Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

1. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.
2. For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.”
3. I have done such evil in your sight that you are just in your sentence, blameless when you condemn. True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
4. Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; the bones you have crushed shall rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my guilt.

Gospel Acclamation: Matthew11:25
Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. Alleluia, 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.

Prayer over the Offerings
Accept our offerings, O Lord, we pray, and in sanctifying them grant that they may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.

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

Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, receiving the grace by which you bring us to new life, we may always glory in your gift. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation
“The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.” A mustard seed is very tiny, but when it is planted, it grows slowly and steadily over the years to become a big tree that provides shelter for birds. Similarly, our faith in God is usually manifested in small and seemingly insignificant things: going to mass regularly on Sundays, praying every morning and evening, offering a kind word or a smile to someone, giving a helping hand to a person in need, telling the truth when one could have lied, and trying to do one’s work well or to study with diligence. We may not notice it, but if we persevere in these little acts, over time we shall be slowly but surely transformed. Our belief in God will grow stronger and stronger, and we will become more and more like Christ. The obstacle to this process of transformation is sin, and we are all vulnerable to it. David, the righteous king, fell into temptation; we too sin against God every day. But like the Psalmist, let us never hesitate to return to God for forgiveness; in this way, despite our weaknesses, we will continue to be transformed in the image of Christ.

THURSDAY 29 JANUARY

by Norbert Doulanni | Jan 28, 2026 | Evangelium

SAINT GILDAS

Psalter III

GREEN

He was a 6th-century British monk, historian, and saint, known for his work “De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae” (“On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain”). He was born around 500 in the Clyde Valley, educated in Wales, and later established a monastery at Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys in Brittany. He’s considered the first British historian and is known for his writings critical of the moral decline of his time.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 95: 1, 6
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.

Collect
Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

First reading: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29
After Nathan had spoken to King David, the king went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, Lord God, and who are the members of my house, that you have brought me to this point? Yet even this you see as too little, Lord God; you have also spoken of the house of your servant for a long time to come: this too you have shown to man, Lord God! “You have established for yourself your people Israel as yours forever, and you, Lord, have become their God. And now, Lord God, confirm for all time the prophecy you have made concerning your servant and his house, and do as you have promised. Your name will be forever great, when men say, ‘The Lord of hosts is God of Israel,’ and the house of your servant David stands firm before you. It is you, Lord of hosts, God of Israel, who said in a revelation to your servant, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Therefore your servant now finds the courage to make this prayer to you. And now, Lord God, you are God and your words are truth; you have made this generous promise to your servant. Do, then, bless the house of your servant that it may be before you forever; for you, Lord God, have promised, and by your blessing the house of your servant shall be blessed forever.”

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14
R/ The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father.

1. Lord, remember David and all his anxious care; How he swore an oath to the Lord, vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob.
2. I will not enter the house where I live, nor lie on the couch where I sleep; I will give my eyes no sleep, my eyelids no rest, Till I find a home for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
3. The Lord swore an oath to David a firm promise from which he will not withdraw: “Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.”
4. If your sons keep my covenant, and the decrees which I shall teach them, Their sons, too, forever shall sit upon your throne.”
5. For the Lord has chosen Zion, he prefers her for his dwelling: “Zion is my resting place forever; in her I will dwell, for I prefer her.”

Gospel Acclamation: Psalm 119:105
Alleluia, alleluia. A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 4:21-25
Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Prayer over the Offerings
Accept our offerings, O Lord, we pray, and in sanctifying them grant that they may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.

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

Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, receiving the grace by which you bring us to new life, we may always glory in your gift. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation
“To the one who has, more will be given.” What do we have? We have life, health, loving families, friends, the chance to receive an education, talents and skills. In short, we have all the blessings that God has given to us. We will receive more blessings from God if we remain in communion with him and work hard to exploit the gifts he has given us. But we will lose the gifts we have if we stray away from God and do not exploit what we have received from him. David had received kingship, wealth and glory from God, and God promised him through the prophet Nathan to bless him and his family forever. Upon receiving this promise, he did not rest on his laurels; rather, he went to God in prayer to thank him and implore him to keep his promise by maintaining his favour on his household. That is how we receive more blessings from God; by always returning to him in prayer and continuously striving to be hardworking and virtuous in our daily dealings. May we hunger and thirst for more and more of God’s blessings.

WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY

by Norbert Doulanni | Jan 27, 2026 | Evangelium

THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST AND DOCTOR

Psalter III

WHITE

He was born of a noble family in southern Italy, and was educated by the Benedictines. In the normal course of events he would have joined that order and taken up a position suitable to his rank; but he decided to become a Dominican instead. His family were so scandalised by this disreputable plan that they kidnapped him and kept him prisoner for over a year; but he was more obstinate than they were, and he had his way at last.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Sir 15: 5
In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory.

Collect
O God, who made Saint Thomas Aquinas outstanding in his zeal for holiness and his study of sacred doctrine, grant us, we pray, that we may understand what he taught and imitate what he accomplished. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

First reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-17
That night the Lord spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Should you build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day on which I led the children of Israel out of Egypt to the present, but I have been going about in a tent under cloth. In all my wanderings everywhere among the children of Israel, did I ever utter a word to any one of the judges whom I charged to tend my people Israel, to ask: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ “Now then, speak thus to my servant David, ‘The Lord of hosts has this to say: It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his Kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. And if he does wrong, I will correct him with the rod of men and with human chastisements; but I will not withdraw my favor from him as I withdrew it from your predecessor Saul, whom I removed from my presence. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever. Nathan reported all these words and this entire vision to David.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30
R/ For ever I will maintain my love for my servant.

1. I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will make your dynasty stand forever and establish your throne through all ages.”
2. He shall cry to me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock that brings me victory!’ I myself make him firstborn, Most High over the kings of the earth.”
3. Forever I will maintain my love for him; my covenant with him stands firm. I will establish his dynasty forever, his throne as the days of the heavens.”

Gospel Acclamation: 1S3:9,Jn6:68
Alleluia, alleluia. The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 4:1-20
On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, “Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He answered them, “The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.” Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit. But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

Prayer over the Offerings
May the sacrifice which we gladly present on the feast day of blessed N., be pleasing to you, O God, for, taught by him, we, too, give ourselves entirely to you in praise. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Lk 12: 42
Behold a faithful and prudent steward to give them their allowance of food at the proper time.

Prayer after Communion
Through Christ the teacher, O Lord, instruct those you feed with Christ, the living Bread, that on the feast day of blessed N. they may learn your truth and express it in works of charity. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation
“The sower sows the Word.” The Word of God has been announced to us by various people God has placed in our paths: our parents, our priests, our catechists, our teachers, our friends, and even strangers. We have easy access to the Holy Scriptures these days. But how do we receive the Word of God? Do we waive it away as an unnecessary distraction? Do we follow it only when it is convenient for us and abandon it when it challenges us? Do we bend it when we are pursuing wealth, power and honour? Or do we allow it to transform our lives so that we become true witnesses of Jesus in the world? Let us allow the Word of God to take root in our lives and bear fruits of holiness and virtue. King David was an example of a true servant of God, who allowed God’s Word to guide his actions. His reward was the kingship of Israel and the assurance of God’s constant protection and blessing. Let us become servants of God like him, who listen to God’s Word and obey it, and God’s blessings will accompany us all the days of our lives.

TUESDAY 27 JANUARY

by Norbert Doulanni | Jan 26, 2026 | Evangelium

SAINTE ANGELA MERICI, VIRGIN

Psalter III

GREEN//WHITE

She was born in Desenziano, in Lombardy, in about 1470. She became a Franciscan tertiary and set up a school to instruct girls in Christanity and good works. In 1535 she founded the Ursulines, an order of nuns devoted to giving a Christian education to girls from poor families. She died in 1540.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 95: 1, 6
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.

Collect
Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

First reading: 2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19
David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David amid festivities. As soon as the bearers of the ark of the Lord had advanced six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. Then David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the Lord with abandon, as he and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and to the sound of the horn. The ark of the Lord was brought in and set in its place within the tent David had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. When he finished making these offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. He then distributed among all the people, to each man and each woman in the entire multitude of Israel, a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake. With this, all the people left for their homes.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10
R/ Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

1. Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!
2. Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.
3. Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!
4. Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts; he is the king of glory.

Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 3:31-35
The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Prayer over the Offerings
Accept our offerings, O Lord, we pray, and in sanctifying them grant that they may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.

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

Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, receiving the grace by which you bring us to new life, we may always glory in your gift. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation
“Whoever does the will of God is my mother, brother and sister.” We all know people who reject their biological parents because they received no love or care from them. On the other hand, we have friends whom we refer to as brothers or sisters because the affection they show to us. Clearly, love can build bonds which are even stronger than family ties. This is also true of our relationship with God; God has only one begotten Son, but we become his sons and daughters if we love him and do his will. David loved God so much that he offered him sacrifices and danced to glorify his name. Mary loved God so much that she surrendered herself to his will by accepting to be the mother of his Son Jesus. She treasured the Word of God her heart and meditated on it; she followed Jesus right to the foot of the cross, and she joined the first Christian community in constant prayer. Let David and Mary be our models; supported by their prayers, may we learn to love and God and obey his will like tem, and we shall be true children of God.

MONDAY 26 JANUARY

by Norbert Doulanni | Jan 25, 2026 | Evangelium

SAINTS TIMOTHY AND TITUS, BISHOPS

Psalter PROPER

WHITE

Timothy and Titus were converted to Christianity by St Paul, and became his companions and helpers. Paul entrusted Timothy with the care of the Christians in Ephesus, and sent Titus to Crete to look after the Christians there. He wrote them the so-called “pastoral” epistles, giving advice for pastors and people alike.

Entrance Antiphon: Ps 95: 3-4
Tell among the nations his glory, and his wonders among all the peoples, for the Lord is great and highly to be praised.

Collect
O God, who adorned Saints Timothy and Titus with apostolic virtues, grant, through the intercession of them both, that, living justly and devoutly in this present age, we may merit to reach our heavenly homeland. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

First reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-8
Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you. For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10
R/ Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

1. Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. Sing to the Lord; bless his name.
2. Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
3. Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and praise; give to the Lord the glory due his name!
4. Say among the nations: The Lord is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity.

Gospel Acclamation: 2 Timothy 1:10
Alleluia, alleluia. Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 3:22-30
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, which we bring in celebration of Saints Timothy and Titus, and, in your kindness, render us fully acceptable by giving us sincerity of heart. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Mk 16: 15; Mt 28:20
Go into all the world, and proclaim the Gospel. I am with you always, says the Lord.

Prayer after Communion
May the Sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, nourish in us that faith taught by the preaching of the Apostles and kept safe by the labours of Saints Timothy and Titus. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation
“I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother and in your mother.” Paul speaks of the origins of Timothy’s faith; he received it from his mother Lois, who in turn received it from her own mother Eunice. In his family therefore, the Christian faith was transmitted from generation to generation. St. John Paul II called the family the domestic Church, and with good reason; it is in the family that the Christian should first be discovered and lived. Parents have a responsibility to initiate their children into the mystery of the faith. They have to teach them to know and love God, to pray, and to practice Christian virtues. In the Gospel, Jesus reprimands the Jews for refusing to believe in his divine power and accusing him of working for the devil; in so doing, they sin against the Holy Spirit. We all have to learn to believe in Jesus, acknowledge his power over all existence, and allow him to transform our lives. This learning process has to begin and be sustained in the family. If you are a parent, then you have the duty to transmit the faith to your spouse and your children.