Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 4, 2018
First Reading: Job 7.1-4, 6-7
1Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?2As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:3So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.4When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.6My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.7O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
Psalm 147
1Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.2The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.3He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.4He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.5Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.6The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.7Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.13For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.14He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.15He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.16He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9.16-19, 22-23
16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.18What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Gospel: Mark 1.29-39
29And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.30But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.31And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.32And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.33And all the city was gathered together at the door.34And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.35And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.36And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.37And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.38And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.39And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
Sermon
The readings today present us with a powerful interplay between human suffering, selfless service, and the call to mission. In the first reading, Job describes his life as a relentless struggle, filled with emptiness and sorrow. His words echo the universal human experience of pain and the search for meaning in the midst of hardship. Job’s lament reminds us that suffering is not foreign to the human condition, and it invites us to reflect on how we respond to our own struggles with faith and hope.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our focus to the apostle Paul, who speaks of his obligation to preach the Gospel. Paul’s words reveal a deep sense of responsibility and selflessness. He adapts himself to all people, becoming “all things to all men,” in order to share the Good News. This reading challenges us to consider how we might serve others with similar dedication, not for personal gain, but for the sake of the Gospel. Paul’s example calls us to live with a missionary heart, always seeking to bring Christ to those around us.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus as the compassionate healer who brings hope and restoration to those in need. Jesus’ ministry is marked by action—he heals the sick, casts out demons, and preaches the Good News. Yet, even in the midst of his busy ministry, Jesus takes time to pray, grounding his work in intimate communion with the Father. This balance of action and prayer is a model for us. Like Jesus, we are called to be instruments of healing and hope in the world, but we must also nurture our relationship with God through prayer. As we go about our daily lives, may we strive to imitate Christ’s compassion, serve others selflessly, and remain rooted in prayer, trusting that God will use us to bring light and love to a world in need.