Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 1, 2021
First Reading: Hebrews 11.32-40
32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.37They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated--38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Psalm 31
1In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.2Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.3Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.4Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.5Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.6I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD.7I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.8You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.9Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.10My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.11Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends- those who see me on the street flee from me.12I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.13For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.14But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."15My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.16Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.17Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave.18Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.19How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.20In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.21Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city.22In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.23Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Gospel: Mark 5.1-20
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him.3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain.4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him.5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!"8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"10"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside.12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them."13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man--and told about the pigs as well.17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound power of faith and the transformative grace of God. The first reading from Hebrews 11 presents a gallery of faithful figures who endured immense trials and hardships, trusting in God's promises despite not seeing their fulfillment in their lifetimes. This passage emphasizes the enduring nature of faith, highlighting that the saints of old are part of a larger community of believers, all journeying toward the same eternal promise. Their stories inspire us to remain steadfast in our own faith, even when faced with challenges.
The Gospel from Mark 5 narrates the dramatic healing of a man tormented by many demons, known as Legion. This story showcases Jesus's authority and compassion as He restores the man to wholeness. The man's transformation from a state of turmoil to one of peace and sanity exemplifies the redemptive power of encountering Christ. The healed man's eagerness to share his experience with others underscores the call to evangelization, demonstrating that our faith is not meant to be kept to ourselves but shared with the world.
Both readings beautifully intertwine, illustrating the connection between faith and action. The examples from Hebrews encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when the outcomes are unclear. The Gospel story shows how this faith can lead to personal transformation and a desire to witness to God's grace. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace this faith, trusting in God's providence and allowing His grace to transform us. Just as the healed man shared his story, we too are called to share the ways God has touched our lives, spreading hope and inspiration to those around us. Let us, therefore, approach our challenges with faith, trusting in God's plan and allowing His grace to flow through us.