1/2 Sunday IVth OT
………………….
The people were amazed at his teaching! Mark 1,22
Jesus is explaining the Scriptures in Capernaum and he uses such authority that a light is cast on a demon hidden in one of the people present. God's word penetrates deeply and touches us personally. I also, feel when listening to the gospels that the Lord is speaking directly to me.

2/2 Monday IVth OT Presentation of the Lord
………………………….
I have seen with my own eyes the deliverance you have made! Luke 2,30
Simeon, embracing the Lord, exclaimed with joy: "release your servant in peace, Lord, for I have seen the deliverance you have made with my own eyes"! Thank you, Holy Father that to those who search for you and serve you with constancy, you reveal your immortal beauty in Jesus and the deliverance you have prepared for all peoples!

3/2 Tuesday IVth OT
…………………….
Do not be afraid! Simply have faith! Mark 5,36
Jesus does not always answer our prayer immediately. He waits, also to give us the opportunity to experience a stable, mature, determined faith, a faith capable of intervening in all aspects of my life.

4/2 Wednesday IVth OT
……………………………
For whom the Lord loves he disciplines! Hebrews 12,6
Living in brotherly contact with others it is inevitable that we will be corrected, even it we try to serve the Lord and love our brothers and sisters with the best of intentions. For years I have been asked to be more humble and benevolent towards others. Thank you, Jesus, for correcting me through my brothers and sisters.

5/2 Thursday IVth OT
……………………
They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. Mark 6,13
Jesus' disciples whom he had taught and sent out, did many prodigious signs like he did. This continues to happen in the Church: the lives of the saints and those who love the Lord and obey him testify to this. Thank you, Jesus, for your holy Church in which your healing action is present!

6/2 Friday IVth OT
…………………….
Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever! Hebrews 13,8
The author of the letter to the Hebrews concludes by exhorting his brothers and sisters to love one another, to be close to those who are in prison or suffer from infirmity, to respect marriage and to live detached from riches. He also invites them to listen to those in positions of responsibility in the community and to imitate their faith. We deeply thank the pope and the bishops for having confirmed the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and for defending us from varied and peregrine doctrines.

7/2 Saturday IVth OT
…………………………
They set off by boat for a remote place! Mark 6,32
Jesus had listened carefully to the apostles back from their mission and had noted how hard they had. He realised how tired they were and how they needed to be with him without distractions. Thank you, Jesus, for thinking of us! Thank you for tomorrow, your day, in which we may rest and spend more time with you!

8/2 Sunday Vth OT
………………………….
Jesus went and took hold of her hand and raised her to her feet. Mark 1,31
In Simon and Andrew's house in Capernaum, they spoke to Jesus of Simon's mother in law's fever and he went to her and healed her and gently raised her to her feet. Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of health and for those who have led us to you and helped us to be of service in the Church.

9/2 Monday Vth OT
………………….
The spirit of God hovered over the surface of the waters. Genesis 1,2
In the beginning…., the Spirit of God hovered over the vast waste to bring order among the creatures. Come, O Holy Spirit, to me; mould me according to the words of Jesus, make me a dwelling place for his love and bring order to my relationships, so that I am able to forgive and understand my brothers and sisters and to teach them of your mercy.

10/2 Tuesday Vth OT
…………………….
Honour your father and your mother! Mark 7,10
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for answering with wisdom and love those who come to you with their questions and for correcting those in need of correction. Thank you for indicating what is essential in life and freeing us from that which is deceptive!

11/2 Wednesday Vth OT
……………………….
It is the things that come out of a person that defile him. Mark 7,15
"The things" that prevent us from being in a relationship with God who is love, are the sins - fornication, adultery, greed, envy, judging others ….. - that insinuate themselves first into our thoughts, then into our feelings and then into our actions. Let us ask Mary to help us be discerning in our thoughts and to heal us from the disease of having a mind that does not conform to the gospels.

12/2 Thursday Vth OT
……………………..
The two became one! Genesis 2,24
How beautiful it is to see a wife and husband who love each other, who discuss their decisions, who understand each other, who bear with each other patiently, who come for advice together! It is beautiful because their unity is a work of God. Man and woman are made to manifest the work of God together!

13/2 Friday Vth OT
……………………..
All that he does, he does well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak! Mark 7,37
Jesus, open the ears of our souls just as you opened the ears of the deaf and dumb man! Then we too, on discovering the mystery of love in your word, will be able to exclaim: "everything he does, he does well"! Your word demonstrates this truth: we will not be able to keep silent about it!
14/2 Saturday Vth OT
………………..
The Lord has comforted his people! Isaiah 52,9
Thanks to his disciples and to his saints, Jesus has sent to all men the good news of his salvation, of his and his father's love! The prophets did this to the chosen people. Thank you, Jesus, for continuing to console us through the reading of the gospels during Mass and in other occasions.

15/2 Sunday VIth OT Year B
………………….
Do everything, provided it is done to the glory of God! I Corinthians 10,31
These words have helped me in my reflections and to centre my life on Jesus. So too is going to mass during the week no longer merely obeying an invitation, but it helps me focus on Jesus; and my work in the vegetable garden yesterday was no longer simply a means to an end, but was service to my Lord.

16/2 Monday VIth OT
…………………………
If anyone kills Cain, sevenfold vengeance will be enacted from him! Genesis 4,15
These words warn us not to resist evil with violence. The only way to overcome evil is through love, through goodness, to give heartfelt blessing and to pray for those who fall victim to sin and try to hurt us, so that they may be freed from it.

17/2 Tuesday VIth OT
……………………..
The disciples had only one loaf with them in the boat! Mark 8,14
When crossing the Sea of Galilee the disciples were worried about food: they had only one loaf of bread with them. Jesus reproved them! He had given enough to eat to five thousand with five loaves and he was there with them. If they trusted him they could be sure that he would care for their needs.

18/2 Wednesday VIth OT
…………………………
He laid his hands upon him and asked if he could see anything! Mark 8,23
Jesus accepted the blind man who had been brought to him to heal. Jesus always appreciates those who trust in him and through them helps others in need of salvation. Thank you, Jesus, for bringing light, life and peace to us!

19/2 Thursday VIth OT
…………………………
And you? Who do you say I am? Mark ,29
Thank you, Jesus, for asking me this same question today. You are the saviour, the hope of the world, the source of peace and true life, you are the Son of the Father who can make us children of God and lead us to him!

20/2 Friday VIth OT
……………………..
Anyone who wants to be a follower of mine must renounce self! Mark 8,34
One day I asked a brother to move a vase of flowers that was blocking the way; he said it looked good there. In the kitchen a sister explained a recipe to me that I had known for years. I kept repeating instructions to a brother over the years, but he always forgot them…. Little renouncements that help prepare me to follow Jesus!
21/2 Saturday VIth OT
……………………….
In their presence he was transfigured. Mark 9,2
Jesus gives three of his disciples a special experience: almost paradise, one could say. He reveals to them an aspect of his divinity. The wonder and the joy they feel are great and help them in the following days of the Lord's passion and death.

22/2 Sunday VIIth OT Year B
………………………..
With him it is always yes! II Corinthians 1,19
This "yes" was the one Jesus said to the Father in accepting to come into the world. And he repeated it for thirty years in Nazareth and in Gethsemane. It was the same that makes of St Paul a faithful ambassador of the gospel and of the Pope the man who guides us in the true knowledge of the person of Jesus.

23/2 Monday VIIth OT
……………………..
If it is at all possible, take pity on us and help us. Mark 9,22
A father whose son is possessed says these words to Jesus who replies, "everything is possible to one who believes". Thank you, Jesus, for your presence, for your compassion and for your word. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to increase our faith and helping us in every kind of situation.

24/2 Wednesday VIIth OT
…………………………..
Whoever receives me, receives not me, but the one who sent me! Mark 9,37
Jesus was sent to us by the Father in full unity of love with him; for this reason to receive Jesus is also to receive the Father and to enter their lives and to express their love. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to us.

25/2 Ash Wednesday
………………………
You have received the grace of God! Do not let it come to nothing! II Corinthians 6,1
Jesus, illuminate the eyes of our minds so that we might understand how the Father wishes to raise us up to him. He wishes to give us life through listening to your word, Lord Jesus! Today is the first day of lent. If we make an effort (through prayer, fasting and compassion for the suffering), the grace of God will bring it fruit!

26/2 Thursday
………………
Choose life … and love the Lord your God! Deuteronomy 30,19-20
God is the Father, God is Love; he created man to be free and, therefore, he gives him the choice: to serve him or to serve false idols. He assures us that in loving him and in being united with him, we will find the life and the happiness we are looking for. Thank you, good Father!

27/2 Friday
…………….
When you cry to him, he will say; Here I am! Isaiah 58,9
The prophet Isaiah reveals how to receive help when we need it. We must be obedient and love our neighbours as ourselves. Jesus confirms this saying; "if you dwell in me and my words dwell in you, ask whatever you want and you shall have it". (John 15,7)
28/2 Saturday
……………….
I have not come to call the virtuous but the sinners to repentance! Luke 5,32
These are words of consolation and light for the humble. Jesus receives sinners and dines with them; he wishes to help them and to renew their lives. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your love.

BACK UP