Catholic Daily Readings

Daily Mass Readings For Thursday, February 6, 2025

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

Reading 1 : Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11

Alleluia : Mark 1:15

Gospel : Mark 6:7-13

Liturgical vestments: Red

Memorial

Thursday, February 6, 2025: Readings & Responsorial Psalm & Gospel

Each day, the Mass readings invite us into a deeper encounter with God. Through Scripture, we hear His voice speaking to our hearts, guiding us, comforting us, and calling us to a life of holiness. The Word of God is not just a story from the past; it is alive, relevant, and transformative.

Every reading is an opportunity for grace. Some days, the words challenge us to grow; other days, they console us in our struggles. But always, they nourish our souls, strengthening our faith and drawing us closer to Christ.

Let us open our hearts to the Word of God daily. May we not just hear it but live it, allowing it to shape our actions and deepen our love for Him. Lord, speak to us today, and help us to follow You more faithfully. Amen.

Reading 1

Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24

Brothers and sisters:
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said,
“I am terrified and trembling.”
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled Blood that speaks more eloquently
than that of Abel.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11

R.   (see 10) O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
   in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
   is the joy of all the earth.
R.   O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”
   the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
   renowned is he as a stronghold.
R.   O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
As we had heard, so have we seen
   in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God;
   God makes it firm forever.
R.   O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
O God, we ponder your mercy
   within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
   reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full.
R.   O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

Alleluia

Mark 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Reflection

“That by hearing the message of salvation the whole world may believe, by believing it may hope, and by hoping it may love.” (Saint Augustine)

We must revive in ourselves the burning conviction of Paul, who cried out: ‘Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel’ (1 Cor 9:16). This passion will not fail to stir in the Church a new sense of mission, which cannot be left to a group of ‘specialists’ but must involve the responsibility of all the members of the People of God.” (Saint John Paul II)

“The duty of Christians to take part in the life of the Church impels them to act as witnesses of the Gospel and of the obligations that flow from it. This witness is a transmission of the faith in words and deeds.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Nº 2472)

In the Gospel, Jesus advises not to say many words, but rather to perform many deeds of love and hope in the name of the Lord. Not saying many words, but performing deeds! “Heal the sick”, says the Lord, “raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay” (Mt 10:8). Here is the heart of proclamation: freely given witness, service. I will tell you something: I am always puzzled by the “talkers” with their endless talk and no action. At this point, let us ask a few questions: Do we, who believe in God who is close, confide in him? Do we know how to look forward trustfully, like a child who knows he is held in his father’s arms? Do we know how to sit in the Father’s lap with prayer, by listening to the Word, partaking of the Sacraments? And finally, close to him, do we know how to instil courage in others, to make ourselves close to those who suffer and are alone, to those who are distant and even those who are hostile to us? This is the substance of faith. This is what counts. (Angelus, 18 June 2023)

Saint of the Day

St. Paulo Miki, priest, and companions, Japanese martyrs

A Jesuit and the first Japanese Catholic religious, he announced the Gospel, for which he was arrested and crucified at Nagasaki along with 25 companions. Before dying, he reiterated that salvation can be found in Jesus alone and invited everyone to joyfully follow Christ and forgive their enemies.