15 Jan
Tue
1st Week in Ordinary Time (A)
1 Sam. 1:9-20
(R. Ps. ) 1 Sam. 2:1,4-5,6-7,8
Mk. 1:21-28
(Ps Wk I)
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In this First Week in Ordinary time, we pray over the gifts we present: Lord, Make us grow in holiness and grant what we ask you in faith. While our own personal faith may not be strong enough to ask God unconditionally "make me grow in holiness", we have the consolation of praying with the faith of the Church. We believe that God the Father has already answered this prayer by providing us with the grace of holiness through Jesus and through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Knowledge alone will not make us holy, for holiness is a gift of God. Nevertheless, since Jesus came to be the Way, the Truth and the Life, knowing Jesus and His truth will give us the courage to open our hearts to Him so that His truth will lead us in the pathway of life and holiness.

Already in the first chapter of his Gospel, from which today's passage is taken, Mark introduces Jesus to us as a healer. Since healing was a major part of the life of Jesus on earth, we must believe that healing is one of the important ways in which, in union with the Father and the Son He makes us grow in holiness.



Lord Jesus, touch my heart and heal me, and lead me in the pathway of holiness.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the Church may strengthen her commitment to full visible unity in order to manifest in an ever growing degree her nature as community of love, in which is reflected the communion of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Elaboration

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