Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings 31-January-2025

Universalis/Jerusalem Bible ^

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Mmm dd, 2025

Saint John Bosco, Priest
on Friday of week 3 in Ordinary Time



Saint John Bosco Church, Parma Heights, Ohio

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).

Readings for the feria

Readings for the memorial

These are the readings for the feria

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First reading

Hebrews 10:32-39

We are the sort who keep faithful

Remember all the sufferings that you had to meet after you received the light, in earlier days; sometimes by being yourselves publicly exposed to insults and violence, and sometimes as associates of others who were treated in the same way. For you not only shared in the sufferings of those who were in prison, but you happily accepted being stripped of your belongings, knowing that you owned something that was better and lasting. Be as confident now, then, since the reward is so great. You will need endurance to do God’s will and gain what he has promised.

Only a little while now, a very little while,

and the one that is coming will have come; he will not delay.

The righteous man will live by faith,

but if he draws back, my soul will take no pleasure in him.

You and I are not the sort of people who draw back, and are lost by it; we are the sort who keep faithful until our souls are saved.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 36(37):3-6,23-24,39-40

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

If you trust in the Lord and do good,

  then you will live in the land and be secure.

If you find your delight in the Lord,

  he will grant your heart’s desire.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Commit your life to the Lord,

  trust in him and he will act,

so that your justice breaks forth like the light,

  your cause like the noon-day sun.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

The Lord guides the steps of a man

  and makes safe the path of one he loves.

Though he stumble he shall never fall

  for the Lord holds him by the hand.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord,

  their stronghold in time of distress.

The Lord helps them and delivers them

  and saves them: for their refuge is in him.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

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Gospel Acclamation	Ps118:27

Alleluia, alleluia!

Make me grasp the way of your precepts,

and I will muse on your wonders.

Alleluia!

Or:	Mt11:25

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom

to mere children.

Alleluia!

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Gospel	Mark 4:26-34

The kingdom of God is a mustard seed growing into the biggest shrub of all

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’

  He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’

  Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.

Continue

These are the readings for the memorial

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First reading

Philippians 4:4-9

If there is anything you need, pray for it.

I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near.

  There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honour, and everything that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise. Keep doing all the things that you learnt from me and have been taught by me and have heard or seen that I do. Then the God of peace will be with you.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 102(103):1-4,8-9,13-14,17-18

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

  all my being, bless his holy name.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

  and never forget all his blessings.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

It is he who forgives all your guilt,

  who heals every one of your ills,

who redeems your life from the grave,

  who crowns you with love and compassion.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

The Lord is compassion and love,

  slow to anger and rich in mercy.

His wrath will come to an end;

  he will not be angry for ever.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

As a father has compassion on his sons,

  the Lord has pity on those who fear him;

for he knows of what we are made,

  he remembers that we are dust.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

But the love of the Lord is everlasting

  upon those who hold him in fear;

his justice reaches out to children’s children

  when they keep his covenant in truth,

  when they keep his will in their mind.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

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Gospel Acclamation	Mt23:11,12

Alleluia, alleluia!

The greatest among you must be your servant, says the Lord:

the man who humbles himself will be exalted.

Alleluia!

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Gospel	Matthew 18:1-5

Unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven

The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

  ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.’

Continue

 

The readings on this page are from the Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. The New American Bible readings, which are used at Mass in the United States, are available in the Universalis apps, programs and downloads.

You can also view this page with the Gospel in Greek and English.

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For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

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KEYWORDS: catholic; mk4; mt28; ordinarytime; prayer

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Alleluia Ping

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Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 4
26.	And he said: So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the earth,	Et dicebat : Sic est regnum Dei, quemadmodum si homo jaciat sementem in terram,	και ελεγεν ουτως εστιν η βασιλεια του θεου ως εαν ανθρωπος βαλη τον σπορον επι της γης
27.	And should sleep, and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring, and grow up whilst he knoweth not.	et dormiat, et exsurgat nocte et die, et semen germinet, et increscat dum nescit ille.	και καθευδη και εγειρηται νυκτα και ημεραν και ο σπορος βλαστανη και μηκυνηται ως ουκ οιδεν αυτος
28.	For the earth of itself bringeth forth fruit, first the blade, then the ear, afterwards the full corn in the ear.	Ultro enim terra fructificat, primum herbam, deinde spicam, deinde plenum frumentum in spica.	αυτοματη γαρ η γη καρποφορει πρωτον χορτον ειτα σταχυν ειτα πληρη σιτον εν τω σταχυι
29.	And when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.	Et cum producerit fructus, statim mittit falcem, quoniam adsit messis.	οταν δε παραδω ο καρπος ευθεως αποστελλει το δρεπανον οτι παρεστηκεν ο θερισμος
30.	And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we compare it?	Et dicebat : Cui assimilabimus regnum Dei ? aut cui parabolæ comparabimus illud ?	και ελεγεν τινι ομοιωσωμεν την βασιλειαν του θεου η εν ποια παραβολη παραβαλωμεν αυτην
31.	It is as a grain of mustard seed: which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth:	Sicut granum sinapis, quod cum seminatum fuerit in terra, minus est omnibus seminibus, quæ sunt in terra :	ως κοκκον σιναπεως ος οταν σπαρη επι της γης μικροτερος παντων των σπερματων εστιν των επι της γης
32.	And when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches, so that the birds of the air may dwell under the shadow thereof.	et cum seminatum fuerit, ascendit, et fit majus omnibus oleribus, et facit ramos magnos, ita ut possint sub umbra ejus aves cæli habitare.	και οταν σπαρη αναβαινει και γινεται παντων των λαχανων μειζων και ποιει κλαδους μεγαλους ωστε δυνασθαι υπο την σκιαν αυτου τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατασκηνουν
33.	And with many such parables, he spoke to them the word, according as they were able to hear.	Et talibus multis parabolis loquebatur eis verbum, prout poterant audire :	και τοιαυταις παραβολαις πολλαις ελαλει αυτοις τον λογον καθως εδυναντο ακουειν
34.	And without parable he did not speak unto them; but apart, he explained all things to his disciples.	sine parabola autem non loquebatur eis : seorsum autem discipulis suis disserebat omnia.	χωρις δε παραβολης ουκ ελαλει αυτοις κατ ιδιαν δε τοις μαθηταις αυτου επελυεν παντα

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Catena Aurea by St. Thomas Aguinas

Mark CHAP. 4

4:26–29

26. And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

27. And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

29. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

PSEUDO-CHRYSOSTOM. (Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) A parable occurred, a little above, about the three seeds which perished in various ways, and the one which was saved; in which last He also shews three differences, according to the proportion of faith and practice. Here, however, He puts forth a parable concerning those only who are saved. Wherefore it is said, And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground, &c.

PSEUDO-JEROME. The kingdom of God is the Church, which is ruled by God, and herself rules over men, and treads down the powers which are contrary to her, and all wickedness.

PSEUDO-CHRYSOSTOM. (Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) Or else He calls by the name of kingdom of God, faith in Him, and in the economy of His Incarnation; which kingdom indeed is as if a man should throw seed. For He Himself being God and the Son of God, having without change been made man, has cast seed upon the earth, that is, He has enlightened the whole world by the word of divine knowledge.

PSEUDO-JEROME. For the seed is the word of life, the ground is the human heart, and the sleep of the man means the death of the Saviour. The seed springs up night and day, because after the sleep of Christ, the number of Christians, through calamity and prosperity, continued to flourish more and more in faith, and to wax greater in deed.

PSEUDO-CHRYSOSTOM. (Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) Or Christ Himself is the man who rises, for He sat waiting with patience, that they who received seed should bear fruit. He rises, that is, by the word of His love, He makes us grow to the bringing forth fruit, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand, by which is meant the day, and on the left, by which is meant the night of persecution; for by these the seed springs up, and does not wither. (2 Cor. 6:7)

THEOPHYLACT. Or else Christ sleeps, that is, ascends into heaven, where, though He seem to sleep, yet He rises by night, when through temptations He raises us up to the knowledge of Himself; and in the day time, when on account of our prayers, He sets in order our salvation.

PSEUDO-JEROME. But when He says, He knoweth not how, He is speaking in a figure; that is, He does not make known to us, who amongst us will produce fruit unto the end.

PSEUDO-CHRYSOSTOM. (Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) Or else He says, He knoweth not, that He may shew the free-will of those who receive the word, for He commits a work to our will, and does not work the whole Himself alone, lest the good should seem involuntary. For the earth brings forth fruits of its own accord, that is, she is brought to bear fruit without being compelled by a necessity contrary to her will. First the blade.

PSEUDO-JEROME. That is, fear. For the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Then the full corn in the ear; (Ps. 111:10. Rom. 13:8) that is, charity, for charity is the fulfilling of the Law.

PSEUDO-CHRYSOSTOM. (Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) Or, first it produces the blade, in the law of nature, by degrees growing up to advancement; afterwards it brings forth the ears, which are to be collected into a bundle, and to be offered on an altar to the Lord, that is, in the law of Moses; afterwards the full-fruit, in the Gospel. Or because we must not only put forth leaves by obedience, but also learn prudence, and, like the stalk of corn, remain upright without minding the winds which blow us about. We must also take heed to our soul by a diligent recollection, that, like the ears, we may bear fruit, that is, shew forth the perfect operation of virtue.

THEOPHYLACT. For we put forth the blade, when we shew a principle of good; then the ear, when we can resist temptations; then comes the fruit, when a man works something perfect. It goes on: and when it has brought forth the fruit, immediately he sendeth the sickle, because the harvest is come.

PSEUDO-JEROME. The sickle is death or the judgment, which cuts down all things; the harvest is the end of the world.

GREGORY. (in Ezech. 2. Hom. 3) Or else; Man casts seed into the ground, when he places a good intention in his heart; and he sleeps, when he already rests in the hope which attends on a good work. But he rises night and day, because he advances amidst prosperity and adversity, though he knows it not, for he is as yet unable to measure his increase, and yet virtue, once conceived, goes on increasing. When therefore we conceive good desires, we put seed into the ground; when we begin to work rightly, we are the blade. When we increase to the perfection of good works, we arrive at the ear; when we are firmly fixed in the perfection of the same working, we already put forth the full corn in the ear.

Catena Aurea Mark 4

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Communion of Saints

Greek icon

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The Many Miracles of St. John Bosco

The beloved patron of children worked countless wonders in his lifetime, from miraculous healings to multiplying food.

St. John Bosco, photographed by Carlo Felice Deasti in 1887, with the Salesian coat of arms in the background (photo: Public Domain)

Thomas L. McDonald Blogs January 31, 2025

“There was no greater thaumaturgus (miracle worker) in the nineteenth century,” was the verdict of Father Augustine Auffray, one of Don Bosco's biographers. “Death, life, the devil, disease and nature proved docile to his commands.” The miracles, Auffray wrote, “both accredited and facilitated his work.”

St. John Bosco (Aug. 16, 1815, to Jan. 31, 1888), founder of the Salesians, dedicated his life to improving the lives of countless disadvantaged youth. Even in his lifetime, he was known for working wonders to serve his people and prove the divine sanction for his work. And yet, Bosco himself denied that he was responsible for miracles:

Don Bosco does not work miracles. He prays himself and gets others to pray for those who recommend themselves to him, and that is all. As for the miracles, it is the Blessed Virgin who works them. She sees Don Bosco needs money to feed and bring up his thousands of children as Christians, and then she brings him benefactors by the favors she showers upon them.

The biographies and documents of his life are filled with numerous examples of healing, of which two examples will suffice. There was a crippled woman brought by donkey cart and desperate to see him in spite of the crowd. When the cart couldn't get any closer, she suddenly found herself able to walk and rejoiced as she came to greet him. There was also a blind girl whose eyes, the doctors said, were “completely ruined.” Bosco asked if she was given the gift of sight, she would promise to use it only for things that glorify God. She made the promise, and her sight was restored.

Similar accounts of sudden and unexpected healing could fill a book. They were closely examined during the canonization process, with affidavits submitted by witnesses and those who had been healed, and biographers collecting many more.

The stories often have a certain charm to them. He was often greeted by children, and one day said, “My dear boys, I wish I had something for you!” All he had, however, was a small bag of nuts, and these he distributed one handful at a time to each boy. More boys kept arriving, but the small bag of nuts never seemed to be exhausted, even after 35 boys had each received a handful.

A similar multiplication of food was reported by Father Francis Dalmazzo, who witnessed it as a youth when he lived at Bosco's Turin Oratory. There were exactly 15 rolls for breakfast, but as each of the 300 boys arrived at the front of the line, they received a roll from the basket. Father Dalmazzo would later testify that after all had been fed, there were still 15 rolls in the basket.

St. John said he could literally smell sin on some people, and frequently could tell if a pupil had made an act of charity or committed some offense. Often, he could foresee great or terrible things for people, and for his entire life was subject to intense, often visionary and prophetic dreams, including a lengthy vision of hell.

In one case, he foretold the death of a student, and said two more would follow within two months. He gave their names to one of his priests, who wrote them down and sealed them in an envelope. Within two months both of the boys became ill and died despite efforts to care for them. The Memoirs are filled with many similar cases.

One of the most startling miracles was a case of bilocation in 1886, while Bosco was in Turin and the witness, Father John Branda, was in Spain. The Salesian College of Sarria had taken in young men who were not interested in reforming, and on the night of Feb. 5, Father Branda was awoken by the voice of Don Bosco. The Father saw him standing in his room. Don Bosco said, “Your house is going well. I am pleased with you, but the is a dark spot.” At that moment, Branda saw the image of four young men from the school. Bosco gestured to them, saying, “Tell this one to be more prudent. As for the others, they must be expelled.”

Father Branda then followed Don Bosco through the darkened dormitories. He was guided by a halo light that radiated from Bosco, passing through doors that opened without being touched, until they returned to Branda's room and Don Bosco disappeared, plunging him into darkness.

The oneiric quality of the vision and the lack of evidence against the boys made the priest hesitate to exercise any discipline. A few days later he received a letter asking if he'd followed the orders Don Bosco had given him when he visited in the night. Still, he hesitated, until one morning as he was celebrating Mass he heard an inner voice saying, “If you fail to carry out this order, this is your last Mass.” When he finally summoned the boys for discipline or dismissal, each appeared as they had in the vision.

The biographies of St. John Bosco tell of many more miracles, including the spectral dog that allegedly kept watch over him, instances of clairvoyance, telepathy, levitation and more. The witness reports are fairly extensive, and some of the people who saw his miracles lived into the 20th century. The Salesian Portal (donboscosalesianportal.org) is a good source of information, and includes all of the meticulous, 19-volume Biographical Memoirs of Saint John Bosco in PDF format.

• Keywords:
• St. John Bosco
• don bosco
• miracles
• saints

Thomas L. McDonald Thomas L. McDonald serves as a deacon in the Diocese of Trenton, where his ministries include catechesis and consolation. He writes at An Owl Among the Ruins and Weird Catholic.

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