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Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saint Anthony, AbbotSome scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Mark 2:16–17Today’s Gospel presents very good news: Jesus “did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” None of us is righteous; we are all sinners. From the divine perspective, each of us...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” Mark 2:9–11In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus began His ministry in Capernaum. Shortly after calling His first Apostles, Jesus preached in the synagogue, leaving many amazed. After healing a demoniac and Peter’s mother-in-law, the whole town gathered at the house where Jesus was...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” Mark 1:44Miracles amaze and inspire us. For that reason, it is common for people of faith to pray for them. They are acts of God’s great mercy, but the miracles we pray for are not always part of God’s plan. In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a leper who comes to Him, kneels down, and says, “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). After that, Jesus’...

On Christmas Eve, Hindu hardline groups affiliated with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced a shutdown in the central Indian city of Raipur. The protest was called over allegations of “forced” religious conversions by Christians, a claim frequently levelled against the Christian community despite scant evidence. That same day, groups of men armed with wooden sticks stormed a shopping mall in Raipur, vandalising Christmas decorations and disrupting celebrations. Police filed a case against 30 to 40 unidentified attackers, but arrested only six. They were released on bail within days and, upon their release, were greeted with...

Daily Readings from the USCCBRising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. Mark 1:35–39Jesus’ prayer was unique. He did not pray because He needed God in His life—He was and is God. Yet,...

A new report from Students for Life of America’s Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement has found that 114 Christian colleges and universities in the United States — more than one in seven — are supporting abortion in some way. The report found these Christian universities either backing abortion or maintaining some type of relationship with Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion company. The investigation, conducted for the fourth consecutive year during the 2024-2025 academic year, examined 725 institutions affiliated with Christ-centered denominations that publicly claim a historical Christian faith in their founding. Schools from denominations embracing a pro-abortion stance, such...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. Mark 1:21–22Imagine attending a book study for a profound and challenging book. The group leader has read it thoroughly and consulted reviews; he shares various interpretations, offering valuable insights. You leave with a deeper understanding and gratitude for the leader’s guidance. Now imagine years later you attend another study on the same book, but this time the author leads...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:15–17Today, as we enter into Ordinary Time, we hear Jesus’ first proclamation of the Gospel as recorded by Mark: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of...

Daily Readings from the USCCBThe Baptism of the LordJesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. Matthew 3:13–15John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets, entrusted with the mission to immediately prepare the way for the Messiah. Today’s feast marks a pivotal transition from the Old Law...

By Dr. John BergsmaThis Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which will close the liturgical season of Christmas. But why do we celebrate this event at all? The primary meaning of baptism appears to be the washing away of sin. Since Jesus had no sin, why be baptized? That’s one of the more obvious questions raised by the theme of this feast and by the readings. At the same time, the readings for this Sunday point us in the direction of an answer. 1. The First Reading is Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7:Thus says the LORD: Here...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase;...

'I am filled with remorse and repentance, and I have nothing to stand on except God’s mercy and grace,' Philip Yancey notedChristian author Philip Yancey, who has been married for more than five decades, confessed to engaging in a multi-year affair, telling Christianity Today in a statement that he had "disqualified" himself from ministry. Yancey did not mince words or seek to defend the affair — he acknowledged the sinfulness of his behavior and the devastating consequences of his actions. "To my great shame, I confess that for eight years I willfully engaged in a sinful affair with a married...

Daily Readings from the USCCBIt happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”Luke 5:12What a perfect prayer! This leper, likely shunned by the townspeople, including his own family, had been reduced to a life of isolation and rejection. Some might have pitied him, but out of fear of contracting his dread disease, they kept their distance. The emotional and social isolation he endured would have been even more painful...

A federal court has sided with a Christian ministry seeking to ensure it has the right to hire only employees who agree to abide by its religious beliefs, ordering the state of Washington not to enforce a nondiscrimination law against the organization. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a unanimous opinion Tuesday, ruling that Union Gospel Mission of Yakima has the right to hire employees who align with the organization’s religious beliefs. The Christian ministry sued the state's attorney general and the Washington State Human Rights Commission, alleging that the Washington Law Against Discrimination...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. Luke 4:14–15This passage from Luke’s Gospel takes place immediately after Jesus was baptized by John and spent forty days in the desert, enduring and overcoming the temptations of the evil one. He returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit.” Although Luke had not yet recorded any of Jesus’ miracles, it becomes clear later in the chapter that Jesus had already performed some in Capernaum, and...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:50–52When Jesus appeared to the Apostles, walking on the sea, they were filled with fear. His words to them are the same words He speaks to us: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” We need to hear those words more often than we realize. Many things in life can cause us...

Daily Readings from the USCCBBy now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” Mark 6:35–36It is wise to be practical, realistic, and pragmatic. But when it comes to Christ and our call to participate in His divine mission, pragmatism can sometimes be a hindrance. Today’s Gospel illustrates this truth powerfully. The passage begins by showing the compassionate heart of Christ, who looked out upon the vast...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop[Jesus] went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him. Matthew 4:23–24Once Jesus began healing the sick, expelling demons, curing paralytics, and performing other miracles,...

Daily Readings from the USCCBThe Epiphany of the LordWhen Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:1–3Why did God use a star to reveal the birth of the King of Kings to foreigners from the East? To Mary, Joseph, and even the shepherds, God sent an angel to...

By Dr. John BergsmaThe Christmas season can sometimes seem to be just one joyful feast after another. We are scarcely past the glow from the Holy Family and Mary, Mother of God, when Epiphany is already upon us. The word “Epiphany” comes from two Greek words: epi, “on, upon”; and phaino, “to appear, to shine.” Therefore, the “Epiphany” refers to the divinity of Jesus “shining upon” the earth, in other words, the manifestation of his divine nature. The use of the word “epiphany” for the revelation of divinity predates Christianity. The Syrian (Seleucid) emperor Antiochus IV (175-164 BC), the villainous...