* As an Amazon affiliate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.

Daily Mass Readings for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

  • First Reading1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a: Israel’s elders, desiring a king like other nations, reject God’s kingship. Samuel, guided by God, warns of the future king’s heavy demands and servitude, but the people persist.
  • Responsorial PsalmPsalm 89: Blessed are those who rejoice in the Lord, walking in His light. In His name, they find daily joy, uplifted by His righteousness, drawing strength and protection from Him.
  • Gospel Mark 2:1-12: In Capernaum, Jesus’ presence in a home drew a large crowd, hindering access. Four men, carrying a paralytic, opened the roof above Jesus and lowered the man down. Jesus, seeing their faith, forgave the paralytic’s sins, causing scribes to internally accuse Him of blasphemy. To demonstrate His authority, Jesus healed the paralytic, commanding him to walk. The man stood, walked, and carried his mat, astonishing everyone. This miracle led the crowd to praise God, amazed by such an unprecedented event.

Lectionary Reference: 309

Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?

Mark 2:8-9

Themes for the Readings for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings explore themes of trust, leadership, and faith in God’s power to heal and forgive. In 1 Samuel, the people of Israel demand a king, showing a lack of trust in God’s guidance. In the Gospel, Jesus forgives and heals a paralyzed man, revealing God’s power and mercy. These themes invite us to reflect on our own trust, faith, and relationship with God.

  • Trusting in God’s Leadership: The people of Israel demand a king, doubting God’s guidance. This request shows that turning away from God’s leadership can lead to unforeseen challenges.
  • Human Desire for Control: Israel’s demand for a king reflects a desire to control their future instead of trusting in God. This struggle reminds us to examine areas where we might be seeking control rather than relying on God’s will.
  • Warnings Against Choosing Self-Will: Samuel warns the people about the hardships that come with choosing their own way over God’s guidance. His words remind us that self-centered choices often bring difficulties that could have been avoided.
  • Faith in Jesus’ Power to Heal: In the Gospel, friends bring a paralyzed man to Jesus, believing He can heal him. Their faith is rewarded, showing the importance of approaching Jesus with trust, even when the outcome is uncertain.
  • Forgiveness and Healing: Jesus forgives the man’s sins before healing him, showing that spiritual healing is just as important as physical healing. This act teaches that forgiveness and inner peace are essential parts of God’s care for us.
  • Bringing Others to God in Faith: The friends who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus acted out of faith and love. Their actions remind us that we can help others draw closer to God through prayer, support, and encouragement.

These themes for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, encourage us to examine our faith, our trust in God’s guidance, and the ways we can bring others closer to God. By relying on God and seeking His forgiveness, we experience His peace and strength.

Thoughts for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and forgiveness. In the first reading, Israel’s request for a king reveals their desire for control, even over God’s guidance. The Gospel shows friends bringing a paralyzed man to Jesus, demonstrating a powerful faith that leads to healing. These passages remind us that God calls us to trust Him, to act in faith, and to seek His forgiveness for true peace.

Choosing Control Over Trust

On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the people of Israel demand a king to lead them, choosing human power over God’s guidance. Their desire for control reflects a lack of trust in God, who had always guided and protected them. Samuel warns them about the challenges and burdens a king will bring, but the people insist, focusing on security that feels immediate and tangible. This story challenges us to reflect on areas in our lives where we might be choosing our own solutions over God’s will.

Like Israel, we can sometimes feel tempted to seek control over our future, especially when things feel uncertain. We may place our trust in our own plans or depend heavily on the opinions of others, hoping they will bring peace. However, these choices can pull us away from trusting in God’s guidance. When we rely too much on our own plans, we miss out on the peace and freedom that come from trusting God’s wisdom.

This reading encourages us to let go of our need to control everything and to trust God with our lives. Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, reminds us that God’s plans are greater than ours and that He sees the bigger picture. Letting go of control can be difficult, but when we allow God to lead us, we open ourselves to the blessings of His guidance and care.

Faith in Action

The Gospel for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, tells the story of a paralyzed man whose friends bring him to Jesus for healing. These friends believe in Jesus’ power to heal, even though they do not know exactly how He will respond. Their faith is strong, pushing them to overcome obstacles to reach Jesus. In the end, their faith is rewarded when Jesus heals the man, both physically and spiritually, showing how trust in Jesus opens the way to healing and peace.

The actions of these friends remind us of the importance of having a faith that moves us to act. They did not just hope for healing; they actively brought their friend to Jesus, trusting that He would help. Faith often requires us to take steps forward, even when we do not know the outcome. This story encourages us to approach Jesus with our needs and the needs of others, believing that He listens and cares.

This Gospel story challenges us to reflect on how we show our faith through action. Just as the friends showed their love and trust in Jesus, we too can bring our concerns to Him and believe in His healing power. Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, teaches us that even when the outcome is uncertain, approaching Jesus with faith opens the door for His help and grace.

The Gift of Forgiveness

In the Gospel for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, Jesus first forgives the paralyzed man’s sins before healing his body. This act of forgiveness reveals that Jesus sees beyond physical needs and addresses the heart. By forgiving the man’s sins, Jesus offers inner healing that is just as important as physical healing. Forgiveness brings peace, helping us experience freedom and wholeness that only God can give.

Forgiveness is a central part of God’s love for us. When we accept God’s forgiveness, we let go of the burdens of guilt and shame, allowing God’s peace to enter our lives. Jesus’ choice to forgive the man first reminds us that spiritual healing brings lasting change and comfort. Forgiveness restores our relationship with God, helping us live with greater joy and purpose.

This story invites us to seek God’s forgiveness as part of our journey to healing and peace. On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, we are reminded that God’s forgiveness is a gift that renews us. By coming to God with open hearts, we experience His mercy, which brings healing and strength to face the challenges ahead.


Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, challenges us to examine how we rely on God and how we act on our faith. We are encouraged to let go of control, to bring our needs to Jesus with trust, and to seek the healing that comes from forgiveness. May these reflections help us grow in faith, openness, and peace.

Prayer

Lord, help us to trust in Your guidance and to let go of our need to control. Strengthen our faith, and teach us to act with courage, bringing our needs to You. Grant us Your forgiveness and peace, so we may grow closer to You. Amen.

Reflection Questions

  • Where in my life am I seeking control instead of trusting in God’s guidance?
  • How can I show faith through my actions, as the friends did in the Gospel?
  • How has forgiveness brought healing or peace into my life?
  • What steps can I take to trust God more deeply and let go of my own plans?

Homilies and Reflections for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

Word on Fire: Pick Up Your Mat

In Jared Zimmerer’s reflection on Mark 2:1-12, he delves into the story of Jesus healing the paralytic. Zimmerer appreciates this narrative for its demonstration of embodied Christianity, where Jesus addresses both the soul and body, reflecting the inseparable nature of the two. He emphasizes the importance of physical action in faith, as shown by the men who brought the paralytic to Jesus, challenging passive intentions with active involvement. Zimmerer connects this to modern Catholic culture, urging a return to a faith that engages all senses, drawing from the rich tradition of Catholicism. He argues that a vibrant, embodied faith involves active participation in the Church’s mission, embracing arts, social action, and the fullness of Catholic cultural expression.

Questions and Answers for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

What date is Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Friday January 16, 2026.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Friday January 16, 2026 are:
First Reading – 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a: Israel’s Demand for a King
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 89: Joy in the Lord’s Presence
Gospel – Mark 2:1-12: Miraculous Healing in Capernaum

Why did the people of Israel ask for a king?

The people of Israel wanted a king to be like other nations. They were afraid of the unknown and chose a human leader rather than fully trusting in God’s guidance.

How did Samuel respond to the people’s request for a king?

Samuel warned the people about the challenges and problems that a king would bring. He explained that relying on a human leader instead of God could lead to hardships they hadn’t considered.

What does this story teach us about trusting God?

The story shows us that trusting in human power or control instead of God’s wisdom can lead to struggles. It reminds us to seek God’s guidance and to have faith in His plans, even when we don’t understand them fully.

What is the importance of faith in the Gospel reading?

In the Gospel, the friends of the paralyzed man showed great faith by bringing him to Jesus for healing. Their faith demonstrates that trusting in Jesus can open the way for healing and help, even when it may seem impossible.

Why did Jesus forgive the man’s sins before healing him?

Jesus forgave the man’s sins first to show that spiritual healing is essential and connected to physical healing. This teaches us that God cares about our whole being—both our physical needs and our spiritual well-being.

How can we bring others to God like the friends of the paralyzed man?

We can bring others to God by praying for them, offering encouragement, and supporting them in their faith journey. Just as the friends brought the man to Jesus, we can help others find hope in God through our actions and prayers.

What can we learn about forgiveness from this Gospel reading?

The Gospel teaches that forgiveness brings inner healing and peace. By accepting God’s forgiveness and forgiving others, we make room for God’s grace and grow closer to Him.

How can we apply these readings to our lives?

The readings for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, remind us to trust in God’s guidance, seek forgiveness, and support others in faith. By putting these lessons into practice, we draw closer to God and help bring His love to others.

Trusting in God’s Guidance and Power to Heal

On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings focus on trust in God, faith, and forgiveness. In the first reading, the people of Israel ask for a king, desiring a human leader like other nations. Samuel warns them about the challenges this choice will bring, reminding them that seeking control and relying on human solutions can lead to hardship. This passage calls us to examine our own lives and think about where we might be seeking security apart from God’s guidance.

In the Gospel, we see a powerful example of faith in the friends who bring a paralyzed man to Jesus. Their belief in Jesus’ power to heal is so strong that they overcome obstacles to reach Him. Jesus not only heals the man’s body but forgives his sins, showing that God’s care extends to both our spiritual and physical needs. This act of healing and forgiveness reminds us that God offers us complete care and that we can find peace through His forgiveness.

These readings call us to trust God’s guidance and open ourselves to His healing. By seeking His will, we experience His peace and strength, rather than relying on our own limited understanding. Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, reminds us of the importance of bringing our own needs and the needs of others to Jesus with faith, trusting that He hears and cares.

Your Turn

On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings challenge us to reflect on where we place our trust. Do we rely on our own plans, or do we seek God’s guidance?

Take a moment to consider these questions and read through the passages. Share your thoughts on trust, faith, or a time when God’s guidance brought peace to your life. How can you support others on their journey to faith? Leave a comment below with your reflections.

Published on  

Join our email list to receive weekly emails with Catholic reflections and more.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *