Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
Friday January 17, 2025
Daily Mass Readings for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Hebrews 4:1-5, 11: We must be vigilant to enter God’s rest, unlike our ancestors who failed to unite faith with hearing the Good News. Believers must strive to avoid their pattern of disobedience.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 78: We commit to passing down the Lord’s mighty acts and teachings, encouraging future generations to trust and obey God, unlike our ancestors’ stubborn and unfaithful ways.
- Gospel – Mark 2:1-12: In Capernaum, Jesus’ presence in a house attracted a large crowd, hindering access. Determined, four men carrying a paralyzed friend dismantled the roof to lower him before Jesus. Recognizing their faith, Jesus forgave the man’s sins, sparking internal accusations of blasphemy from scribes. To demonstrate His authority to forgive sins, Jesus healed the paralytic, commanding him to walk. The man did, astonishing everyone, leading to high praises for God and awe at the unprecedented event.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
Mark 2:3-4
Themes for the Readings for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings invite us to reflect on God’s rest, healing, and the importance of faith. The letter to the Hebrews speaks of entering God’s rest through faith and obedience, while the Gospel recounts Jesus healing a paralyzed man who is brought to Him in faith. These themes encourage us to trust in God’s promises and to seek healing and wholeness.
- Faith and Healing: The paralyzed man’s friends bring him to Jesus with strong faith that He can heal. This shows the power of faith in seeking God’s help and reminds us that God responds to those who trust in Him.
- Entering God’s Rest: Hebrews speaks of a promised rest for those who believe and follow God. This rest symbolizes peace in God’s presence, which we are invited to experience by trusting and obeying Him.
- Forgiveness and Healing: Jesus first forgives the paralyzed man’s sins before healing him. This reminds us that God’s healing often includes forgiveness, bringing us both physical and spiritual wholeness.
- Obedience to God: Hebrews calls us to obedience so that we may enter God’s rest. By aligning our actions with God’s will, we grow closer to Him and find peace.
- Power of Jesus’ Words: Jesus’ words bring both healing and forgiveness to the paralyzed man. His words have authority, showing us that God’s word is powerful and can change lives.
- Trusting God’s Promises: Hebrews encourages believers to trust in God’s promises, especially His promise of rest. This trust helps us to overcome doubt and remain faithful, even in challenging times.
These themes for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, remind us of the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God. They call us to seek both spiritual and physical healing, knowing that God’s promises bring true peace and rest.
Thoughts for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings invite us to explore themes of rest, healing, and faith. Hebrews speaks of a promised rest for those who trust and follow God, while the Gospel shows the powerful example of friends bringing a loved one to Jesus for healing. Through these passages, we see that God’s peace, compassion, and forgiveness are available to those who seek Him. These reflections call us to open our hearts to God’s care, for ourselves and for others.
Entering God’s Promised Rest
On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the reading from Hebrews speaks of a promised rest for those who believe and follow God. This rest is more than physical relaxation; it symbolizes a deep peace found in God’s presence. Hebrews reminds us that this rest is available to all who trust in God’s promises and seek to live according to His ways. God’s rest is a gift, inviting us into a peace that cannot be found anywhere else.
Entering God’s rest requires faith and obedience. Trusting God means placing our worries, fears, and struggles in His hands, knowing that He cares for us. It also means choosing to follow His teachings, even when it’s difficult. Hebrews encourages us to align our lives with God’s will, not just for the future, but to experience His peace now. By letting go of our need for control and surrendering to God, we open ourselves to His promised rest.
This reading calls us to make room for God’s peace in our hearts. Life can be filled with stress and uncertainty, but God offers a rest that calms our minds and renews our spirits. On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, we are reminded that God’s peace is waiting for us, inviting us to turn toward Him in faith and trust. In this way, we begin to live in His rest, grounded in the comfort of His presence.
Bringing Loved Ones to Jesus in Faith
The Gospel reading for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, shows a powerful example of faith in action. The paralyzed man’s friends carry him to Jesus, believing that He can heal him. These friends didn’t let obstacles stop them; they were determined to help their friend find healing. This story reminds us of the importance of praying for loved ones and bringing them to God in faith, trusting that He knows their needs.
Faith doesn’t just benefit ourselves—it can also help others. The friends’ actions show that faith can be a bridge, connecting those who may be struggling or uncertain with God’s presence. Praying for others, whether family or friends, is a way to bring them closer to God, lifting up their needs and asking for His care and healing. Like the friends who carried the man to Jesus, our prayers and actions can have a real impact on those we care about.
This story invites us to consider how we can help others experience God’s love. By reaching out, praying, or encouraging, we can support others on their journey of faith. Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, teaches us that God responds to faith, not only in the person seeking help but also in those who bring their loved ones to Him. Our prayers for others can be a source of strength and hope, connecting them to God’s healing power.
The Healing Power of Forgiveness
In the Gospel for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, Jesus first forgives the sins of the paralyzed man before healing his body. This act of forgiveness shows that Jesus sees beyond physical needs to the whole person. Forgiveness and healing are closely connected, as spiritual healing often brings peace and renewal that impacts all parts of our lives. Jesus teaches that true healing involves more than just the body; it involves the heart and soul.
Forgiveness is a path to wholeness. When we are forgiven, we experience a sense of freedom and relief that restores our inner peace. Jesus’ choice to forgive the man’s sins first reminds us that spiritual wounds can weigh us down, affecting our well-being. By seeking God’s forgiveness and offering forgiveness to others, we open ourselves to deeper healing. God’s mercy restores what is broken, bringing us peace and allowing us to live more fully.
This Gospel reminds us to seek forgiveness as part of our healing journey. On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, we are encouraged to bring our struggles, both physical and spiritual, to Jesus. When we come to Him with humility and an open heart, we experience the gift of forgiveness and find strength for the journey ahead. Jesus’ example shows that healing begins with forgiveness, restoring us to peace and helping us grow closer to God.
Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, reminds us that God desires to bring peace and healing into our lives. By seeking His rest, bringing others to Him in prayer, and embracing forgiveness, we draw closer to God’s love. May these reflections help us deepen our faith and encourage us to trust in His promises.
Prayer
Lord, help us to trust in Your peace and rest. Guide us as we bring our needs and the needs of others to You. Grant us forgiveness, and heal our hearts and lives. May we always turn to You with faith and hope. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How can I invite God’s peace and rest into my life?
- Who in my life needs my prayers and support, like the paralyzed man’s friends?
- How has forgiveness brought healing to my heart in the past?
- In what areas do I need to trust God’s promises more fully?
Homilies and Reflections for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Word on Fire: Only God Can Forgive Sins
In his reflection for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron focuses on the Gospel scene where Jesus forgives the sins of the paralytic. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of blasphemy, as only God can forgive sins. Bishop Barron highlights this reaction as an inadvertent acknowledgment of Jesus’ divine nature. He references G.K. Chesterton’s view on the impact of the Incarnation doctrine, suggesting that the very claim that God became human requires a radical rethinking of our understanding of both God and the world. Thus, the Pharisees’ response unwittingly affirms the profound truth of the Gospel.
Questions and Answers for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
What date is Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The next date is Friday January 17, 2025.
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 even numbered years see Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The Mass readings for Friday January 17, 2025 are:
First Reading (Cycle 1) – Hebrews 4:1-5, 11: Urgency to Enter God’s Rest
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) – Psalm 78: Teaching Future Generations
Gospel – Mark 2:1-12: Healing and Authority Demonstrated
What does Hebrews say about obedience?
Hebrews encourages obedience as a way to draw closer to God and to enter His rest. By listening to God’s word and following His ways, we find peace and grow in faith.
What does it mean to “enter God’s rest” in Hebrews?
Entering God’s rest refers to experiencing peace and closeness with God. This rest is a gift for those who trust and follow God, offering comfort and joy in His presence.
Why is trusting God’s promises important in Hebrews?
Hebrews encourages us to trust that God will keep His promises, including the promise of rest and peace. Trusting in God’s promises helps us remain faithful, especially when we face challenges or doubts.
Why did Jesus forgive the man’s sins before healing him?
Jesus forgave the man’s sins first to show that spiritual healing is just as important as physical healing. This teaches us that God cares for our whole being—body and soul—and that forgiveness can bring true peace.
Why did the friends of the paralyzed man bring him to Jesus?
The friends believed Jesus could heal him, so they acted out of strong faith and love. Their actions show us that faith is sometimes demonstrated through bringing others to God for help.
How does this Gospel reading show the power of Jesus’ words?
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks words of forgiveness and healing, which immediately change the man’s life. This shows us that Jesus’ words have authority, bringing healing and hope to those who trust Him.
What can we learn from the friends’ actions in the Gospel?
The friends show us the importance of helping others come closer to Jesus. Their faith and effort remind us that we can support others in their journey of faith through prayer and encouragement.
How can we apply these readings to our lives?
The readings for Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, encourage us to have faith, seek forgiveness, and trust in God’s care. By turning to God for both physical and spiritual healing, we open ourselves to the peace He promises.
Trusting in God’s Rest and Healing
On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings invite us to reflect on God’s rest, healing, and the power of faith. In the first reading from Hebrews, we hear about the promise of God’s rest for those who trust and obey Him. This “rest” symbolizes a deep peace that comes from being close to God. We are encouraged to open our hearts to this rest by trusting God’s promises and aligning our lives with His will.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus heal a paralyzed man after forgiving his sins, showing that physical healing and forgiveness are connected. The man’s friends, who bring him to Jesus, act with strong faith, believing that Jesus can help. Jesus responds by healing the man, demonstrating that faith in action can open the door to God’s grace. This story reminds us that God is aware of our needs and cares about both our physical and spiritual well-being.
Both readings call us to have faith in God’s care and to seek His help in our lives. They encourage us to bring our burdens to God, trusting in His power to bring peace, rest, and healing. Faith and obedience lead us closer to God’s promise of rest, and Jesus’ example shows us the importance of caring for others and lifting them up in faith.
Together, these messages encourage us to live with trust, seek forgiveness, and share God’s love with those around us. Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, is a reminder to focus on God’s promises, approach Him with open hearts, and believe in the peace and healing He offers.
Your Turn
On Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1, the readings remind us to trust God’s promises and seek His healing. Take a few moments to read these passages and reflect on areas of your life where you need peace and healing.
Consider sharing your own experiences or thoughts on how God’s promises have brought rest to your life in the comment section. How can we bring others to Jesus in faith, just like the friends in the Gospel?
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