Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
Monday February 3, 2025
Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Hebrews 11:32-40: Ancient heroes like Gideon, Barak, Samson, and others, through faith, achieved extraordinary feats and endured severe trials. Their faithfulness, combined with God’s plan, unites us all in His promise.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 31: God reserves immense goodness for those who revere Him, offering refuge and safety. In distress, He hears our pleas, rewarding the faithful and addressing the arrogant justly.
- Gospel – Mark 5:1-20: In the Gerasenes, Jesus encountered a man tormented by demons, who lived among tombs and could not be restrained. After the man recognized Jesus, Jesus expelled the demons, sending them into pigs that then drowned. The healed man, now sane, was instructed by Jesus to share his story, astonishing many with his testimony.
As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
Mark 5:18-19
Themes for the Readings for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invites reflection on faith and the power of Christ. The readings show the examples of those who trusted in God and how Jesus frees people from evil and suffering.
- Faith despite suffering: The first reading recalls how many heroes of faith trusted in God even when they faced great trials. This reminds us that faith does not always take away hardships but gives strength to endure.
- God’s power to save: The Gospel shows Jesus casting out demons and freeing a man from torment. This shows that God is more powerful than evil and works to bring freedom and healing.
- Trusting in unseen promises: The reading from Hebrews highlights people who lived by faith, trusting in what they could not yet see. This teaches us to rely on God even when His promises are not yet fulfilled.
- Jesus brings healing: In the Gospel, the man freed by Jesus is restored to peace. This reminds us that Jesus heals both body and soul, bringing wholeness.
- Witnessing to God’s work: After being healed, the man in the Gospel is sent to tell others what Jesus did for him. This shows the importance of sharing how God has helped us with others.
- Endurance in trials: The faith examples in Hebrews show how believers endured suffering by focusing on God. This teaches us to remain faithful when life is hard.
The themes of Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 help us reflect on faith and Christ’s power to save. Through trust in God and witnessing to His works, we are strengthened to endure trials and share His healing with others.
Thoughts for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
The readings for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invite us to think about faith, freedom, and sharing our experiences of God. The first reading shows the trust and perseverance of people who believed in God’s promises, even when they could not see the outcome. The Gospel highlights Jesus’ power to free people from suffering and calls us to share His work in our lives with others. These reflections help us connect these themes to our own journey of faith.
Living by Faith in Uncertainty
The first reading for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reminds us of those who trusted in God even when His promises were not yet fulfilled. These faithful people believed in what they could not see. They endured trials and hardships because they knew God’s plan was greater than their immediate struggles.
Faith is not always easy, especially when answers do not come quickly. Like those in the reading, we may face situations where we wonder how or when God will act. This challenges us to hold on to our belief in God’s goodness, even when His timing seems unclear.
The message from Hebrews encourages us to rely on God in every situation. We are reminded that faith is not about seeing, but about trusting. This kind of trust strengthens our relationship with God and gives us hope, even in difficult times.
Sharing What God Has Done
In the Gospel for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus frees a man from great suffering. After being healed, the man is told to share what God has done for him with others. This shows that our personal experiences of God’s help are meant to be shared.
God’s work in our lives is not just for us. When we tell others how He has helped us, we spread hope and encourage others to trust Him. The man in the Gospel could have kept quiet, but Jesus wanted him to speak about his healing.
Sharing what God has done for us does not have to be complicated. We simply tell our story in a way that others can understand. Like the man in the Gospel, we can let our words and actions show others how much God loves and helps His people.
Freedom from Suffering and Fear
Both readings for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 show how faith leads to freedom. The heroes in Hebrews endured trials, but their faith freed them from fear and despair. In the Gospel, Jesus frees the man from demons, giving him peace and a new purpose.
Suffering and fear can feel overwhelming, but faith opens a door to hope. The first reading reminds us that God is always present, even when life is hard. The Gospel shows us that Jesus has the power to heal and restore us, no matter how broken we feel.
When we turn to God in faith, we begin to experience freedom from what weighs us down. This freedom does not always mean that problems disappear. Instead, it means trusting that God is with us and will bring us through every difficulty.
The lessons from Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 remind us to trust God, even in trials, and to speak about His goodness in our lives. Faith gives us strength, freedom, and hope. As we reflect on these readings, may we seek to grow closer to God and to live out our faith in everyday life.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of faith that strengthens us in hard times. Help us to trust in Your promises and to rely on Your healing power. Teach us to share with others how You have worked in our lives. Guide us always to walk in faith and hope. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How can you trust God more, even when His promises seem far away?
- Have you experienced healing or freedom in your life through faith?
- How can you share what God has done for you with others?
- What fears or struggles can you give to God, trusting in His power to bring peace?
Homilies and Reflections for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Word on Fire: Breaking the Chains of Scapegoating
In the Gospel for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus encounters a man with an unclean spirit in the country of the Gerasenes, living among the tombs and chained. Philosopher René Girard’s insights on scapegoating violence shed light on the man’s predicament. Chained as a symbolic scapegoat, he may have borne the projections of the townspeople’s negativity. Bishop Robert Barron points out that Jesus, by healing him, signifies an end to scapegoating, urging the community to introspect and transform instead of directing their violence onto an innocent. This story highlights the call for self-criticism and conversion as an alternative to scapegoating, offering a new path to communal harmony.
Questions and Answers for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
What date is Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The next date is Monday February 3, 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 Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The Mass readings for Monday February 3, 2025 are:
First Reading – Hebrews 11:32-40: Faith of the Ancients
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 31: God’s Goodness to the Faithful
Gospel – Mark 5:1-20: Healing of the Demon-Possessed Man
Why does the first reading for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 talk about so much suffering?
The first reading reminds us that people of faith often face suffering. It shows us that trusting God gives strength, even when life is hard.
What does it mean to have faith in things not seen?
Faith in things not seen means trusting in God’s promises even when we do not understand His plan. It teaches us to rely on God’s goodness even when we cannot see the outcome.
What does the first reading for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach about perseverance?
The first reading highlights people who kept their faith even when life was hard. It encourages us to stay faithful to God, no matter what challenges we face.
How can we apply the first reading to our lives?
The first reading calls us to have faith in God, even in hard times. We can pray for strength to keep trusting God when life is difficult.
Why are the examples of faith in the first reading important?
The examples show us how to live with courage and trust in God. They remind us that God is faithful and will not abandon us.
Why does Jesus cast out demons in the Gospel for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus casts out demons to show that He has power over evil. He frees the man from suffering and restores him to peace, showing God’s care for each person.
Why is the healed man told to tell others what Jesus did for him?
The man is told to share his story so others can know about Jesus’ power to save. This reminds us to tell others how God has worked in our lives.
How can the Gospel help us when we face struggles?
The Gospel shows that Jesus has power to bring peace and healing. We can trust Him to help us in our struggles and lead us to freedom.
How does the Gospel for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 show God’s love?
The Gospel shows God’s love by how Jesus helps the man tormented by demons. It reminds us that God wants to free us from what harms us and bring us peace.
What can we learn from the man who was healed?
The man who was healed shows us how to respond to God’s help. We should thank God and share with others what He has done for us.
Faith and Freedom in Christ
Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 shows us the power of faith and Christ’s ability to heal. The first reading reminds us of the great men and women who trusted in God through suffering and trials. Their faith carried them through difficult times, even when they did not see God’s promises fulfilled in their lifetime. This teaches us that faith is about trusting God in all circumstances.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus casting out demons and freeing a man from torment. This shows that Jesus has power over evil and cares deeply about freeing people from suffering. The man, once healed, is sent to share his story with others. His healing reminds us that Christ not only brings peace to individuals but also asks them to share the good news with the world.
The readings together show us the importance of trust and perseverance in faith. They also remind us to see Jesus as our source of healing and strength. Faith is not always easy, but it gives us hope in God’s promises and His power to save.
Your Turn
Take time to reflect on the readings for Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. Think about how they connect with your own faith journey. Have you faced trials where you had to trust God even when things were hard? Have you experienced healing or peace that you could share with others?
Consider commenting below to share your thoughts and experiences. Your story might help others grow in their faith.
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