Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15: In your struggles against sin, view hardships as divine discipline, a sign of God’s love and treatment as His children. Though challenging, this discipline leads to righteousness and healing.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103: Praise the Lord for His endless gifts and kindness. Like a compassionate father, He understands our frailty. His eternal mercy and righteousness bless those who revere and follow Him.
• Gospel – Mark 6:1-6: In his native place, Jesus’ teachings in the synagogue astonished locals. They questioned his wisdom and miraculous abilities, skeptical of his humble origins. Jesus noted a prophet’s lack of honor in his hometown. His ability to perform miracles was limited there due to their disbelief.

On Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings remind us of God’s discipline and Jesus’ rejection in His hometown. These lessons call us to reflect on faith, perseverance, and how we respond to correction and disbelief.

• God’s Loving Discipline: The first reading reminds us that God disciplines us because He loves us. His correction strengthens us and helps us grow in faith.
• Endurance Through Trials: Endurance is necessary when we face struggles. The reading shows that hardships can make us stronger and lead us closer to God.
• Peaceful Relationships: The reading calls us to seek peace with others. Forgiveness and unity are part of living a holy life.
• Avoiding Bitterness: Bitterness harms our souls and spreads to others. The reading warns us to stay vigilant and guard against it.
• Jesus Rejected by His Own: In the Gospel, Jesus is rejected in His hometown. This shows how people can doubt what is familiar, even when it comes from God.
• Faith and Miracles: The Gospel connects faith with the work of miracles. Lack of faith can block the good God wants to do in our lives.

These readings call us to trust God’s correction and grow in faith, even in hard times. They encourage us to examine our hearts and reject doubt and bitterness.

The readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourage us to reflect on how we handle challenges, rejection, and bitterness. They show us how faith and trust in God can help us grow through discipline and unexpected circumstances. These themes remind us to remain open to God’s work in our lives and relationships.

Staying Free from Bitterness

The first reading for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 warns us about the dangers of bitterness. Bitterness can grow quietly in our hearts and take hold before we even notice it. Once it takes root, it spreads to others, creating division and pain. The reading tells us to be vigilant and remove bitterness before it grows.

Bitterness often comes from being hurt or disappointed. Instead of holding on to these feelings, we are called to forgive. Letting go of bitterness frees us and helps us live in peace with others. It is not always easy, but God gives us strength when we ask Him for help.

We can apply this lesson to our daily lives by examining our hearts. Is there someone we need to forgive? Are there feelings of anger or resentment holding us back? By seeking peace with others, we follow the path to holiness and reflect God’s love in our lives.

Trusting God Beyond Appearances

In the Gospel for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus is rejected in His hometown. The people who knew Him struggled to believe in His mission because they were too focused on His family and background. They could not see past what they thought they knew, and their lack of faith limited what Jesus could do among them.

This reminds us how easy it is to doubt when things do not match our expectations. Sometimes we think we know how God should act, and we miss what He is really doing. Faith calls us to trust even when we do not understand.

We can reflect on times in our lives when we doubted because things seemed ordinary or unexpected. By letting go of these doubts, we open ourselves to the good God wants to do for us. The Gospel challenges us to trust God’s work, no matter how surprising or simple it may seem.

Faith During Challenges

The readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach that challenges are part of our journey of faith. The first reading explains that God disciplines us out of love to help us grow. Hard times can feel like punishment, but they are meant to strengthen us. When we endure struggles, we are better prepared to walk in holiness.

In the Gospel, Jesus faces rejection from the people who knew Him best. Instead of being discouraged, He continues His mission. His example reminds us that rejection and hardship are not the end of the story. Faith helps us move forward, trusting that God’s plan is still at work.

These readings encourage us to see challenges as opportunities to grow. They also teach us to persevere when we face rejection or difficulties. By keeping our faith strong and trusting God’s love, we can overcome struggles and stay on the path He has set for us.

These reflections challenge us to examine our faith and our response to God’s guidance. They also invite us to see struggles and rejection as opportunities to grow closer to Him. By trusting God and seeking peace, we can strengthen our faith and live in holiness.

Prayer

Lord, help me trust in Your plan, even when life is hard or confusing. Keep my heart free from bitterness, and guide me to forgive others. Strengthen my faith so I can follow You with confidence and love. Teach me to grow through every challenge and to walk in peace with those around me. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• Is there bitterness in my heart that I need to let go of?
• How can I grow in faith when life feels difficult?
• What helps me trust God when His plans seem unexpected?
• How do I respond to rejection or discipline in my life?

Word on Fire: Jesus’ Authority Surprises His Hometown

In Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, he discusses Jesus’ rejection in his hometown, as highlighted in the Gospel. Despite lacking formal religious education or affiliation, Jesus taught with astounding authority. Bishop Barron notes that Jesus, a layman and carpenter by background, surprised the crowds by speaking with authority greater than that of established religious figures, including Moses. His approach to teaching, contrasting with traditional rabbinic methods, emphasized his unique role and the surprising nature of his authority in the eyes of those who knew him from his early life.

USCCB Reflection: Questions of Faith in Nazareth

This USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 focuses on Jesus teaching in Nazareth’s synagogue. His words, distinct from other teachers, astonished the listeners. This prompted two types of questions: some seeking deeper understanding and leading to faith in Jesus as the Son of God, and others rooted in doubt and suspicion, hindering Jesus’ work. The reflection encourages bringing our questions to God with faith, allowing them to guide us towards greater understanding and deeper faith. It highlights that Jesus is the answer to every human question, as stated by Pope Saint John Paul II.

What date is Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Wednesday February 5, 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 Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Wednesday February 5, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15: Embrace God’s Discipline
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103: Endless Mercy of the Lord
Gospel – Mark 6:1-6: Rejection in Hometown

What does it mean that God disciplines us in the first reading for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

God disciplines us to help us grow in holiness. It shows His love and care, guiding us to become better and closer to Him.

How can we endure struggles in life?

The first reading teaches that struggles can strengthen us. We can ask God for strength and trust that He uses hard times to help us grow.

Why is peace with others important?

The reading reminds us that peace with others is part of living a holy life. We should forgive and work to build unity in our relationships.

What does the first reading for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 say about bitterness?

Bitterness can hurt us and spread to others. The reading encourages us to stay alert and avoid letting it take root in our hearts.

Why did people reject Jesus in His hometown in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Gospel shows that people doubted Jesus because they thought they knew Him too well. They could not see past His human family and upbringing to believe in His mission.

What can we learn from Jesus being rejected?

Jesus’ rejection reminds us that faith can be hard when we focus too much on what we think we know. It encourages us to trust God’s work, even when it seems unexpected.

How does faith connect to miracles?

The Gospel shows that Jesus’ miracles often happened where people had faith. When faith is weak, it can block what God wants to do in our lives.

What should we do when we face rejection?

Jesus shows us to keep trusting God even when others reject us. We can stay faithful and rely on God’s strength to guide us.

How can we apply these lessons to our lives?

We can welcome God’s correction, forgive others, and avoid bitterness. We can also strengthen our faith and trust God, especially in hard times.

What is the main message of these readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 call us to faith, endurance, and holiness. They encourage us to trust God’s work in our lives and respond to His love.