Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – James 1:19-27: Be quick to listen, slow to anger, and live out God’s word. True religion is shown through caring for those in need and keeping oneself from worldly corruption.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 15: Those who live with integrity, avoid harm, reject wickedness, and refuse corruption will dwell with the Lord. They are secure and will not be shaken.
• Gospel – Mark 8:22-26: In Bethsaida, Jesus healed a blind man in two stages. First, the man’s vision was blurred, but after Jesus touched him again, his sight was fully restored. Jesus told him not to return to the village.

Lectionary Reference: 337

Upcoming dates: February 16, 2028, February 20, 2030

He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.

Mark 8:23

On Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings call us to live our faith in a simple and practical way. They show how we should act and what we need to avoid to follow Jesus faithfully.

• Quick to Listen: James reminds us to be slow to speak and slow to anger. Listening helps us understand others and reflect before acting.
• Controlling Speech: James tells us that controlling our words is important for a good life. Uncontrolled speech can hurt others and damage our witness.
• Being Doers of the Word: James urges us to live out what we hear in the Gospel. It’s not enough to listen; we must act on God’s teachings.
• Caring for the Needy: James highlights caring for the poor and vulnerable as a key part of true religion. Serving others shows our love for God in action.
• Avoiding Worldliness: James warns against being influenced by the world. To stay close to God, we must keep ourselves from sinful influences.
• Jesus Heals Blindness: In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus heals a blind man in stages. This reminds us that our faith journey may take time, but Jesus is always leading us to deeper understanding.

These readings call us to live with humility and to put our faith into action. By following Jesus’ example, we can live in a way that pleases God.

The readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, encourage us to grow in faith and live out the Gospel in simple, practical ways. James calls us to listen patiently, control our anger, and be doers of the word. In the Gospel, Jesus heals a blind man, reminding us that faith often grows gradually as we follow Him.

The Importance of Listening and Patience

In the first reading for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, James tells us to be slow to speak and slow to anger. This teaches us the value of listening before we respond. When we speak too quickly, we might say things we regret or misunderstand the situation. Patience allows us to reflect on what others are saying and consider our response.

In our daily lives, we often feel pressured to react immediately. Whether in conversations with friends, family, or even strangers, we may rush to defend ourselves or express our opinions. But James reminds us that listening carefully can help us grow in understanding and avoid unnecessary conflict.

Being slow to anger is also important. Anger often clouds our judgment and leads to harmful words or actions. By taking time to listen and reflect, we can avoid these pitfalls and grow in peace with others.

God Works in Quiet Moments

In the Gospel reading for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, Jesus takes the blind man away from the crowd to heal him. This detail shows us that sometimes God works in our lives in quiet and personal ways, away from the noise of the world. The healing takes place not in front of others, but in a private moment between Jesus and the man.

This reminds us that God does not always work in big, public ways. Often, His presence and guidance come in the stillness, when we are alone in prayer or reflection. Like the blind man, we need to trust that Jesus is with us, even when no one else sees it.

We live in a world filled with noise and distraction, but God often speaks to us when we are alone and quiet. Taking time for personal prayer and silence allows us to encounter God more deeply, just as the blind man did when Jesus took him aside.

Faith is a Process of Growth

A theme that connects both the first reading from James and the Gospel for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, is the idea that faith is a process. James speaks of being slow to anger and acting on what we hear in the word, while the Gospel shows Jesus healing the blind man in stages. Both readings teach that spiritual growth often happens gradually.

In our lives, we may want immediate answers or quick results, but faith usually grows over time. Just as Jesus healed the blind man step by step, God often works in our hearts slowly, helping us to see and understand more clearly as we walk with Him.

This process requires patience and trust. We may not always see the full picture right away, but if we stay close to God and keep following His word, He will lead us forward. Like the blind man who saw in stages, our journey of faith takes time, and we need to trust that God is guiding us each step of the way.

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The reflections for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, remind us to listen carefully, seek God in quiet moments, and trust the process of spiritual growth. God works in our lives, guiding us step by step. Through patience and faith, we can grow closer to Him and reflect His love in our actions.

Prayer

Lord, help us to listen before we speak and to be slow to anger. Guide us to seek You in quiet moments and to trust Your plan for our lives. Strengthen our faith as we walk with You each day, even when the journey is slow. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I practice listening more carefully to others in my daily life?
• In what ways can I make more time for quiet prayer to seek God’s presence?
• Do I sometimes expect quick results in my faith, rather than trusting God’s timing?
• How can I live out my faith more actively, as James urges, by helping others?

USCCB Reflection: Seeing with Eyes of Faith

In a USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, Dr. Jem Sullivan reflects on Jesus healing the blind man. The people’s faith helps bring the man to Jesus, showing the importance of community. Jesus heals the man in stages, first restoring his natural sight, then opening his eyes to faith. This story shows that healing brings us closer to both God and our community, and Jesus continues to heal through the Church’s sacraments, inviting us to see the world with new eyes of faith.

What date is Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Wednesday February 16, 2028.

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 Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Wednesday February 16, 2028 are:
First Reading  – James 1:19-27: Living Out God’s Word
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 15: Who Can Dwell in Your Holy Place, Lord?
Gospel – Mark 8:22-26: Jesus Heals the Blind Man

Why does James say we should be quick to listen and slow to speak?

James is telling us that listening helps us avoid speaking out of anger or without thinking. By being patient and listening first, we can respond more kindly and wisely.

What does James mean by being doers of the word?

James wants us to put our faith into action, not just hear God’s word but live it out every day. This means doing good, helping others, and following Jesus’ teachings.

Why is controlling our speech important in the reading from James?

James says that what we say has great power. If we don’t control our words, we can hurt others and lead ourselves away from living a holy life.

How does caring for others relate to faith in Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2?

James teaches that true faith means caring for those in need. By helping others, we show that we are living out our faith in real ways.

What does James mean by keeping oneself unstained by the world?

James warns against letting the world’s sinful influences lead us away from God. We should focus on living holy lives and avoid actions that go against God’s teachings.

Why does Jesus heal the blind man in stages in Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2?

The healing happens in stages to show that faith can grow slowly over time. Jesus shows patience and helps the man see fully, just as He helps us grow in faith step by step.

How can we apply the Gospel healing story to our lives?

Like the blind man, our faith may grow gradually. We can trust Jesus to guide us, even if our spiritual progress takes time.

What is the main lesson from the readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2?

The readings teach us to live out our faith by controlling our actions and speech, helping others, and trusting Jesus to lead us. Faith must be active and real in our daily lives.