January 2024: Mass Readings and Resources

January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. This feast day celebrates the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as the mother of our Lord Jesus.

St. Basil the Great was a fourth century Greek bishop. His feast day is January 2. He was a skilled orator who was known for supporting the Nicene creed over Arianism.

In the gospel for a Christmas weekday on January 3, John the Baptist points out Jesus and says, Behold, the Lamb of God.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton foundeds the first free Catholic school in America. Because of this, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is considered the founder of the parochial school system in the United States.

St. John Neumann was born in Eastern Europe in 1811. He traveled to the United Stated in his mid-20s in order to do missionary work. At age 29 he joined the Redemptorist order. He continued to serve those in his community, especially the immigrants. Eventually he became the bishop of Philadelphia. There he organized the first diocesan school system in the United States. In addition to his contributions to establishing Catholic education, he was also known for his holiness and his spiritual writings.

In the gospel for a Christmas weekday on January 6, we hear of the humility of John the Baptist and the the baptism of Jesus.

The readings for the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord tell of the revelation of Jesus Christ to all people. discussion of what gifts we could bring to the service of the Lord is appropriate. Also, the international aspect of the three Kings speaks to our common humanity and issues such as racism and immigration. Here are some ideas for youth ministry, classroom use, or in the home.

The readings for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Year B remind us that like Jesus, we are members of God’s family through the gift of baptism. So possible topics for this Sunday are baptism and the Holy Spirit. Evangelism and kinship with God might also be appropriate.

In the gospel for Tuesday of the 1st week in Ordinary Time,Jesus drives an unclean spirit from a man. The people are amazed by his authority. Jesus performed miracles which were seen as signs of his divine power.

In the gospel for Wednesday of the 1st week in Ordinary Time, we see a day in the life of Jesus. He heals Simon’s mother-in-law, cures the sick, and drives out evil spirits. But after all of this, he takes the time go get up early and pray.

In the gospel for Thursday of the 1st week in Ordinary Time, Jesus heals a leper. The leper approaches Jesus as a supplicant, saying, If you wish, you can heal me. He does not make demands on Jesus.

In the gospel for Friday of the 1st week in Ordinary Time, Jesus heals a paralytic man. His friends struggle to bring him in through the door because of the crowds. So they lower him through the roof instead.

In the gospel for Saturday of the 1st week in Ordinary Time, Jesus calls Matthew, also known as Levi, to follow him. Matthew was a tax collector, hated by his fellow Jews for collaborating with the Romans. But where others see a hated outsider, Jesus sees a potential disciple.

The readings for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B invite us to hear God calling and to respond. So possible themes for this Sunday are discipleship and listening for the call of God. Here are some ideas.

In the gospel for Monday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, people are asking Jesus why his disciples don’t fast like the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees. Jesus is not like the teachers they are accustomed to.

In the gospel for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, the disciples of Jesus pick and eat grain as they are walking through a field. It is the sabbath, and the Pharisees point out that this is a violation of the law. Jesus wants them to see that the law is made to meet the needs of the people.

In the gospel for Wednesday of the 2nd week in Ordinary Time, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the sabbath. Jesus challenges the idea of putting the law before people.

In the gospel for Thursday of the 2nd week in Ordinary Time a crowd presses in around Jesus as he preaches and heals. Even the demons he drives out recognize him as the Son of God.

In the gospel for Friday of the 2nd week in Ordinary Time, Jesus goes up a mountain an summons his apostles. He grants them authority to teach and drive out demons.

In the gospel for Saturday of the 2nd week in Ordinary Time, Jesus and his disciples don’t even have the opportunity to eat because of the demands of the mission. His relatives call him crazy because of this and try to stop him.

The readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B invite us to be transformed by the call of Jesus. So possible themes for this Sunday are evangelization, vocations, and discipleship.

January 22 is is designated as the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. It is a day of prayer and penance. When January 22 falls on a Sunday, this observance is moved to Monday.

In the gospel for Tuesday of the 3rd week in Ordinary Time, Jesus tells us that when we do God’s will, we are members of his family.

In the gospel for Wednesday of the 3rd week in Ordinary Time, Jesus tells the parable of the sower and the seed. We must be good soil, ready to accept the Word of God.

January 25 is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. St. Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus converted him from a persecutor of Christians to a fully committed follower of Jesus.

January 26 is the feast day of Sts. Timothy and Titus. St. Timothy is the patron saint of stomach ailments.St. Titus is the patron saint of the United States Army Chaplain Corps.

St. Angela Merici is the founder of the Ursuline order of religious sisters. She is the patron saint ofthe sick, the disabled, and all those grieving the loss of parents. Her feast day is January 27.

The readings for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B invite us to recognize Jesus and grant him authority in our lives. So possible themes for this Sunday are conversion and magesterium. Here are some ideas.

In the gospel for Monday of the 4th week in Ordinary Time, Jesus frees a man of his demons. He has been outcast and living in the tombs, a place of death.

In the gospel for Tuesday of the 4th week in Ordinary Time, we hear of two miracles which restore people. The little girl is restored to life. And the hemorrhaging woman is restored to full participation in the community.

St. John Bosco was a priest, educator, and founder of the Salesians, an order inspired by the example of St. Francis de Sales. His feast day is January 31. He devoted his life to educating disadvantaged youth and juvenile delinquents. He felt that love was more important in teaching than punishment. This method became known as the Salesian Preventative System. One of his students was St. Dominic Savio.