February 4, 2024 - One Bread, One Body
February 4, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle B Readings:
1) Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 147:1-6
2) 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Mark 1:29-39
Life-lines
“Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery?” —Job 7:1
Most people can relate to Job, for they have endured tragedies, deaths in their families, sicknesses, pain, and sufferings. Even those who have so far had easier lives know that life can be, and almost inevitably will be, hard. We all have the question of Job: “Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery?” We feel as if we “have been assigned months of misery” (Jb 7:3). Our days and nights drag on ever so slowly (Jb 7:4), while at the same time life passes all too quickly (Jb 7:6-7).
We cannot change the drudgery and slavery of our human condition. For example, St. Paul tried for years to rise above our human condition; finally, he was forced to cry out in desperation: “What a wretched man I am! Who can free me from this body under the power of death?” (Rm 7:24) Unlike Job, Paul amazingly received an answer to this previously unanswerable question. The answer was: “Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rm 7:25).
Only Jesus can make life worth living. He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn 14:6). He is “our only Master and Lord” (Jude 4). “There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12). Today, surrender your life to Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, I believe You are reaching out Your hand to me (see Mk 1:31). By faith, I take Your hand. You are my Savior and my only Hope.
Promise: “Preaching the gospel is not the subject of a boast; I am under compulsion and have no choice. I am ruined if I do not preach it! If I do it willingly, I have my recompense; if unwillingly, I am nonetheless entrusted with a charge.” —1 Cor 9:16-17
Praise: All praise to You, risen Lord of power and might. All creation is filled with Your glory. Alleluia!
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2024, through March 31, 2024. †Most Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 7, 2023."
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.