5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (February 4, 2024)

Job 7.1-4, 6-7; 1 Cor 9.16-19, 22-23; Mk 1.29-39

• Job’s witness reminds us that every person experiences suffering. In our suffering we may feel that there is no end, no solution, to our pain. As Catholics, however, we know that every part of our lives, even suffering, has meaning. St. Paul affirms this when he says that he became weak “to win the weak.” Weakness is not good in itself, but we can choose to be so, in order to better spread the Gospel of Christ.

• Suffering is in a sense natural during the course of one’s life. So, we must, especially during our trials, always remember God’s consoling words spoken through the Psalmist: Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted! The Lord “binds up” our wounds and “sustains the lowly” because He is good and mighty in power.

• Remember Christian: sadness is an ally of the Devil. We must bring hope to our brothers and sisters who are suffering from depression, who are contemplating self-harm, suicide, or euthanasia. Life is worth living because God loves us!

Pro-Life Intercession

That all who despair because of a past abortion may open their hearts to repentance and the merciful forgiveness of the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted, we pray to the Lord ...