THE MEMORIAL OF ST FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
THE MEMORIAL OF ST FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
"He [Jesus] came home. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” (Mark 3: 20 - 21).
Saturday, 24th January 2026, in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time.
First let us consider the background to today's Gospel.
Jesus is home in Capernaum. He has a room and board here.
Simon Peter and brother Andrew also live here.
Where is Mary and the relatives of Jesus? They live in Nazareth, 30 miles away.
The report they received of the activities of Jesus was so concerning that they decided to make the very long trip to confront Jesus.
For Jesus, constant preaching, teaching and healing was just the normal routine for the the Son of Man who had no time to stand and stare or eat. He was also training His seminarians to show them what ministry after seminary would look like.
The message for us here is not that Master and disciples have no time to eat but the cutting criticism from family and foe: "He is insane."
If you are super sensitive to criticism, forget ministry and look for a profession where you will be applauded always.
Remember that Jesus says that He does not look for or care for the applause of human beings. Why? He knows who He is and that is enough that His Father and the Holy Spirit affirm Him.
Followers of Jesus should be inspired by this great truth. The praise of human beings are worthless.
They sing your hosanna today and the next day shout from the top of their lungs "Crucify him. Crucify him." Only God is worthy of trust.
If you want to make important decisions in life, ask yourself this question: "Where is the greatest love to be found?"
Pope Francis shared this tip
in a letter celebrating 400th anniversary of St Francis de Sales whose feast day is today.
The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January.
“The name of Jesus Christ is terrible for demons, passions of the soul and diseases. Let us adorn and protect ourselves with it.”
“The devils tremble and fly at the invocation of this holy name… He who in temptation calls upon Jesus shall not fall; and he who constantly invokes Him shall not fall, and shall be saved.”
For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, click the link below
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