February 4, 2026
Wednesday of the Fourth Week
in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 325
Reading
1
King David said to
Joab and the leaders of the army who were with him,
“Tour all the tribes in Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba
and register the people, that I may know their number.”
Joab then reported to the king the number of people registered:
in Israel, eight hundred thousand men fit for military service;
in Judah, five hundred thousand.
Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people,
and said to the LORD:
“I have sinned grievously in what I have done.
But now, LORD, forgive the guilt of your servant,
for I have been very foolish.”
When David rose in the morning,
the LORD had spoken to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying:
“Go and say to David, ‘This is what the LORD says:
I offer you three alternatives;
choose one of them, and I will inflict it on you.’”
Gad then went to David to inform him.
He asked: “Do you want a three years’ famine to come upon your land,
or to flee from your enemy three months while he pursues you,
or to have a three days’ pestilence in your land?
Now consider and decide what I must reply to him who sent me.”
David answered Gad: “I am in very serious difficulty.
Let us fall by the hand of God, for he is most merciful;
but let me not fall by the hand of man.”
Thus David chose the pestilence.
Now it was the time of the wheat harvest
when the plague broke out among the people.
The LORD then sent a pestilence over Israel
from morning until the time appointed,
and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beer-sheba died.
But when the angel stretched forth his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it,
the LORD regretted the calamity
and said to the angel causing the destruction among the people,
“Enough now! Stay your hand.”
The angel of the LORD was then standing
at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
When David saw the angel who was striking the people,
he said to the LORD: “It is I who have sinned;
it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong.
But these are sheep; what have they done?
Punish me and my kindred.”
Responsorial
Psalm
R. (see 5c) Lord,
forgive the wrong I have done.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus departed
from there and came to his native place,
accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Commentary on 2
Samuel 24:2,8-17
Today we have our last reading from the Second Book of
Samuel, where we are coming to the end of David’s life. The reading comes from
the final chapter of 2 Samuel. It seems that the material was originally part
of chapter 21, where we are told that there had been three consecutive years of
famine.
David gives a command for a military census to be made of
the whole country from the far north (Dan) to the very south (Beer-sheba).
However, as soon as it was done, David deeply regretted what he had done. The
preceding verse (not in our reading) implies that David’s decision was the
result of God’s anger against the people and would result in a lot of
suffering.
The census does not appear to have been prompted by any
external threat. Since he wanted to “know how many there are”, it is evident that
his action was motivated either by pride in the size of the empire he had
acquired or by reliance for his security on the size of the reserve of manpower
he could muster in an emergency or, more likely, both.
The mere taking of a census was hardly sinful (there were
precedents in the past), but in this instance it represented an unwarranted
glorying in and dependence on human power rather than the Lord (not much
different from Israel’s initial desire to have a king for their security, see 1
Sam 8-12). In those days a census was often considered impious because it
usurped the prerogative of God to whom alone it belonged to give increase to
family and nation. The act in many ways was uncharacteristic of David.
The result of the census found that in Israel (the northern
part of the kingdom) there were 800,000 men fit for military service and in
Judah (the southern part) there were 500,000. Even by today’s standards for a
large country, they would be huge figures, so we can take it they are highly
inflated. This, of course, only makes clearer the taking of the census as a
kind of hubris.
Almost immediately, David could see the whole exercise as a
not so subtle act of arrogance, of pride in the size of his kingdom, and of the
material resources he had to deal with any enemies. In other words, it seemed
to turn the focus away from the Israelites’ real source of strength and
security, namely, the Lord God, and towards themselves. David now begs God’s
forgiveness for what he has done.
And indeed God seems to concur with David’s view. The
following day, Gad the seer is sent with a message. David is offered a choice
of three forms of punishment: three years of famine, to be on the run from his
enemies for three months, or endure a pestilence for three days. The three alternative
judgments were all included in the curses that Moses said would come on God’s
people when they failed to adhere to their covenant obligations (see Deut
28:15-25).
It was a very difficult choice, but David chose the last of
the three—three days of pestilence and said:
Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is
great…
David, who knew both God and war, knew that even in his
anger God was more merciful than man let loose in the rampages of war (see Ps
30:5).
It may have been only three days, but it coincided with the
time of the wheat harvest. The death toll throughout the nation was 70,000
people. But as the plague was about to destroy Jerusalem, God relented and
stayed the hand of the avenging angel. He stopped at the threshing floor of
Araunah the Jebusite. This was located on Mount Moriah, immediately north of
David’s city and overlooking it. Later it would become the site of the Temple.
Characteristically, David takes responsibility for the sin
that had been committed. The sin was his and not that of the people. It was
David’s decision to have the census. They should not have had to suffer:
I alone have sinned, and I, the shepherd, have done evil,
but these sheep, what have they done? Let your hand, I pray, be against me and
against my father’s house [but not against his people].
The people of Israel were certainly not without guilt; in
fact, it was the Lord’s anger against them that led David to order the census
for which they would have to pay the price. Even so, David characteristically
assumes full blame for his own act and acknowledges his responsibility as king
for the well-being of the Lord’s people.
The story reminds us of the subtle arrogance that can rule
our lives. We can set so much store by our intellectual or academic abilities,
by our professional skills or status, or by the material goods we have
accumulated. And we forget how really vulnerable we are and how little we can
do without God’s help.
There is also our constant tendency to lay the blame on
others when things go wrong. We don’t find it easy to follow David’s example.
Let us reflect today on where we put our day to day security and where God fits
into our lifestyle.
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Commentary on Mark
6:1-6
Jesus returns to his home town in the company of his
disciples. On the Sabbath day, as was his right, he began teaching in the
synagogue. His listeners, who all knew him since he was a child, are staggered
at the authoritative way he speaks, and by what he says:
Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that
has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands!
He had no more education than any of his fellow-villagers.
But the point is that they do recognise his wisdom and his
power to perform miracles. Yet, he is ‘only’ the son of a carpenter and of
Mary, related to James and Joses and Jude and Simon, and with “sisters” as
well.
And because they knew him so well, because they were so
familiar with him, they could not accept him. They deliberately chose not to
see what was happening before their very eyes. This, of course, is the irony of
the whole situation—they did not know him at all. They were blinded by their
superficial familiarity.
This trap of familiarity is one we can all fall into very
easily. How many times have we failed to recognise the voice of Jesus speaking
to us because the person is someone we meet every day, a person we may not like
or may even despise? But God can and does talk to us through all kinds of
people, Catholic or not, relative, friend, colleague, our own children, total
stranger, educated, uneducated and many others.
Jesus says to them:
Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown
and among their own kin and in their own house.
This is a saying known in other cultures and an experience
all too often repeated in our own day. In comparing himself to the Hebrew
prophets who went before him, Jesus foreshadows his ultimate rejection by many
of his own people. We have already seen his problems with his own family, and
now with his townspeople—and it is not the end.
As a result of the townspeople’s deliberate blindness, we
are told Jesus:
…could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his
hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
He could not help those who had no faith in him. Jesus never
forces himself on us. Jesus waits patiently and works only when we cooperate
and open ourselves to him. Mark often says how amazed the people are at Jesus’
teaching. Sadly now, as the last line reads, it is Jesus’ turn to be amazed at
his hometown’s lack of faith and trust in him.
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https://livingspace.sacredspace.ie/o2044g/
Wednesday,
February 4, 2026
. Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer
Lord our God, help us to love You with all our
hearts and to love all people as You love them. We ask this through our Lord
Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Reading - Mark 6: 1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native
place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in
the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did
this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty
deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and
the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters
here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is
not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his
own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from
curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their
lack of faith.
Reflection
The Gospel today speaks of the visit
of Jesus to Nazareth and describes the obstinacy of the people of Nazareth who
do not want to accept Him. (Mk 6: 1-6). Tomorrow the Gospel describes the
openness of Jesus toward the people of Galilee, shown through the sending out
of His disciples on mission (Mk 6: 7-13).
•
Mark 6: 1-2a: Jesus returns to Nazareth. At that
time Jesus went to His hometown, and His disciples accompanied Him. “With the
coming of the Sabbath, He began teaching in the synagogue.” It is always good
to return to one’s hometown and to reunite with friends. After a long absence,
Jesus also returns, and as usual, on Saturday, He goes to the synagogue to
participate in the meeting of the community. Jesus was not the coordinator of
the community, but even though He was not, He takes the floor and begins to
teach. This is a sign that people could participate and express their own
opinion.
•
Mark 6: 2b-3: Reaction of the people of Nazareth
before Jesus. The people of Capernaum had accepted the teaching of Jesus (Mk 1:
22), but the people of Nazareth did not like the words of Jesus and were
scandalized. For what reason? Jesus, the boy whom they had known since He was
born, how is it that now He is so different? They do not accept God’s mystery
present in Jesus, a human being and common as they are and known by all! They
think that to be able to speak of God, He should be different from them! As we
can see, not everything went well for Jesus. The people who should have been
the first ones to accept the Good News were precisely those who had the
greatest difficulty accepting it. The conflict was not only with foreigners,
but especially with His relatives and with the people of Nazareth. They refused
to believe in Jesus, because they could not understand the mystery of God
embracing the person of Jesus. “From where do all these things come to Him? And
what wisdom is this which has been given to Him? And these miracles which are
worked by Him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of
James and Joses and Jude and Simon? His sisters too, are they not here with
us?” And they would not accept Him. They do not believe in Jesus!
•
The brothers and the sisters of Jesus. The
expression “brothers of Jesus” causes polemics among Catholics and Protestants.
Based on this text and on others, the Protestants say that Jesus had more
brothers and sisters and that Mary had more sons! The Catholics say that Mary
had no other sons. What should we think about all this? In the first place, the
two positions, that of Catholics and that of the Protestants, both have
arguments taken from the Bible and from the tradition of their respective
communities. Therefore, it is not proper to discuss this question with
arguments drawn only from reason. This is a question of profound convictions,
which have something to do with the faith sentiments both of Catholics and
Protestants. An argument taken only from reason cannot succeed in changing the
conviction of the heart! On the contrary, it irritates and draws others away!
Even when I do not agree with the opinion of another, I should always respect
it! We, both Catholics and Protestants, instead of discussing texts, should
unite to struggle in defense of life, created by God, a life which has been so
disfigured by poverty and injustice, by the lack of faith. We should remember
other phrases of Jesus: “I have come in order that they may have life and life
in abundance” (Jn 10: 10). “That all may be one, so that the world may believe
that You, Father, have sent Me” (Jn 17: 21). “Who is not against us is for us”
(Mk 10: 39-40).
•
Mark 6: 4-6. Jesus’ reaction before the attitude
of the people of Nazareth. Jesus knows very well that “nobody is a prophet in
his own country.” He says, “A prophet is despised only in his own country,
among his own relations and in his own house.” In fact, where there is no
acceptance or faith, people can do nothing. The preconception prevents this.
Even if Jesus wanted to do something, He cannot, and He is amazed at their lack
of faith. For this reason, before the closed door of His community “He began to
make a tour around the villages, teaching.” The experience of this rejection
led Jesus to change His practice. He goes to the other villages and, as we
shall see in tomorrow’s Gospel, He gets the disciples involved in the mission
instructing them on how they have to continue the mission.
Personal Questions
•
Jesus had problems with His relatives and with
His community. From the time when you began to live the Gospel better, has
something changed in your relationship with your family and with your
relatives?
•
Jesus cannot work many miracles in Nazareth
because faith is lacking. Today, does He find faith in us, in me?
•
Does the debate over Mary and Jesus' brothers
and sisters precipitate a change in our behavior or how we put faith into
action? Should this change how we treat the poor and marginalized?
Concluding Prayer
How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven, whose sin
blotted out.
How blessed are those to whom Yahweh imputes no guilt,
whose spirit harbors no deceit. (Ps 32: 1-2)
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