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Daily Readings
Weekly reading
Readings for the week of January 18, 2026
- Sunday: Is 49:3, 5-6 / Ps 40:2 and 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 / 1 Cor 1:1-3 / Jn 1:29-34
- Monday: 1 Sm 15:16-23 / Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23 / Mk 2:18-22
- Tuesday: 1 Sm 16:1-13 / Ps 89:20, 21-22, 27-28 / Mk 2:23-28
- Wednesday: 1 Sm 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 / Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10 / Mk 3:1-6
- Thursday: 1 Sm 18:6-9; 19:1-7 / Ps 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13 / Mk 3:7-12
- Friday: 1 Sm 24:3-21 / Ps 57:2, 3-4, 6 and 11 / Mk 3:13-19
- Saturday: 2 Sm 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27 / Ps 80:2-3, 5-7 / Mk 3:20-21
- Next Sunday: Is 8:23-9:3 / Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 / 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 / Mt 4:12-23 or 4:12-17
Pastor Message and Prayer
1/18
Justice is the best foundation for peace
READ MICAH, CHAPTER 5, VERSES 1 TO 4
Two great themes characterize the Book of Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah: justice and peace. The justice is missing from Micah's world; the peace is to come. Micah speaks out against those the poor (Micah 2:1-2) and leaders who operate on bribery and influence (Micah 3:10-11). God is opposed to all these injustices and will punish Israel for her unfaithfulness. But Micah looks forward to a future in which God's justice will reigh, and the chief trait of that future will be peace. Micah declares that on that day nations "will beat their swords into plowshares" and no longer train for war (Micah 4:3).
In today's passage, Micah looks forward to a just ruler who will come from Bethlehem. He will shepherd the flock of Israel in the strength of the Lord and he will bring peace. Matthew associates this great ruller with Jesus. The Magi are led by this passage from Micah to look for the Christ Child in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:6).
"Now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace."
MICAH 5:4
Micah understands that justice and peace are related. Without justice, violence and war will easily erupt. Where true justice flourishes, dreams for lasting peace can be realized. Justice is the foundation of peace. Matthew reflects this truth when he situates the Prince of Peace within Herod's corrupt efforts to destroy him (Matthew 2:16). Believers who hear the bibilical message of both testaments must not only understand the relationship between justice and peace but act upon it. God calls us to oppose injustice and promote right relationship between people and nations. Otherwise the peace we desire will remain only a dream.
What concrete step can I take to promote what is just in my circumstances?
Prayer Starter: God of peace, I long for the tranquility of your creation. Motivate me to hasten your promise by opposing what is wrong and defending the poor and the weak.
Fr. Joachim
St. Mary Mass Times
Saturday 6:00pm
Sunday 8:30am
Daily Mass Times
Wednesday 8:30am
Wednesday: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9am-9:30am
Friday 8:30am
First Friday 8:30am Healing Mass and Adoration
Confession Times
Saturday from 5:30-5:50 or
by appointment by calling the Rectory at 815-858-3422
St. Mary Office Hours
Wednesday 8:30 am- 3:30 p.m.. by appointment
Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
