5 February 2026 (Thursday) / Saint Agatha, Virgin, Martyr on Thursday of week 4 in Ordinary Time / Saint Agatha, Virgin, Martyr Obligatory Memorial.Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

5 February 2026 (Thursday)

Saint Agatha, Virgin, Martyr on Thursday of week 4 in Ordinary Time.

Saint Agatha, Virgin, Martyr Obligatory Memorial.Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr.

Readings from the Bible of the Roman Catholic Church:

First Reading: First Kings 2: 1-4, 10-12
Responsorial Psalm: First Chronicles 29: 10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd
Alleluia: Mark 1: 15
Gospel: Mark 6: 7-13

First Reading : 1 Kings 2:1‐4,10‐12

As David’s life drew to its close he laid this charge on his son Solomon, ‘I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man. Observe the injunctions of the Lord your God, following his ways and keeping his laws, his commandments, his customs and his decrees, as it stands written in the Law of Moses, that so you may be successful in all you do and undertake, so that the Lord may fulfil the promise he made me, “If your sons are careful how they behave, and walk loyally before me with all their heart and soul, you shall never lack for a man on the throne of Israel.”’ So David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the Citadel of David. David’s reign over Israel lasted forty years: he reigned in Hebron for seven years, and in Jerusalem for thirty‐three. Solomon was seated upon the throne of David, and his sovereignty was securely established.

Responsive Psalm : 1 Chronicles 29:10‐12

You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
May you be blessed, O Lord,
  the God of Israel, our father,
  for ever, for ages unending!
You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
Yours, Lord, are greatness and power,
  and splendour, triumph, and glory.
  All is yours, in heaven and on earth.
You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
  you are supreme above all.
  Both honour and riches come from you.
You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
You are the ruler of all,
  from your hand come strength and power;
  from your hand come greatness and might.
You, Lord, are the ruler of all.

Alleluia: Mark 1: 15
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
15 The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mark 6:7‐13

Jesus made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’ And he said to them, ‘If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.

For our reflection today:

It is very significant that Jesus wants to involve the Twelve in his action from the outset: it is a sort of “apprenticeship” with a view to the great responsibility that awaited them. The fact that Jesus calls certain disciples to collaborate directly in his mission demonstrates one aspect of his love, namely, he does not spurn the help that other people can contribute to his work; he knows their limitations, their weaknesses, but bears no contempt for them. On the contrary Jesus confers on them the dignity of being his envoys. He sends them out two by two and gives them instructions which the Evangelist sums up in a few sentences. The first concerns the spirit of detachment: the Apostles must not be attached to money or to other comforts. Then Jesus warns the disciples that they will not always receive a favourable welcome. Sometimes they will be rejected; they might even be persecuted. However this must not frighten them: they must speak in Jesus’ name and preach the Kingdom of God without being worried about whether or not they will succeed. Succeed — its success must be left to God. (Pope Benedict XVI, Homily, Pastoral visit to Frascati, Italy, 15 July 2012)

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Pelayan Atasan Tertinggi / Most High Servant,
Yesus, Maria, Yusuf Pelayanan Kasih / Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)

My vocation is Blessed and Saints.

"I am the most humble of all the Saints in Heaven" Mary, Mother of God.

"I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me."

Mother Mary is the most humble Saint in Heaven and she is also the Mother of God for us all
(Luke 1:38)