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Gospel Reading for January 23, 2026 – Mark 3: 13-19
SACRAMENTS
Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
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He appointed 12 apostles to send them forth to preach and give them authority to drive out demons. How important it is to drive out demons, otherwise, it will be difficult to make people listen to your preaching.
During his 3-year ministry, Jesus was already preparing for the future when he would leave the apostles to continue his mission of salvation. Although salvation is a gift given to us, we have to use the gift if we are to benefit from it: to be integrated into the Church in Baptism where we too may receive the 3-fold mission to be prophets, priests and kings; to receive the Holy Spirit in a special way in Confirmation as adult followers of Christ; to receive God’s Word and Christ’s body and blood in the Eucharist; to receive God’s forgiveness that will drive out the demons in us, hence, be reconciled to him in Reconciliation; to receive physical and spiritual healing in Anointing of the Sick; to receive God’s blessing on the union of husband and wife in Matrimony; to receive God’s authority to lead and be shepherds of the Faithful in the Sacrament of Ordination.
These SACRAMENTS give us everything we need to be saved. So blessed are we!
Lord Jesus, help us be faithful to the mission you have given us!
