14 Mon Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop Memorial Jas 1:1-11/Mk 8:11-13 

15 Tue Weekday Jas 1:12-18/Mk 8:14-21

16 Wed Weekday Jas 1:19-27/Mk 8:22-26 

17 Thu Weekday [The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order] Jas 2:1-9/Mk 8:27-33 

18 Fri Weekday Jas 2:14-24, 26/Mk 8:34—9:1

19 Sat Weekday Jas 3:1-10/Mk 9:2-13 

20 SUN 7th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23/1 Cor 15:45-49/Lk 6:27-38 

We read on weekdays the next two weeks from the Letter of James, a letter addressed to the “twelve tribes of the dispersion.” Jewish-Christian exiles likely. They’re urged to bear up patiently in the hard circumstances they find themselves. It’s always hard to keep ideals when things are not going well.

In readings from the 8th and 9th chapters of Mark this week we hear of the growing opposition to Jesus from the pharisees who ask for a sign and questions from his own disciples. The readings mark the time when Jesus will head toward Jerusalem with his disciples.

We will be on our Lenten journey in two weeks. We hear the same caution Jesus gave his disciples then: “ Don’t listen to those who oppose me.” 

Saints Cyril and Methodius are remembered this Monday. Their work can throw some light on our current church debates about the language we should use in our liturgy and also the current situation in the Ukraine.