Week of 2–8 February

Use alone or with family.
Read slowly. Think honestly. End with the prayer.

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MONDAY 2 FEBRUARY – The Presentation of the Lord

Seeing What Others Miss

Reflection
Simeon waits his whole life to see God’s promise fulfilled.
When Mary and Joseph arrive with Jesus, nothing looks special.
No crowd. No sign. Just a poor couple and a child.

Yet Simeon recognises Him as
“a light for revelation to the nations.”

Faith is not about dramatic signs.
It is about learning how to see.

Light does not only comfort.
It reveals — and revelation can disturb.
Simeon speaks not only of joy but of suffering.
From the beginning, Christ is light and cross together.

Scripture
“My eyes have seen your salvation… a light for revelation to the nations.” (Luke 2:30–32)

Questions
What makes it hard to notice God at work in ordinary life?
Do I expect God to be obvious instead of faithful?

Action
Sit in silence for two minutes and pray:
“Lord, teach me to see.”

Prayer
Christ our light,
train my eyes to recognise You
even when You come quietly.
Amen.

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TUESDAY 3 FEBRUARY – Saint Blaise

Faith in a Body That Suffers

Who was Saint Blaise?
Saint Blaise lived in the early 4th century in Armenia.
He was a bishop and a doctor, known for caring for the sick and poor.
During a persecution of Christians, he was imprisoned.
A mother brought him her child who was choking, and Blaise prayed over the child and he was healed.
He was later killed for refusing to deny Christ.

Reflection
The blessing of throats is not superstition.
It is a confession: God cares about bodies as well as souls.

Jesus does not explain suffering away.
He enters it.

Faith does not mean life will be painless.
It means pain is no longer meaningless.

Saint Blaise shows us that
suffering does not cancel faith,
and healing does not replace courage.

Scripture
“Do not be afraid; only believe.” (Mark 5:36)

Questions
Where do I expect God to make life easy?
What would trusting God look like instead of controlling everything?

Action
Offer one worry today consciously to God.

Prayer
Lord,
teach me trust that does not depend on comfort.
Amen.

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WEDNESDAY 4 FEBRUARY – Saint Gilbert of Sempringham

The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency

Who was Saint Gilbert?
Saint Gilbert lived in England in the 1100s.
He was a parish priest who saw that women who wanted to give their lives to God had almost no opportunities.
He founded a religious community for both women and men — the Gilbertine Order, the only religious order founded in medieval England.
He lived simply and was often criticised, but remained obedient to the Church.

Reflection
Scripture warns against trusting strength, numbers, or success instead of God.
Gilbert’s holiness is quiet because it is receptive.

Humility is not weakness.
It is realism.

Baptism teaches us that life is received, not produced.
Grace works where control is surrendered.

Modern culture trains us to be self-made.
Christian faith trains us to be God-dependent.

Scripture
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Questions
Where do I rely on myself instead of God?
What would “receiving life” look like instead of managing it?

Action
Entrust one decision today deliberately to God.

Prayer
Lord,
free me from the illusion that I save myself.
Amen.

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THURSDAY 5 FEBRUARY – Saint Agatha

Strength That Refuses to Compromise

Who was Saint Agatha?
Saint Agatha lived in Sicily in the 200s, when Christianity was illegal.
She was a young woman who chose to belong to Christ rather than to a powerful Roman official who wanted to control her.
She was imprisoned and tortured for refusing to deny her faith and died a martyr.

Reflection
Agatha does not resist with power.
She resists with fidelity.

Her strength is not political.
It is spiritual.

Christian courage is not loud rebellion.
It is quiet refusal to betray truth.

Baptism gives an identity deeper than approval.
Holiness costs something —
but fear costs more.

Scripture
“Remain in my love.” (John 15:9)

Questions
Where am I tempted to dilute my faith to fit in?
What would faithfulness look like there?

Action
Choose one honest act today that risks disapproval.

Prayer
Lord,
teach me fidelity when compromise feels easier.
Amen.

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FRIDAY 6 FEBRUARY – Saint Paul Miki and Companions

Faith That Will Not Be Silent

Who was Saint Paul Miki?
Saint Paul Miki lived in Japan in the 1500s.
He was a Jesuit priest who preached openly when Christianity was becoming illegal.
He and 25 others were arrested and forced to walk hundreds of miles to Nagasaki, where they were crucified.
From the cross, Paul Miki preached forgiveness and declared his faith in Christ.

Reflection
Paul Miki preaches from the cross.

Faith is never just private opinion.
It becomes public reality.

Silence can be comfort.
But it can also be denial.

Baptism gives a voice —
whether we use it or not.

Scripture
“You will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8)

Questions
Where do I hide my faith to avoid discomfort?
Is my Christianity visible or invisible?

Action
Make one deliberate sign of faith today.

Prayer
Lord,
give me a faith that can be seen.
Amen.

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SATURDAY 7 FEBRUARY – Asking for the Right Gift

What Do I Really Want from God?

Reflection
Solomon could ask for anything.
He asks for wisdom.

Wisdom is not intelligence.
It is alignment.

Jesus shows wisdom by responding to need, not pressure.

Most prayer is about outcomes.
Scripture invites us to desire orientation.

Not:
“Make this easy.”
But:
“Teach me how to live rightly.”

Scripture
“Give your servant an understanding heart.” (1 Kings 3:9)

Questions
What do I usually ask God for?
What would it mean to ask for wisdom instead?

Action
Pray once today without asking for results — only for clarity.

Prayer
Lord,
reshape my desires by Your will.
Amen.

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SUNDAY 8 FEBRUARY – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Life That Only Makes Sense If God Is Real

Reflection
Jesus does not say, “Try to be light.”
He says, “You are light.”

Faith is not private spirituality.
It is visible existence.

Christian life should look strange without God:
forgiveness that costs,
hope that resists despair,
love that isn’t profitable.

If God were removed from my life,
would my life still make sense?

Scripture
“You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

Questions
Would someone know I am Christian by how I live?
What would need to change for my life to point more clearly to God?

Action
Choose one visible act of Christian love this week.

Prayer
Lord,
let my life make sense
only in Your light.
Amen.