31 January 2026 — Daily Mass Readings

 Saint John Bosco, Priest / Saturday of Week 3 in Ordinary Time

First Reading
2 Samuel 12:1–7, 10–17
Nathan the prophet was sent by the Lord to David. He told a story about a rich man taking a poor man’s only ewe lamb, which moved David to anger. Nathan then said, “You are the man!” and exposed David’s sin with Bathsheba and his orchestration of Uriah’s death. David immediately acknowledged his sin before the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 50(51):12–17
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
This psalm articulates the soul’s desire for restoration. It recognises sin and seeks God’s mercy, asking not only for forgiveness but for transformation — a heart that loves what is right and true.

Gospel
Mark 4:35–41
That day, as evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” A great windstorm arose on the sea, and the disciples, terrified, woke Jesus, who was asleep. Jesus rebuked the wind and sea, and there was a great calm. He then asked them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” They were filled with awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” 

Reflection
Today’s readings guide us through repentance, mercy, and trust.

In the First Reading, Nathan’s confrontation with David leads to immediate acknowledgement of sin. David does not excuse himself; he recognises the truth and owns his wrongdoing. The Responsorial Psalm takes up that same theme — asking God to “create in me a clean heart” and to renew a right spirit — not merely to wipe away guilt, but to remake the inner self.

The Gospel presents a different drama: the disciples face a literal storm. Their fear reveals the fragility of human trust. Jesus’ calm authority over wind and sea shows that the same Lord who calls us to honesty about sin is also the one who brings peace amid life’s tumult. His question, “Why are you afraid?” invites us into deeper confidence in his abiding presence.

A moment of pause

Where do you need to be honest about your need for God’s mercy? Where do you need to trust his peace amid your fears?