January 31, 2026 // Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: 2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17
Reflect on the Word //
The bitter, accusing words rolled off my lips. Instead of winning the argument for me, however, they sank into my heart. I only recognized these failings in my neighbor—and likely wrongly so—because I had these sins and bad habits myself. This situation has occurred countless times in my life (usually in conversations with members of my family). When I judge others, the judgment turns back on me.
King David had a similar experience in today’s First Reading. The prophet Nathan came to him with a case for the king to judge, which turned out to be a parable. A rich man took the possession of a poor man, when the rich man had no need of the possession. David had taken another man’s wife and had the man strategically placed to be killed in battle, even though, as the king, David had many wives already. Nathan’s words, “You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7) struck David to the core, and they should strike us as well.
I am the sinner who acts without thinking. I am the sister and daughter who acts selfishly, the wife who holds back from the call to love, the mother who complains. Nathan tells David that the child born of his sin “must surely die” (2 Samuel 12:14), and David does penance in reparation for his sin. The Lord forgave David, and the Lord forgives us. But the fruit of our bad habits and sin must die in our lives. We must offer them to the Lord to root out. My habits of selfishness and failure to love must die and be replaced with a grateful self-gift to God by loving those in my daily life.
Sister, the Sacrament of Confession is the gift Jesus gave us as a means to heal us of our sins. Jesus does not want to condemn us, but to forgive us and make us whole. We must go to the Sacrament again and again to let Him root out the sin in our lives. While the realization of our failures is painful and repentance takes courage and humility, restoration in God’s love is better than anything.
Relate to the Lord // Ask the Lord to reveal to you the places you need deeper healing, a more pure heart, or His fortifying love. Let His love restore you.
Susanna Spencer holds a master's in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and is the Devotions Editor for Blessed is She. She is a freelance writer and editor and a teacher. She lives with her philosopher husband, three teen daughters, one pre-teen son, and a miracle baby girl in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She loves reading theology and novels, attending beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious food, and casually following baseball. She is the author of the Gospel Studies including Seek His Kingdom: A Meditation on Matthew , Listen to Him: A Meditation on Mark, Preach in His Name: A Meditation on Luke, and Abide in His Love: A Meditation on John. She was the contributing author and editor for our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. She was the Theological Editor of the Blessed Conversations Studies. Find out more about her here.
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