January 6, 2026 // Optional Memorial of Saint André Bessette, religious [In the Dioceses of the United States] 

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Mark 6:34-44 

Reflect on the Word //  

“We didn’t know it at the time, but God was using everything to prepare him for eternity.” Tears pricked my eyes as I texted my friend about the news of our pastor’s recent passing.  Just a month prior, she had championed my idea to start a spiritual bouquet at our parish for Father’s healing, even pledging ten Holy Hours herself to kick off the cause. 

An outpouring of promised intercession followed as my parish community collectively joined in the prayer effort for Jesus to touch this suffering shepherd and restore him to health. Hundreds of Masses and Rosaries, numerous novenas, and countless hours spent before the Blessed Sacrament were added to the bouquet, in hopes that we would be able to present our faithful priest with a beautiful gift of prayer when he recovered.  

But his recovery wasn't part of the divine plan. And when I learned from two tearful parishioners that he had died, my heart, like our Lord’s in today’s Gospel, “was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34).  

In my role as consecrated virgin and spiritual mother, Christ invited me to hold the mournful hearts of my parish family, as well as the questions that flowed from their grief: “Why did God let Father hang on for weeks just to take him away from us? Were our prayers even heard?”  

Oh, sister, our gifts seem like meager offerings when the miracle doesn’t come, don’t they? But the One Who multiplied bread and fish for the hungry (see Mark 6:38-44) can, without question, use our earthly fragments for glory. Every sacrifice, every prayer, and every whispered plea is a sacred offering that feeds and strengthens the soul, ours and the ones for whom we pour ourselves out. I am certain that one very sick priest was able to bear the crushing burden of his affliction because he was being filled by a powerful bouquet of prayer. 

And just like the overflowing baskets of leftover food from Jesus' miracle (see Mark 6:43), our offerings made in love are always enough for Jesus to work His miracles. 

Relate to the Lord // What will you offer to Jesus today, whether spiritually in prayer or materially through service to others?