February is observed in many ways: as Black History Month, Catholic Press Month, even National Bird Feeding Month. A heightened appreciation of black contributions to our national story is an important corrective, including noteworthy Catholics like Pierre Toussaint, Daniel Rudd, Father Augustus Tolton, Julia Greeley, Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, Mother Henriette DeLille, and Sister Thea Bowman.

Today's readings explore different responses to human suffering: judgment or compassion.

So here you are, moving through life cheerfully in the midst of family, community, career. And one day you wake up with a mark on your skin. It itches. Maybe in a day or two it starts to peel, crack, bleed, or ooze.

There’s a common assumption that when people struggle to ask for help it’s because of pride—that they are too independent to admit they can’t do everything by themselves.

After spring break, a priest and fellow teacher with few remnants of the full head of hair he once had returned to school fitted with a toupee. When we all saw him for the first time, we couldn’t help but let our eyes travel right up to his new hairline.

We acknowledge our faults before the Lord, who takes away our sins.

He will provide the way and the means, such as you could never have imagined. Leave it all to him, let go of yourself, lose yourself on the cross, and you will find yourself entirely.

Browse our library for additional Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B material.

Click here to view the Take Five weekly for February 11, 2024.