D.R.R.
January 11th 2004, 09:35 PM
“You Are My beloved Son”
Author: Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
January 11, 2004
Baptism of the Lord
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire. After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Introductory Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, fill me with your gifts. Come and take up your home in me who was reborn in you at the moment of my baptism.
Petition: Lord help me to realize that my baptism is the source of your grace for me. Help me to live my vocation to your spiritual life with a desire to know you, love you and follow you more closely today.
1. The Baptism of Our Lord. The feast of the Baptism of Our Lord comes as the “octave”, or the eighth and final day, of the Solemnity of the Epiphany which we celebrated last Sunday. It is tradition to celebrate great Solemnities with their octave. The Church wants to commemorate such feasts in the fullness of their meaning. Epiphany means “appearance”. For early Christians, Epiphany did not merely signify the manifestation of the new-born Christ Child to the wise men in Bethlehem. It was also a feast that recalled the many ways Christ reveals the truth about himself to us. The liturgy of the hours tells us that on that day three miracles are remembered: the star leads the wise men to the manger, Christ performs his first miracle at the wedding at Cana by turning water into wine, and Christ desires to receive baptism from John in the River Jordan. All of these and many other signs are “epiphanies” by which we come to know him as God-among-us, our brother and our Savior.
2. No need of baptism. It is obvious that Christ was in no need of baptism. He was innocent and John’s baptism of repentance and conversion had no effect on him. In fact the Baptist recognizes Christ coming to him and says that he is not worthy to baptize him. The fathers of the Church saw Christ’s desire to be baptized as a transformation of the meaning of baptism from the symbolic baptism of John to the preparation of the transforming and grace-communicating sacramental baptism of Christ. Christ did not seek to be cleansed by the waters but to cleanse them with his pure body, thereby preparing them and transmitting to them the power of baptism, sanctifying baptism and burying the old Adam in the waters.
3. Open the heavens. Christ has come to open the heavens for us. The Father sends down his Spirit, giving us the possibility through this sacrament to enter into that divine love shared between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is our entry point into his Church and his life. By this sacrament we are made co-heirs of his kingdom, not through any merit of our own but by a regenerating spiritual birth in Christ: “…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (Jn 3,5).
Dialogue with Christ: Lord, Jesus Christ, you have given me the gift of your life through the power of the Holy Spirit. I thank you for these gifts and want to grow in them daily. Keep me close to you. Inspire me with greater desires to be your zealous apostle and saver of souls.
Resolution: I will tell someone, perhaps someone who has not been baptized or has not wanted to baptize their child, about the graces and possibilities that baptism opens up to a soul.
By Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fishers of Men
Author: Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
January 12, 2004
Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 1 : 14 - 20
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I know you have a plan for me. Help me to be patient as you slowly reveal it to me. Give me the grace to accept it and to be faithful to you by living it out.
Petition: Lord, help me to be a fisher of souls
1. Powerful Nets. A laborer relies heavily on his tools. Observe any tradesman or woman and you will see how carefully he keeps them in good working condition. When Christ gives his apostles their mission he offers them powerful nets—ones that will bring in souls, not fish. An early Christian writer remarks that these were the nets of holy preaching that pull souls out of the sea of sin and error to the light of Christ. As fishermen they hauled fish to their death, as apostles they will haul souls to life in Christ.
2. My Mission. Christ has a mission for me too. Maybe he is about to appear on my shoreline. Or maybe he already has. I know that he is going to give me powerful nets, ones that will never tear or need mending. The sea is deep and there are many souls waiting for his nets. He only needs fishers who will go out and gather them in. I have worked long and hard at many different labors, some of them fruitful, others not very. Some of my work has been spent seeking myself, furthering my own education, career, projects, dreams. Some of my work has been given for others. Now Christ is giving me nets that will work for him. These nets that he places in my hands will result in the biggest catch – one that is for him, for the others and for me. I love my mission!
3. Christ’s call. The apostles responded to Christ’s call immediately. They understood the urgency and were drawn by the invitation. It was risky because it implied great changes in their lives and plans but they knew that it was one of those risks worth taking, because there was so much at stake, so much to gain. In fact there was more risk in hesitation. They knew this was the chance of a lifetime that needed an immediate and determined response. Christ did not let them down. Christ is offering me the chance of a lifetime. I just need to look up from my nets to see him close to me and hear his call to me. I need the grace to answer his call without wavering.
Dialogue with Christ: Lord, help me to be ready to be your fisherman. I do not want to reject you or your call. Prepare my soul to receive it with great willingness and openness. Never let me put conditions on my response to you. I know your plan is for souls to save souls. I pledge myself to this mission. Use me where you need me.
Resolution: I will actively seek out the will of God in my life with the clear understanding that whatever vocation he is calling me to is one where I will help him save souls.
By Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Holy One of God
Author: Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
January 13, 2004
Saint Hilary
Mark 1 : 21 - 28
Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-- the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
Introductory Prayer: Jesus Christ, you are my Lord and my God. I worship you in all your divinity. I dedicate my life to you and the building up of your Kingdom. Give me the grace to continue faithful in your love.
Petition: Lord, help me to recognize you more and more as my God and Savior. Help me to make that truth more real in my life.
1. The Holy One of God. In these days after the celebration of Christ’s epiphany we see him as God manifest to us and to all nations in many ways. All of Christ’s actions are a manifestation of his power, glory and divinity – his miracles, his baptism in the Jordan, his preaching, his transfiguration – all these show him as the Son of God. Even the evil spirits recognize this by calling him the Holy One of God. This truth was for Christ alone to reveal and he rebukes the evil spirit for usurping that right. Christ is fully manifest to us in many ways, and yet we live in a society where an evil spirit seeks hide that truth from us and from others. It suggests that Jesus was a mere historical figure; a good man, but not much more. Many, unfortunately even some self-professed Christians, would reduce him to the status of just another prophet, equal or complementary to others who have brought an important message to the world.
2. Unchanging Truth. True knowledge of Christ comes from faith. Faith comes from our union with him through baptism and is strengthened and rectified by our participation in his life through the sacraments. Grace allows us to tap into the authoritative truth of Christ’s teaching. We can possess that unchanging truth that Christ’s authority communicates to us through the sacraments. His authority awes us. Like those cured from foul and controlling demons we are liberated by this grace which is real, strong, and authoritative. With Christ I can do anything. I can conquer anything. I am truly free.
3. The Sacraments. If only we could have lived in the times of Christ and witnessed, first hand, the miracles and signs that he worked, heard him teach with authority. We do not have that grace but he did leave us graces that produce the same results. Through our baptism, through our frequent contact with him in the Eucharist and in the sacrament of penance, we can touch Christ and he touches us. The sacraments are not pious man-made rites. They are supernatural channels of grace instituted by Christ himself. One communion is just as powerful as the grace received by those who touched him when he walked on earth. One confession is as cleansing as any of Christ’s healings. Now, like then, we need to approach him with open hearts.
Dialogue with Christ: Jesus Christ, you are the Lord of my life. All I have comes from you and without you I am nothing. May you reign in my life and in all my thoughts, words and actions. Give me the grace to remain united to you and never let me fall away unfaithful.
Resolution: I will speak out against false and blasphemous notions that proclaim Christ to be less than he truly is: true God and true man. I will proclaim his truth in response to errors that are being spread about him.
By Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I Have Come for This Purpose
Author: Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
January 14, 2004
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, you are the Lord of life and history – of the story of my life and vocation. I love my call! Help me to serve you always in joy and sorrow, health and illness. Let me understand and help others to understand that by doing your will, we are giving you glory and advancing your Kingdom.
Petition: Help me embrace my cross and carry it as a light load.
1. Our Greatest Joy. The greatest gift that God gives us is found in the ability to serve him. This should be our greatest joy. And nothing gives him greater glory. When we use our God-given talents to serve him His glory shines through us. Death, pain, sickness can seem to rob us of the privilege of serving Him. Simon’s mother-in-law must have felt helpless and even useless at not being able serve the Master. Christ knew what ailed her, not only physically but spiritually. He wanted her well and she appreciated her recovered health. Not only did he free her from the debilitating fever, he gave her the opportunity to serve him. Nothing could give her greater satisfaction. Nothing gives God greater glory.
2. A Life of Crosses. Perhaps Simon’s mother-in-law would later learn that she had also served God through her suffering. Her son would certainly learn that in many ways. He would experience the agony of Christ’s suffering bitterly mixed with his own betrayal of his Master. Peter would also one day suffer the same glorious crucifixion that Christ had earlier suffered for us all. It is indeed a great grace to be able to unite our sufferings to his, knowing that they are not senseless or useless. What an honor to bear the same marks of Christ’s passion on our own bodies and lives. We should not yearn for a life without the cross but a life of crosses carried together with Christ at our side.
3. Christ’s healing. The cross was not Christ’s goal but a necessary means to an end. The goal was that we could have life and have that life to the full. This is what Christ brings to Simon’s household on that Sabbath day. Christ purposely chose to heal the sick on the Sabbath as a conquering sign of the victory over death that he won on Easter Sunday. He cured many others that day. They waited until sundown, the official end of the Sabbath since it was not in keeping with their law to do any work on that day. Christ teaches us that it is more than lawful to heal on the Sabbath. He wants to free us from the bondage of sin and its consequences.
Dialogue with Christ: Lord, thank you for your healing, especially the healing of my soul. Cure the sicknesses that still assail me from time to time. Give me your life-giving grace to inoculate me from all sin. Make me immune to its corruption. Keep me spiritually alive in you.
Resolution: I will bear my sufferings well, recognizing them as coming from Christ who needs me to carry them.
By Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
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© Regnum Christi http://www.regnumchristi.org/
Author: Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
January 11, 2004
Baptism of the Lord
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire. After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Introductory Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, fill me with your gifts. Come and take up your home in me who was reborn in you at the moment of my baptism.
Petition: Lord help me to realize that my baptism is the source of your grace for me. Help me to live my vocation to your spiritual life with a desire to know you, love you and follow you more closely today.
1. The Baptism of Our Lord. The feast of the Baptism of Our Lord comes as the “octave”, or the eighth and final day, of the Solemnity of the Epiphany which we celebrated last Sunday. It is tradition to celebrate great Solemnities with their octave. The Church wants to commemorate such feasts in the fullness of their meaning. Epiphany means “appearance”. For early Christians, Epiphany did not merely signify the manifestation of the new-born Christ Child to the wise men in Bethlehem. It was also a feast that recalled the many ways Christ reveals the truth about himself to us. The liturgy of the hours tells us that on that day three miracles are remembered: the star leads the wise men to the manger, Christ performs his first miracle at the wedding at Cana by turning water into wine, and Christ desires to receive baptism from John in the River Jordan. All of these and many other signs are “epiphanies” by which we come to know him as God-among-us, our brother and our Savior.
2. No need of baptism. It is obvious that Christ was in no need of baptism. He was innocent and John’s baptism of repentance and conversion had no effect on him. In fact the Baptist recognizes Christ coming to him and says that he is not worthy to baptize him. The fathers of the Church saw Christ’s desire to be baptized as a transformation of the meaning of baptism from the symbolic baptism of John to the preparation of the transforming and grace-communicating sacramental baptism of Christ. Christ did not seek to be cleansed by the waters but to cleanse them with his pure body, thereby preparing them and transmitting to them the power of baptism, sanctifying baptism and burying the old Adam in the waters.
3. Open the heavens. Christ has come to open the heavens for us. The Father sends down his Spirit, giving us the possibility through this sacrament to enter into that divine love shared between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is our entry point into his Church and his life. By this sacrament we are made co-heirs of his kingdom, not through any merit of our own but by a regenerating spiritual birth in Christ: “…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (Jn 3,5).
Dialogue with Christ: Lord, Jesus Christ, you have given me the gift of your life through the power of the Holy Spirit. I thank you for these gifts and want to grow in them daily. Keep me close to you. Inspire me with greater desires to be your zealous apostle and saver of souls.
Resolution: I will tell someone, perhaps someone who has not been baptized or has not wanted to baptize their child, about the graces and possibilities that baptism opens up to a soul.
By Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fishers of Men
Author: Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
January 12, 2004
Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 1 : 14 - 20
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I know you have a plan for me. Help me to be patient as you slowly reveal it to me. Give me the grace to accept it and to be faithful to you by living it out.
Petition: Lord, help me to be a fisher of souls
1. Powerful Nets. A laborer relies heavily on his tools. Observe any tradesman or woman and you will see how carefully he keeps them in good working condition. When Christ gives his apostles their mission he offers them powerful nets—ones that will bring in souls, not fish. An early Christian writer remarks that these were the nets of holy preaching that pull souls out of the sea of sin and error to the light of Christ. As fishermen they hauled fish to their death, as apostles they will haul souls to life in Christ.
2. My Mission. Christ has a mission for me too. Maybe he is about to appear on my shoreline. Or maybe he already has. I know that he is going to give me powerful nets, ones that will never tear or need mending. The sea is deep and there are many souls waiting for his nets. He only needs fishers who will go out and gather them in. I have worked long and hard at many different labors, some of them fruitful, others not very. Some of my work has been spent seeking myself, furthering my own education, career, projects, dreams. Some of my work has been given for others. Now Christ is giving me nets that will work for him. These nets that he places in my hands will result in the biggest catch – one that is for him, for the others and for me. I love my mission!
3. Christ’s call. The apostles responded to Christ’s call immediately. They understood the urgency and were drawn by the invitation. It was risky because it implied great changes in their lives and plans but they knew that it was one of those risks worth taking, because there was so much at stake, so much to gain. In fact there was more risk in hesitation. They knew this was the chance of a lifetime that needed an immediate and determined response. Christ did not let them down. Christ is offering me the chance of a lifetime. I just need to look up from my nets to see him close to me and hear his call to me. I need the grace to answer his call without wavering.
Dialogue with Christ: Lord, help me to be ready to be your fisherman. I do not want to reject you or your call. Prepare my soul to receive it with great willingness and openness. Never let me put conditions on my response to you. I know your plan is for souls to save souls. I pledge myself to this mission. Use me where you need me.
Resolution: I will actively seek out the will of God in my life with the clear understanding that whatever vocation he is calling me to is one where I will help him save souls.
By Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Holy One of God
Author: Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
January 13, 2004
Saint Hilary
Mark 1 : 21 - 28
Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-- the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
Introductory Prayer: Jesus Christ, you are my Lord and my God. I worship you in all your divinity. I dedicate my life to you and the building up of your Kingdom. Give me the grace to continue faithful in your love.
Petition: Lord, help me to recognize you more and more as my God and Savior. Help me to make that truth more real in my life.
1. The Holy One of God. In these days after the celebration of Christ’s epiphany we see him as God manifest to us and to all nations in many ways. All of Christ’s actions are a manifestation of his power, glory and divinity – his miracles, his baptism in the Jordan, his preaching, his transfiguration – all these show him as the Son of God. Even the evil spirits recognize this by calling him the Holy One of God. This truth was for Christ alone to reveal and he rebukes the evil spirit for usurping that right. Christ is fully manifest to us in many ways, and yet we live in a society where an evil spirit seeks hide that truth from us and from others. It suggests that Jesus was a mere historical figure; a good man, but not much more. Many, unfortunately even some self-professed Christians, would reduce him to the status of just another prophet, equal or complementary to others who have brought an important message to the world.
2. Unchanging Truth. True knowledge of Christ comes from faith. Faith comes from our union with him through baptism and is strengthened and rectified by our participation in his life through the sacraments. Grace allows us to tap into the authoritative truth of Christ’s teaching. We can possess that unchanging truth that Christ’s authority communicates to us through the sacraments. His authority awes us. Like those cured from foul and controlling demons we are liberated by this grace which is real, strong, and authoritative. With Christ I can do anything. I can conquer anything. I am truly free.
3. The Sacraments. If only we could have lived in the times of Christ and witnessed, first hand, the miracles and signs that he worked, heard him teach with authority. We do not have that grace but he did leave us graces that produce the same results. Through our baptism, through our frequent contact with him in the Eucharist and in the sacrament of penance, we can touch Christ and he touches us. The sacraments are not pious man-made rites. They are supernatural channels of grace instituted by Christ himself. One communion is just as powerful as the grace received by those who touched him when he walked on earth. One confession is as cleansing as any of Christ’s healings. Now, like then, we need to approach him with open hearts.
Dialogue with Christ: Jesus Christ, you are the Lord of my life. All I have comes from you and without you I am nothing. May you reign in my life and in all my thoughts, words and actions. Give me the grace to remain united to you and never let me fall away unfaithful.
Resolution: I will speak out against false and blasphemous notions that proclaim Christ to be less than he truly is: true God and true man. I will proclaim his truth in response to errors that are being spread about him.
By Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
We would like to announce that Catholic.net will be publishing daily meditations for young people. Many of you have wished to share this wonderful prayer resource with your children. Now you have the chance. To check them out please visit Catholic.net by clicking here.
Want to help us maintain this free service? Make a tax-deductible donation online by clicking here.This link will take you to the online donation page of the Legion of Christ, but accessing it by this specific link will create a report letting us know your donation is for the daily meditation service from RegnumChristi.org.Thank you and God bless you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I Have Come for This Purpose
Author: Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
January 14, 2004
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, you are the Lord of life and history – of the story of my life and vocation. I love my call! Help me to serve you always in joy and sorrow, health and illness. Let me understand and help others to understand that by doing your will, we are giving you glory and advancing your Kingdom.
Petition: Help me embrace my cross and carry it as a light load.
1. Our Greatest Joy. The greatest gift that God gives us is found in the ability to serve him. This should be our greatest joy. And nothing gives him greater glory. When we use our God-given talents to serve him His glory shines through us. Death, pain, sickness can seem to rob us of the privilege of serving Him. Simon’s mother-in-law must have felt helpless and even useless at not being able serve the Master. Christ knew what ailed her, not only physically but spiritually. He wanted her well and she appreciated her recovered health. Not only did he free her from the debilitating fever, he gave her the opportunity to serve him. Nothing could give her greater satisfaction. Nothing gives God greater glory.
2. A Life of Crosses. Perhaps Simon’s mother-in-law would later learn that she had also served God through her suffering. Her son would certainly learn that in many ways. He would experience the agony of Christ’s suffering bitterly mixed with his own betrayal of his Master. Peter would also one day suffer the same glorious crucifixion that Christ had earlier suffered for us all. It is indeed a great grace to be able to unite our sufferings to his, knowing that they are not senseless or useless. What an honor to bear the same marks of Christ’s passion on our own bodies and lives. We should not yearn for a life without the cross but a life of crosses carried together with Christ at our side.
3. Christ’s healing. The cross was not Christ’s goal but a necessary means to an end. The goal was that we could have life and have that life to the full. This is what Christ brings to Simon’s household on that Sabbath day. Christ purposely chose to heal the sick on the Sabbath as a conquering sign of the victory over death that he won on Easter Sunday. He cured many others that day. They waited until sundown, the official end of the Sabbath since it was not in keeping with their law to do any work on that day. Christ teaches us that it is more than lawful to heal on the Sabbath. He wants to free us from the bondage of sin and its consequences.
Dialogue with Christ: Lord, thank you for your healing, especially the healing of my soul. Cure the sicknesses that still assail me from time to time. Give me your life-giving grace to inoculate me from all sin. Make me immune to its corruption. Keep me spiritually alive in you.
Resolution: I will bear my sufferings well, recognizing them as coming from Christ who needs me to carry them.
By Father Timothy Mulcahey, LC
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