IF I COULD TOUCH HIS CLOAK

February 01, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Jesus is not concerned about the limits people seem to think He has. He knows that as His will is united with His Father’s will, that whatever He asks His Father will be given to Him when it comes to healing the sick or even raising the dead! Did He heal the girl or raise her from the dead? It does not really matter; all that matters is that she is alive! It is important that we focus on the truth that Jesus both heals and raises people from death (there is no doubt of this in the case of Lazarus [John 11]), and that we align our lives with His will so that we will work with His power and not against it.

 

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

 

Mark 5:21-43

21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” 24 He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him. 25 There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28 She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 31 But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” 35 While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. 41 He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

GO AND TELL ALL THAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR YOU

January 31, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus is willing to take on the unclean spirits and He is never defeated in battle. Jesus knows that He has the victory because He knows He is a Son of the Father. This is true of us as well and thus we need never fear the battle with the devil as we have victory in Christ. Sometimes it might be prudent to flee a battle that looks overwhelming so that we can live to fight another day, but most of the time if we stand firm in faith, Satan will flee as he is a coward and a thief.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 5:1-20

1 Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. 2 When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. 3 The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. 4 In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. 6 Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, 7 crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” 8 (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) 9 He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” 10 And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. 12 And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” 13 And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. 14 The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. 15 As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. 16 Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. 17 Then they began to beg him to leave their district. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. 19 But he would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” 20 Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

January 30, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

It would be a good thing if every man, woman and child reflected upon one beatitude every day and sought to live it out in their life that day. It certainly would not hurt the world for this to happen. I wonder if we, as individuals, are willing to do this or something similar to this without the guarantee that anyone else will do the same. If so, then I believe that such an individual is well on the way to becoming a saint.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Rejoice and be glad; your reward will be great in heaven.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Matthew 5:1-12


1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

THROUGH THE STORM

January 29, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus could easily sleep through an earthquake. Why? He knows that He is loved by His Father in Heaven and ultimately that is all that matters in this life. What I have just said sounds a bit fundamentalistic, and it is, but it also captures the ultimate truth of how we are able to live a peaceful and calm life. Only the knowledge of God’s love for me enables me to live at peace with myself. Nothing else is capable of doing this.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 4:35-41


35 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 38 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” 41 They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

JUST LIKE A MUSTARD SEED

January 28, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

It is God’s work to convert people and transform their lives. As much as a preacher and teacher can convince people of the truth of the Gospel, it is still only the Holy Spirit who has the power to convict us of these truths such that we will be willing to live and die for them. Open my heart, Lord, to the truth of the Gospel so that my mind and heart would be truly formed in all that is good and perfect.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 4:26-34


26 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” 30 He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

NOTHING IS HIDDEN

January 27, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

We cannot hide anything from God. He knows and sees all things. We may be able to fool those around us about our true character, but not God, and He is the one who truly matters when it comes to the considerations of eternal life. Let us then seek to be true and faithful to our Christian calling so that in all things we will be men and women of integrity, living what we proclaim and being true to our identity as the redeemed of the Lord.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 4:21-25

21 Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. 23 Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” 24 He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. 25 To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

LAMB AMONG WOLVES

January 26, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

We are all called to share in the work of evangelization. It is not just something for the priests, bishops and religious. Unless we all take up this call as a united body witnessing to the truth of the Gospel in the world, our witness as individuals will lack both credibility and power. Let us join as one in the Church to give witness to God’s love for the world, and see and experience the power of love that this will set loose in our communities.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Luke 10:1-9 (or Mark 4:1-20)

1 The Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. 3 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. 5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ 6 If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8 Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, 9 cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”

GO AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL

January 25, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Paul knows his mission is to take the Gospel message of salvation wherever he can. This is our calling, too. Things have not changed that much. Yes, much of the world has heard the Gospel, centuries ago, but it seems there is still conversion needed throughout Europe and western Christianity. Let us listen to God’s Word so that we will know what our role will be in re-evangelizing much of a growing secular society. There is hope because with God we know we will prevail in the end.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

I choose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 16:15-18


15 Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

A KINGDOM DIVIDED BY ITSELF CANNOT STAND

January 24, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

The claim that Jesus has power only from the devil is clearly ridiculous. Why would the devil want to work so powerfully against himself? It just does not make sense. Yes, the devil can imitate just about everything that Jesus can do but he cannot imitate Jesus’ humility. Quite clearly the Incarnation is something the devil cannot imitate and thus we can be sure that Jesus is not acting under the influence of the devil.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 3:22-30


22 The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebub,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” 23 Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. 28 Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” 30 For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

January 23, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Repentance is an integral part of the proclamation of the Gospel for the simple reason that we are all sinners. If we accept this, it is not surprising that Jesus calls for repentance before faith. It is our repentance that clears away the darkness of sin and enables us to see with the eyes of faith the truth of the Gospel of love. Let us never forget that we are called to purify our lives of sin so that we are better able to receive the life of holiness that God plans for us all.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

R: Alleluia

Matthew 4:12-23


12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. 23 He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

TO BE MISUNDERSTOOD

January 22, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Don’t blink or get distracted or you will miss today’s Gospel. Not even Jesus’ relatives understand Him or His mission. They come to take Him away before a riot breaks out. This can be the nature of the Gospel at times. It will always provoke a reaction in places where it is not welcome. Let us never be afraid to speak the truth of the Gospel wherever we may be but to do so prudently and with love (c.f. 1Peter 3:14-18).


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 3:20-21


20 Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. 21 When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

THE CHOSEN TWELVE

January 21, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus worked very closely with only a few men in order to prepare them for the ministry of the Gospel after He ascended into heaven. Yes, the Apostles were the chosen few. However, there were also the 72 in Luke’s Gospel and the 70 in Matthew; there are also the many women who accompanied Him in His ministry. There is a role for us all in the work of salvation. Let us seek to discover our part and to perform it as well as we can.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 3:13-19


13 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve whom he also named apostles that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons: 16 He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; 17 James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, 19 and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD

January 20, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus withdraws from the crowd because He knows His need for reflection. All of us need to withdraw from the busyness of our lives once in a while to reflect upon what is going on within us. This gives meaning to the experiences of our lives. If we do not reflect we will never know what life truly is. Life is not just doing things but knowing why we do them. It is this capacity for self-consciousness that makes us human and makes life worthwhile. Without it we would merely be like wind-up toys doing all sorts of things with no rhyme or reason to them.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 3:7-12

7 Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people [followed] from Galilee and from Judea. 8 Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. 9 He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. 10 He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. 11 And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” 12 He warned them sternly not to make him known.

TO HEAL ON SABBATH DAY

January 19, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L


I find it almost incomprehensible why the Pharisees would want to destroy a man who has the power to heal people. Surely, if one has any sense, you would be trying to facilitate such a gift for the greater glory and service of God. I suppose this is how jealousy works and why St. Francis considered it a sin against the Holy Spirit. Let us pray that we will always rejoice in the gifts that God gives to others and celebrate them rather than compete and seek to destroy one another’s ministries.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 3:1-6


1 Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. 2 They watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. 3 He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” 4 Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. 5 Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

THE ISSUE OF SABBATH

January 18, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Once again we find the Pharisees focusing on the Law. When will they ever learn? When will we ever learn? One of the strategies of the devil is to deflect our focus from the things that matter into things that are incidental. In this way we make progress on the journey to nowhere in particular and he is happy. We must be aware of this tactic and negate it by knowing what is important and what is not. By focusing on the first of these we will grow closer to God – it will be hard work. The devil will even help us focus on the second because he knows it is useless to us anyway.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 2:23-28


23 As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. 24 At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” 25 He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? 26 How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” 27 Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. 28 That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

THE FOCUS OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE

January 17, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

The Pharisees are too often fixated upon the Law. While the Law is always important, it is not the focus of the spiritual life – love is. We must seek to live the law in love, not in judgment of how others are failing to live it. Our concern must be first for our own righteousness and then we will learn to leave others up to themselves. We do not know all their situations so how can we judge their actions fairly? Of course, sin is sin – but I do not think that the discipline of fasting falls under this category.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 2:18-22


18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to him and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. 22 Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

January 16, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus calls the children to Himself as examples of one aspect of discipleship — that of unreflective trust in the providence and care of God our Father. Many people do not have a good relationship with their father, nevertheless, the Church has and will continue to use this image for explaining at least some aspect of our relationship with God. Let us pray for the grace to look beyond the shortcomings of our father and open our lives more fully to God, the perfect father.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted him, he gave power to become children of God.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Matthew 18:1-5, 10


1 At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3 and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

THE SINNERS AND TAX COLLECTORS

January 15, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus associates with rich and poor, saint and sinner alike. Jesus does not exclude anyone from His ministry — the offering of the gift of salvation. We must imitate this fairness and impartiality in the way we proclaim and live the Gospel. It is not up to us to decide the worthiness of an individual for the gift of salvation as we are all unworthy and it is only the love and mercy of God that chooses to overlook this fact. God can forgive all faults and failings; He is far more merciful than any of us. Let us leave the judging to Him.



ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 2:13-17


13 Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. 14 As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 15 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. 16 Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 Jesus heard this and said to them [that], “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

JESUS HEALS AND FORGIVE SIN

January 14, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

How serious are you about following God’s will? What are you willing to do in order to place yourself at the feet of Jesus to listen closely to His word for your life? These are serious questions that we all have to ponder and give an answer to. However, our answer will be expressed in deeds, not words. Words are cheap and easy – it is our actions that really count towards becoming a witness to the Gospel.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 2:1-12


1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. 2 Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” 8 Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” — 11 he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” 12 He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

POWER OF GOD TO HEAL

January 13, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

Let us never doubt the capacity and power of God to heal. Let us always believe in His goodness towards us even in the midst of trial and suffering as it is then that He is closest to us. Let us pray for the grace to be submissive to His will as we will only then discover what it truly means to be His disciple, and in walking in His ways, the wonders of a relationship with Him.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 1:40-45

40 A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” 42 The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. 43 Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 44 Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” 45 The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

JESUS HEALS

January 12, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus was a man committed to prayer. How committed are we to prioritizing prayer in our lives? We must pray daily. The problem often is that prayer is the first part of our lifestyle to suffer when we get busy or something goes wrong. If you think about it for a moment, you will realize that this is ridiculous. If something has gone wrong, if we are getting extra busy, the greatest need in our life is God and prayer is our access to this relationship.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord. I know them, and they follow me.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 1:29-39

29 On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. 31 He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. 32 When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. 33 The whole town was gathered at the door. 34 He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. 35 Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and those who were with him pursued him 37 and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” 39 So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

THE HOLY ONE OF GOD

January 11, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

I think we all like the idea of speaking with authority and just generally having authority in our lives. Well, the only way this will ever be true is if we live in accordance with God’s will – or any authority we have will be fake. Let us seek His will with a fervent and obedient heart so that our lives will truly give glory to God.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 1:21-28


21 Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. 23 In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; 24 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!” 25 Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” 26 The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. 27 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.” 28 His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN

January 10, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

We easily forget the importance of repentance to conversion and a life of holiness. We should repent of our sins every day – identify how we have failed to appropriate the grace of God in our lives and ask God’s forgiveness for this failure. One good way to do this is to get into the practice of doing a conscience examination every day before sleeping. This is a highly recommended spiritual practice.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 1:14-20

14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: 15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” 16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. 19 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. 20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED

January 9, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan becomes a prototype for baptism not just in the Scriptures but in the experience of the Early Church. When men and women were baptized, they were changed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This was the normative experience for the Early Church. Why does it not seem to be the same for us today? Let us reflect on this question and ask God to reveal to us more fully the grace and power of the Sacrament of Baptism.

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia

The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, listen to him.

R: Alleluia

Matthew 3:13-17


13 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” 15 Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. 16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. 17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

A MAN FULL OF LEPROSY

G O S P E L


We know that ultimately we will be cured of any sickness or disease we may have. This does not mean that we will never get sick or that we will not die of sickness. The truth is that there is no sickness in heaven: unfortunately we have not gotten to heaven yet. Of course, we pray to be preserved from sickness, but if it comes our way we must look for God’s message in it. It is not that God makes us sick, but that He uses every situation in our lives to draw us closer to Him.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Luke 5:12-16


12 It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where he was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. 14 Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” 15 The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, 16 but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

EXPECTATION OF THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH

January 6, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

These verses from Isaiah always bring a great sense of expectation in me when I hear them. I think I know what it must be like to be a Jew in expectation of the coming of Messiah. The potential for transformation; the power for miracles; the dynamism of the Word of God are all inherent in the meaning of these words. Let us never forget this as we seek to be living examples of what is being prophesied here.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The Lord has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.

R: Alleluia

Luke 4:14-22


14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. 15 He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. 16 He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read 17 and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” 20 Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. 21 He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

IT IS I, DO NOT BE AFRAID

January 5, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

With God at our side there is nothing we need to fear, except maybe His departure from us. Luckily, that will never happen. God does not abandon His people. If there is a gulf between you and God, it is there because you have created it through sin. Sin separates us from the love of God and hinders God’s ability to work among us. Let us seek to rid ourselves of sin for our own sake and the sake of the health of our Christian communities and fellowships.

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Glory to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the Gentiles.

Glory to you, O Christ, believed in throughout the world.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 6:45-52

45 After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. 47 When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. 48 Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. 49 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. 50 They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” 51 He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. 52 They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH

January 4, 2011


D A I L Y G O S P E L

If you want to be a pastor or leader in the Church get ready to be tired most of the time. The heart of a true pastor will always struggle to know when to rest and say that I have done all I can for now. The true pastor will see the needs of his flock and desire to meet them. The truth is, it is not possible for one person to meet all the needs of a large flock, and probably not even a small one. This is why we all must pitch in and help where we can in the care of our parishes and communities. Let us not make problems for our leaders but at least be a part of the solution to their problems.


ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The Lord has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.

R: Alleluia, alleluia


Mark 6:34-44


34 When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35 By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. 36 Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” 38 He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” 39 So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. 41 Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to [his] disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. 44 Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.