Wednesday
January 15, 2020
1st Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: 1 Sam 3: 1-10; 19-20
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
(…) As Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever, they immediately told him about her. Jesus went to her and taking her by the hand, raised her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening at sundown, people brought to Jesus all the sick and those who had evil spirits: the whole town was pressing around the door. Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and drove out many demons; but he did not let them speak, for they knew who he was.
Very early in the morning, before daylight, Jesus went off to a lonely place where he prayed. Simon and the others went out, too, searching for him; and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Let’s go to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and drove out many demons. “But he did not let them speak, for they knew who he was” (Mk. 1:36). Jesus deprived the demons of their freedom of speech to avert the danger of heightening people’s expectation of a political Messiah. Jesus wanted people to look for him not for any political motive but for spiritual reasons. Check out if you are following Jesus for the right reasons. The following play of alphabet hilariously illustrates mundane reasons why people seek Jesus out:
Announcers seek Jesus for the good news; Bakers for the bread of life; Carpenters for the house built on rock; Drivers for the way, defense lawyers for the truth, and doctors for the life. Engineers for a strong foundation; Foreigners to become “aliens no longer”; Gardeners for living water; Housewives for the salt of the earth; Indigents to be clothed when naked; Judges for wisdom; Kings for servant leadership; Leaders for vision; Married people for a love that lays life down for the beloved; Nurses for healing touch; Optometrists seek Jesus for the power to bring sight back to the blind; Pilots for eagle’s wings; Queens for glory that lasts; Rebels for change of hearts; Sailors for Jesus’ presence that can calm strong winds; Teachers for the light that shines forever; the Unemployed for work in the vineyard; Veterinarians for the welfare of the sheep; Writers not for the letter that kills but for the spirit that gives life; Xenophobic persons for love that makes them accept everyone including the Gentiles; Youth for “Jesus my friend”; and Zealous people to “finish the race”.
Whatever your reasons in searching for Jesus, make sure you keep the faith. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., J.D., D.M.