TODAY'S WORD

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Hebrews: 2:18 "Because He Himself was tested by what He suffered, He is able to help those who are being tested."


TODAY'S REFLECTION

There are two quite different activities of Jesus presented in this morning’s gospel reading. 

The first is the activity of healing. 

Jesus heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law in the house of Simon and Andrew by taking her by the hand and lifting her up, and then goes on to heal many sick people who were brought to the door of the house. 

This healing activity of Jesus is very public and is greatly appreciated by everyone; the whole town came crowding around the door, according to Mark. 

The second activity of Jesus is quite different. It is much more private. 

In the morning, long before dawn, Jesus goes out by himself to a lonely place to pray. 

Whereas Jesus’ public activity of healing the sick was much appreciated by all, this second activity of going off by himself to pray is not appreciated by others. 

Even those closest to him didn’t think much of it. Peter, the leading disciple, rebukes Jesus, ‘Everybody is looking for you’, as much as to say, ‘Why are you wasting time out here on your own’. 

Yet, Jesus knew that the source of his life-giving work was his relationship with God, which is nurtured in his prayer. 

The activity of prayer was even more important to him than his activity of healing. 

Prayer is as necessary for us as it was for Jesus. 

We need the Lord if we are to live as he desires us to live and if we are to share in some way in his work. 

In prayer we acknowledge and give expression to our dependence on the Lord; we open ourselves to the Lord’s life-giving presence so as to be channels of that presence to others.


QUESTIONS TO PONDER

It's a moment for us to check and examine our own lives: Am I following the "Real" Jesus?

Is Jesus merely a source of healings and remedies in my moments of physical sicknesses...or has He also become the true balm and consolation in my spiritual health and well-being?

Is Jesus only like a call-centre agent whom I seek in order to fix some problems of life...or Has He also become genuinely the treasure and the priceless fortune of my Life?

Is Jesus simply a solution and answer when crisis hits my life and things go badly.… or has He also become authentically the greatest powerhouse and thrust of my Life?

Am I following the "Real" Jesus?

Or is it merely...a Jesus of quick-fix solutions?

a Jesus who is a problem-solver?.. a Jesus who is remembered in times of trials alone?... a Jesus who is expected to give all answers to my confusions?

The people and the disciples, as we see in the Gospel, seemed happy and satisfied to seek Jesus who performs wonders.

Surely, wonders and sensational deeds are good.

But they are not to be an end in itself….They are not to be made the primary motto.

 Miracles and marvels ought to become a launching pad for a deeper relationship with the Lord.


RESOLUTION

Let us not reduce the greatness of Jesus to just miracles.

Let us not bring down the immensity of Jesus to just physical needs.

Rather, let us seek… the True and Living Lord for a wholesome & integral growth for eternity....the Compassionate and Powerful Lord to grow in holiness & sanctity.

The Lord is the One Who knows us, understands us and wishes that we seek Him with a sincere heart. His understanding Presence with us, is assured in the Letter to the Hebrews: 

“Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people.

For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted!” (Heb 2:17) 

We need to search first for Jesus and His Kingdom (Mt 6:33)… and all other things - which are a by-product – will be given to us

HAVE A CHEERFUL DAY