“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.” Mark 1:32-34.
“If you are bowed down by sickness, if sorrows weary you, if you are trembling with fear, invoke the Name of Jesus.” St. Lawrence Justinian.
My Jesus, help us to see and feel our great need of You. The people urgently sought You when You walked the earth. We are no different. In Your mercy, remove the obstacles that block our desire to seek You, to be one with You, our Life. Amen.
Domingo 4 de febrero 2024
"Al atardecer, cuando el sol se ponia, le trajeron a todos los enfermos o endemoniados. Todo el pueblo estaba reunido a la puerta. Curó a muchos enfermos de diversas enfermedades, y expulsó a muchos demonios". Marcos 1:32-34.
"Si estás encorvado por la enfermedad, si las penas te cansan, si tiemblas de miedo, invoca el Nombre de Jesús" San Lorenzo Justiniano.
Jesús mío, ayúdanos a ver y sentir nuestra gran necesidad de Ti. La gente te buscó con urgencia cuando caminaste por la tierra. Nosotros no somos diferentes. En Tu misericordia, quita los obstáculos que bloquean nuestro deseo de buscarte, de ser uno contigo, nuestra Vida. Amén. Homily for 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time by Deacon Mike Betliskey
The ministry of Jesus is about a transformative experience from human hopelessness to Godly hope, from despair to faith, and from despising another to love through a personal encounter with Him. He led by example with His personal relationship with His Father, where quiet time and prayer formed the foundation of His life and ministry. In the same way, quiet time and prayer with the Lord must form the foundation of our lives. He calls us to a personal encounter with Him, where He can touch our hearts and transform our lives. We can meet the Lord through prayer, reflecting on the Scriptures, worthily receiving the sacraments, appreciating creation, interacting with others, and more. However, it is in solitude that we find Him. As we explore the word “prayer,” each letter spells out various aspects of prayer. “P” is for praise. Expressing praise and gratitude turns our focus away from ourselves to God. “P” is also for pause, where we find quiet time to be with the Lord. Prayer is a time to be with God, not primarily a time to rattle off a list of needs, as important as they are. Finding time for quiet contemplation can be a challenge in our busy lives. For some, they prefer to surround their lives with noise. Silence scares them. For me, a day without some quiet time is like a car running on empty. “R” represents an ongoing relationship with God, while “A” reminds us to always have a relationship with Him with no gaps. In the depths of his woes, Job maintained his relationship with God and did not abandon Him. “A” also calls us to action, as prayer leads us to a life of love and concern for others. “Y” represents the yearning that God has placed within our hearts to seek Him. If we choose, that yearning can lead to an encounter with Him. “E” also signifies that we need to feel the presence of God everywhere we go and lift up everyone in our prayers. Wherever we go, we see the face of God in the people we meet. Finally, “R” means we must relinquish or surrender ourselves to God. Paul relinquishes himself to God. What he receives from God freely, he freely shares the Good News with others without burdening them. St. Charles Borromeo offers us this sage insight on the importance of prayer and quietness. “We meditate before, during, and after everything we do. Meditation is how we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we face day after day. In meditation, we find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and others.”