“They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him.” (Mk 3: 2)
For what reason do we watch Him? To admire, to be inspired, to praise or to accuse him? It is so odd that people would “watch Jesus closely” for that kind of reason. Unfortunately, the temptation to “watch Jesus closely” for the wrong reasons is near us when we think that prayer is to change God’s will. We pray to understand His will and to change our hearts, not His. He doesn’t need extra motives to love us; His love is unconditional and forever. We “watch Him closely” to be closer to Him, to listen to Him and to answer Him throughout our relationships and in our lives.
“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.” (Mk 2: 19-20)
We received today a very good strategy for “the” situation when “the bridegroom is taken away from” us: when we feel abandoned and left alone or when we pray and we feel that nobody listens to us: “fast on that day.” Go into your loneliness and abandonment with fasting on bread and water (or any other version for fasting which is more tailored for your situation), and He will come again.
“The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, ‘Samuel, Samuel!’ Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.” (1 Sam 3: 9-10. 19)
Samuel is a very good example for us, listeners to words of the Lord. What we can do is to take one or two words from the daily readings as a direction or suggestion for us for this particular day with a goal: “Not permitting any word of His to be without effect”–being more gentle, more respectful, more giving than demanding, spending more time with our spouses (more sometimes is just 5 minutes), more patient and more pure in our hearts and bodies. Every day we will find a variety of occasions to practice cooperation with God’s words. His word is always about His compassionate, unconditional love for us. Our role is to keep His word alive in our hearts and relationships.
“We have found the Messiah: Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“…the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.” (Is 11: 9)
Without the Bible, without God’s words and without Church we are not able to know our God. He revealed Himself to us. He even became a man to be known more. What we can do before “the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD” is to invite His word every day into my life, to listen to the Church’s teaching and to let Him fill me with the knowledge of Him and with love.
“Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.” (Eph 5: 1-2)
Whatever good we received, we received this from Christ. We are God’s beloved children, and we are unconditionally loved. Our way is to live in love—to be imitators of God. An “imitator” means a person who copies the behavior or actions of another person. The more we meditate on His love, words and gestures, the more we understand and the more we are able to imitate Him. The best “meditator” is the best imitator.
“Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.’” (Lk 11: 1)
The Apostles observed Our Lord’s prayer several times. It had to be so different, so unique, that they decided to ask him: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus answered by sharing with them not the important tips but by giving them His Father. The relationship with the Father in heaven goes first—”Our Father”, than—our requests.
“You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry: Abba! Father!” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Lk 10: 41-42)
Mary and Martha are inside of every one of us. It is easier for us to think that prayer is “doing nothing” and action is something that we really “do.” Our Lord gives us Mary as an example as a person who “has chosen the better part.” This month we are especially invited to pray, together with Our Lady, on the Rosary, where action and contemplation are united, something for Mary and something for Martha at the same time.
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4: 6 – 7)
Our requests are known to God. He listens to our prayers and petitions. It is very beneficial when we pray with “no anxiety at all” and “with thanksgiving.” Our grateful hearts are especially pleasing to God. Such an attitude shows how close we are to Him, depend on Him and love Him.
“The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to the soul that seeks him.”
“ ‘Who then is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he kept trying to see him.” (Lk 9: 9)
Every day Our Lord comes to us in daily readings. We can listen to His words and to His message given so constantly: about His love for you and me. My heart, touched by His love again and again, wants to answer by “trying to see Him”: at the Holy Mass, in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or even with a short visit to the church.
“I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Add nothing to his words”… (Pro 30: 5-6)
God’s love protects us and our lives in every moment: through our Mother Church herself, through the sacraments, through our daily prayer and through “every word of God”—all of these are our shelters. Among them “the word of God” is given to be a shield for us. We can use His words to protect ourselves when we are under attack of temptation. Think about your main temptation and find in the Bible the proper shield; “take refuge in Him,” trust in His word because we should “add nothing to his words.”
“I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.” (Entrance Antiphon)
