Gospel: (Mark 1: 29-39)
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
St. Faustina noted in her Diary (D. 450)
“When I arrived in the chapel I experienced a sense of inner understanding that God was preparing a tremendous reward not only for our good deeds but also for the sincere desire to perform them. What a great grace from God that is. O, how sweet it is to toil for God and for souls. I do not want to rest in battle, but I shall fight to my last breath for the glory of my King and Lord. I shall not lay down my sword until He summons me to His throne; I am not afraid of assaults, for God is my shield. It is the enemy who should fear us, not we him. Satan vanquishes only the proud and the cowardly, for the humble have power. Nothing will confound or frighten the humble soul. I have directed my flight towards the very furnace of the sun, and nothing will deflect me down. Love will not be fettered, it is free like a queen, love reaches unto God.”
Who or what are you most afraid of?
Are you inviting Jesus into your fears?
Jesus is full of goodness and mercy towards all human misery. Today, in prayer, try to reveal to Him what you fear and invite Him to all the darkness and sorrows that you are experiencing. Jesus comes to you and wants to pass through you to others. Trust Him!
