Category: Bible Reading & Meditation
“Before long the whole town was gathered outside the door.” –Mark 1:33 Bethsaida was like most towns. Many of its people “through fear of death had been slaves their whole life long” (Heb 2:15). Of course, there were many “who were variously afflicted” (Mk 1:34), including Simon’s mother-in-law who “lay ill with a fever” (Mk 1:30). Also, demons had oppressed the people of Bethsaida for as long as anyone could remember (see Mk 1:34). However, this day was going to be different. Jesus came to town and demons, sickness, and fear left town. This was the best day in Bethsaida’s...
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“There appeared in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit that shrieked.” –Mark 1:23 As we begin “ordinary” time, we are already reading about Jesus driving out demons. Throughout the year, we will hear reading after reading about the Lord’s victory over the evil one. We will meet Michael the archangel and several saints, who were each victorious over the evil one. At the Masses on Easter Sunday, in every Catholic church in the world, the Church will invite us to publicly renounce Satan, all his works, and all his empty promises. What are we to make of all...
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“Jesus said to them, ‘Come after Me; I will make you fishers of men.’ ” –Mark 1:17 Have you gone fishing yet this year? The Lord wants you to fish for men and women every day. Fishing as Jesus knew it was more a matter of repeated effort than skill. Fishers needed skill to know where and when to fish, but mostly it took just plain hard work. Fishing in Jesus’ day had nothing to do with bait, reels, or poles. Fishing was simply throwing a heavy net into the sea and dragging it back. The more times they cast...
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“Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan.” –Mark 1:9 At the Jordan river, God told Joshua: “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know I am with you” (Jos 3:7). Then Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan river into the land of promise (Jos 3:14ff). Once in the promised land, the Israelites “ate their fill; when filled, they became proud of heart and forgot” God (Hos 13:6). In the same Jordan river, Jesus, the new Joshua, was baptized. When Jesus rose out of the waters...
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“Anyone who sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, should petition God, and thus life will be given to the sinner.” –1 John 5:16 Many have not had Christmas because they have not repented of sin in their lives. We should petition the Lord for sinners and life will be given to them. Through the Lord’s forgiveness, they will be given Christmas just before the season ends. The devil grinch thought he had robbed them of Christmas. However, by prayer, we rob the robber and give many people another opportunity for Christmas. On this second last...
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