Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Saints: Saint John, Bishop of Ravenna (d. 595); Saints Marius, Martha, Audiface and Abachum, Martyrs on the Via Cornelia (3rd century); Saint Germanicus, Martyr of Philadelphia (2nd century); Saint Wulstan (1008?-1095); Saint Faolan (8th century); The Jesuit Martyrs of the Reformation in Europe (16th century); Blessed Andrew of Peschiera OP (1400-1485)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 4:22-43 The Tools for Good Works

Mass: Heb 7:25-8:6; Resp Ps 40; Mk 3:7-12   

To do your will, O my God, is my delight.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, MOST PATIENT,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

He told His disciples to have a boat ready for Him because of the crowd,

so that they would not crush Him.

(Mk 3:9)

With the scene in today's Gospel, my mind goes to a delightful poem I have shared before, by Hafiz, the beloved Persian poet of the 14th century. It goes like this ...

Two Giant Fat People

God and I have become

Like two giant fat people

Living in a tiny boat.

We keep

Bumping into each other

And laughing.

It does not seem, however, that Jesus was so amused by all those who were pressing upon Him to touch Him. At the same time, whenever unclean spirits saw Him they would fall down before Him. And if that wasn't enough, they would shout, "You are the Son of God" (see Mk 3:9-11). Unclean as they were, those spirits were certainly right about that. The whole scene seems rather chaotic and the peoples somewhat unruly. It is no wonder that Jesus was a little afraid for His life, and probably not laughing about it. In any case, Jesus, we want to touch You, just like all those people in the crowd. With our various diseases, some more visible than others, we too want to be healed. As true as that is, why is it that we spend so much time running away from You? Go figure.

To close, then, here is something I found last night. Take a look if you can (and a listen) at a song called, "Sneakin Up on Me," by Charlie Peacock. Part of the lyrics go like this ...

I try to run, find a place to hide - it's a futile plan,

Don't know when, I don't know how, but God always gets His man.

Sneakin up on me,

God keeps sneakin up on me,

When I least expect it, there He is,

Sneakin up on me.

United in faith and prayer, we go forth this day, alert and attentive to the presence of God, here, there, and everywhere. Sneaking up on me, God keeps sneakin up on me ... and when I least expect it, there He is, sneakin up on me ...

SAINT JOHN, BISHOP OF RAVENNA,

SAINTS MARIUS, MARTHA, AUDIFACE AND ABACHUM,

SAINT GERMANICUS,

SAINT WULSTAN,

SAINT FAOLAN,

THE JESUIT MARTYRS OF THE REFORMATION IN EUROPE,

BLESSED ANDREW OF PESCHIARA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: A little kindness goes a long way. And it's free to boot! Kindness too could be a summary of many of the Tools for Good Works as presented to us today, put this way, "Kill 'em with kindness," instead of anger, deceit, grudges, shallow greetings, not speaking the truth, cursing and speaking ill of others, grumbling, and so on (see Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:22-43). O, the loving kindness of the heart of our God. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023