Gospel: January 15, 2025
January 15, 2025 (Wednesday)
1st Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 1 / (Green)
Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
The Lord remembers his covenant forever.
1st Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. As Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever, they immediately told him about her. Jesus went to her and, taking her by the hand, raised her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening, at sundown, people brought to Jesus all the sick and those who had evil spirits: the whole town was pressing around the door. Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and drove out many demons; but he did not let them speak, for they knew who he was. Very early in the morning, before daylight, Jesus went off to a lonely place where he prayed. Simon and the others went out also, searching for him; and when they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Let us go to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came.” So, Jesus set out to preach in all the synagogues throughout Galilee; he also cast out demons.
Reflection:
“For that is why I came.”
“Very early in the morning … Jesus went off to a lonely place where he prayed.” The Gospel account presents us with “the whole town … pressing around the door,” desperate to see Jesus and to receive his wisdom and healing. Such an intense ministering to people needs to be sustained and nourished, otherwise it will dry up and the person will burn out. This is why Jesus spent time in solitude and prayer each day. This is important not only for those in ministry, but also for all who seek to live out Christ’s call to love one another. Pastoral action and works of charity need to be grounded and sustained by prayer. Without that foundation, our work will become mere frenetic activism, which eventually fades when it loses its sense of purpose. This is why St. Bernard of Clairvaux encourages us to be reservoirs of grace rather than simply channels of grace. We are to stay close to God and be filled with his love, letting that love overflow into our dealings with others, rather than being left empty by our activity. If we stay close to God in prayer, our care and compassion will never run dry.
