WHEN GOD IS SILENT ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Friday, 13^thJanuary 2017,

First Week in the Ordinary Time

Heb 4: 1-5, 11;

Ps 77: 3-4, 6-8;

Mk 2: 1-12

WHEN GOD IS SILENT

Jesus drew people to Himself. There were so many people coming to Jesus that there was no room for everyone, not even around the door to the house He was in. We can be certain that those who came to listen to Him, even if they could not get in, were greatly rewarded for their faith. It reveals that the spiritual longing to be near Jesus was, in and of itself, transforming. Likewise, we may find that we long to hear Jesus speak to us, but cannot seem to hear Him. It may be that He appears silent to us or that we do not know where to find Him. But do not be disheartened if this is your experience. The fact of the matter is that your desire to be with Him is itself a great gift and has potential to transform your life.

There may be times in your life when God seems to be distant, silent and is nowhere to be found. When this happens, we should realize that this is a way for God to call us even closer to Himself. It’s a way for God to whisper so as to gain our full attention. In such times, turn your attention to our Lord all the more intensely and allow the desire for Him to grow. It is this desire to be near Jesus that may actually produce much greater fruit in your life than if you were to hear Him loud and clear.

In the Gospel, the healing of a paralytic brings opposition to Jesus. Jesus who is powerful in both word and deed, his power to forgive sins is confirmed by his power to heal the paralyzed man. Jesus who is the Messiah, the true Ruler and King of Israel, the Son of God is rejected. In our lives too, we are happy to be in the bondage of sin, power, possession and pleasure, rather than be in freedom from them. We are willing to let go of eternal happiness for something temporary and immediate. Today, Jesus asks you to choose Him over your closest desire and aspiration. Do you have the faith to reject all for Jesus? Do you have the desire to get closer to Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, please increase within me a desire to be near You. Help me to long for You with all my heart. In that longing, help me to shed all that is not of You and to give You my full attention. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.