“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
11th January 2018.
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THURSDAY, FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Reading 1: 1 Sam 4:1-11 The Philistines defeat Israel, and capture the ark of God.
Res. Psalm: Ps 43:10-11,14-15,24-25 Redeem us Lord, because of your love.
Gospel: Mk 1:40-45 Jesus cures a leper.
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SEEKING JESUS WHOLEHEARTEDLY!
Superstition means attributing magical or divine powers to things. Statues, medals, pictures, relics, are valuable if we use them as reminders of God and the saints. It is too easy to forget the purpose and to use holy things in the wrong way. That is what the Israelites did in today’s reading. They used the holiest of Jewish possessions, the ark of the covenant, as a charm to guarantee victory in battle. They learned the hard way that the holiest of things is no substitute for obedience to God’s will. In the same way, our statues, medals, pictures, rosaries, can remind us of Jesus and our Lady and can bring us closer to God. But a St Christopher medal is no guarantee against careless driving. As substitutes for true love and obedience to God’s will, these things are as useless to us as the ark was to the Israelites.
Lepers were taken as outcasts according to the Mosaic Law (Lev 13:44-46). Today, we see such an outcast, approaches Jesus. The leper deeply and strongly believed that Jesus could heal him. He knelt before Jesus and said ‘if you will, you can make me clean’. The leper knew what he needed, he also knew where to get it. He had total confidence in the mercy, compassion of Jesus. We too are sometimes hesitant to approach Jesus. Firstly, because of our unworthy state; and secondly we are worried about what our friends and family will say. We are today called to imitate the leper. We are to run to Jesus, for he alone has the power to forgive us, heal us, love us and make us whole.
Furthermore with miracles such as these, Jesus’ popularity grew. But He did not take any interest in such popularity. Instead of embracing His instant fame, He went off to deserted places, and people came to Him in these hard-to-get-to deserted places also. Therefore, by withdrawing into deserted places, He was able to let the Father in Heaven bring to Him those who were open to authentic conversion. The same is true with us. The authentic Gospel message is not normally that which our popular culture will hold up as exciting. Jesus and His authentic Gospel message will not always make headlines in the national news. Rather, if we want to find Him, we must diligently seek Him in the hidden and quiet places where He waits for us. Where is He waiting for you to come and meet Him? Seek Him out in your own self (heart) and when you do discover Him, you will be eternally grateful that you made the effort.
Prayer: Lord, I do seek You, but I also realize that I never seek You enough. In the deserted places of life, You desire to minister to my soul. Help me to listen to You and to make the journey to You. And as I find You, help me to truly embrace the conversion of heart You have in mind for me. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.