“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Saturday, 3rd February 2018,
Fourth Week in the Ordinary Time
First reading: 1 Kings 3:4-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:9-14
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34
Jesus is the ideal leader who has compassion on the helpless in the society, who is also sympathetic towards human needs. As the disciples return from a preaching mission, he suggests rest for them. But he himself, leaving aside his needs like rest, food, etc., started serving the people, because they were in greater need. Ordinary man is selfish; he first thinks of himself and fulfills his needs first. But Jesus is the embodiment of selflessness.
Jesus’ response is one of heartfelt mercy and compassion. He is moved with pity for them and He continues to teach them many things. This happened for a number of reasons. First, as a result of the deep longing that the people felt. They were drawn to Jesus, to listen to Him and to learn from Him. Secondly, it was because Jesus also had a deep longing to be with His people. He desired to share His heart with them and to shepherd them, leading them into the many truths He came to reveal. Jesus was a true Shepherd who loved His sheep and welcomed them continually.
The same must be true for each one of us. We must all seek to be with Him, love Him and follow His commands. We must diligently and tirelessly seek Him out no matter how difficult that may be. We have a duty, in love, to seek and find our Lord. And Jesus, for His part, will fulfill His duty toward us to shepherd us and teach us many things. He will allow His heart to be moved with mercy and compassion toward us and He will draw us close to Himself.
Once a girl was returning from school, on foot with her two younger brothers. Suddenly there began a terrible snowfall. They saw death face to face. The girl removed her own warm clothes and wrapped her younger brothers in it and cuddled them, protecting them, as much as she could, with her own body. The parents who came in search of the kids, found the boys alive and their sister dead. The natives erected a memorial there and wrote on it, “An Inspiration for the Living”. Today Jesus invites you to be inspired by him and to imitate him, are you ready.
Prayer: Lord, I do love You and I give my life to You. I pray that You will always fill me with a burning desire to seek You out, each and every day. I thank You for Your mercy and for Your shepherd’s heart. May I rest close to Your heart every day. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
Copyright ©2013-2018 ©JoyCat, Joy of the Catholic Life: see www.joy-cat.blogspot.com.
