Daily Thought For January 30, 2021

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 In Preparation For Mass Tomorrow

What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? (Mark 1:24)

Talk about bursting onto the scene! Of course the demon possessing this man couldn’t tolerate being around Jesus. But wouldn’t it have been wiser to slink away rather than draw attention to himself?

It happened a lot, in fact. Jesus would show up somewhere or reveal his glory in some way, and his presence would prompt resistance and sometimes even violent outbursts.

This wasn’t true just of demons. At the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus’ announcement of the good news enraged enough people that they tried to push him off a cliff (Luke 4:24-30). Then, after only a few weeks of preaching and performing miracles, Jesus upset some Pharisees enough that they began plotting his murder (Mark 3:6). Not even his closest disciples were immune. Jesus’ revelation of God’s plan to save us through his cross upset Peter enough that he rebuked Jesus (Matthew 16:22).

In one way or another, we have all reacted strongly against Jesus and his message of salvation. We all have pockets of darkness still lingering in our hearts. Maybe you refused to forgive someone. Maybe you knowingly chose sin in a tempting situation. Or maybe you denigrated a fellow believer who thinks differently than you do. Still, Jesus continues to love you and offer the grace you need to change. What was true in that synagogue in Capernaum is still true today: the darkness of sin can never overpower the light of Christ.

Don’t be surprised if you experience some form of opposition to Jesus in your heart today—maybe in prayer or as you’re trying to focus at Mass or as an opportunity to serve your family arises. Instead, take comfort from it. Trust that the light of Christ will not only expose your darkness; it can expel it as well.

“Thank you, Jesus, for exposing my darkness—and for setting me free from it!”

Daily Meditation (Sunday, January 31, 2021) from The Word Among Us 

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