Daily Thought For February 7, 2021

 Believing In The Goodness of the Lord

Lectio

Mark 1:29–39

Meditatio

“He approached … and helped her up.”

Today’s Gospel impresses us with Jesus’ compassion. We observe that as soon as he enters the house of Simon and Andrew, people tell Jesus that Simon’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever. He approaches her, helps her up and heals her.

In the evening, everyone in town comes to see Jesus. We can imagine their hope as they bring their ill or possessed family members and neighbors, pleading with Jesus to heal them. We can almost hear the compassion and goodness in his voice, see the gestures as his mercy reaches out to them. His heart is so moved with love that he cures many people suffering from various diseases and drives out many demons.

The following morning, Jesus’ compassion leads him to travel to other villages, to preach in those places too. His ministry was not limited to physical healings but was extended to the spiritual. Familiar with Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels, we recognize that he instructed and offered guidance and hope to those suffering from confusion, ignorance, sinful behavior, disillusionment, and anguish of heart. Jesus’ words were grace-filled and effective. They reached the minds and hearts of his listeners and bore fruit. People’s lives were changed by the preaching of Jesus. This may have happened quickly or been more gradual, but it happened.

As we ponder Jesus’ compassion in action, we might ask ourselves “What do we need healed?” Are we experiencing weakness or some affliction of body or spirit? Are we ignorant or confused? Are we having a hard time overcoming sinful behavior? Are we discouraged? In what way do we need Jesus to approach and help us up?

We turn to him with trust and hope, knowing that we can always count on Jesus’ compassion. He continues to instruct and heal, and he wills to do this for us today. Let us pause to identify what help we need today and present this to Jesus.

Oratio

Jesus, as I ponder your compassion I am filled with hope. You healed physical and spiritual infirmities, cast out demons, and preached the Good News. Sometimes I neglect to turn to you for grace and healing. In fact, there are times when I don’t even think of you but try to practice virtue and solve problems on my own. Enable me to believe more deeply in your goodness and mercy. Strengthen my trust in you so that I turn to you in every situation. I have these special needs today.… With confidence I entrust them to your care.

Contemplatio

I turn to you, Jesus, for healing, light, and grace.

Daughters of St. Paul. (2011). Ordinary Grace Weeks 1–17: Daily Gospel Reflections. (M. G. Dateno & M. L. Trouvé, Eds.) (pp. 74–75). Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media.