From the responsorial psalm: “Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 1:29-39)
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Mark describes a series of events in the early ministry of Jesus. After leaving the synagogue where he taught and exorcised a man with an unclean spirit, Jesus goes to the house of Simon and Andrew and heals Simon’s mother-in-law, who lays sick with a fever. That same evening, people come to Jesus, and he cures them of their illnesses and casts out demons of those who are possessed. The next morning before dawn he rises and goes off to pray, and Simon and the others find him and tell him that everyone is looking for him. “So he went into their synagogues,” Mark tells us, “preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.” In his compassion, Jesus acts as both healer and teacher in his mission to bring salvation and hope to humanity. He continues to do that today.
God, help me trust in your mercy and take comfort in Jesus’ saving mission as I consider the words of Saint Paul: “Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” Through the mystery of suffering, let me learn my complete dependence on you for all that is good. Let my weaknesses be a means of giving glory to you, Lord, who through your Son destroyed death. “Look to the LORD in his strength,” the psalmist prays, “seek to serve him constantly.” Grasp me by the hand and help me always be mindful of doing your will.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.