Patron Saint of Mosquito Bites?

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Did you realize that Mark the Evangelist is the Patron Saint of Mosquito Bites? Is this just not the weirdest thing you ever heard? Now you’re probably wondering what this has to do with today’s Gospel reading. Well so am I, but I though it was rather humorous and at the same time awesome that Christ not only provides for the big things that impact our lives, but he also provides for the little things including comfort for mosquito bites. Do we not have the most awesome and glorious God. One who loves us and wants us to be with him for eternity.

In today’s Gospel (John 17:1-11) Jesus lift’s his eyes to heaven and proclaims, "Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee.” What is this glory that Jesus is referring? It is the sacrifice He made for us on the Cross. On the Cross, God shows us how much he loves us. He loves us so much that he is willing to give his only Son to save us from our sins. Jesus honored his Father by sacrificing his life for us. He gives us salvation and eternal life through this most wonderful act of love. Jesus was not held captive to the cross. He was able to defeat the cross through his glory of the resurrection. In the cross, Jesus saves us from our sins and he gives us eternal life, a life ever lasting, a life without end. But today’s Gospel is more then Jesus glorifying the Lord, Jesus takes time to pray to his Father that we will all become one with him. He prays for our glory in Heaven. Jesus is about to be crucified on the cross and he prays for us. He prays for those that have committed their lives to the salvation that was given to us on the cross. He prays for those that believe in the Truth and the Way; that they will be united as one with the heavenly Father. This is the testament to our eternal salvation with our Lord in Heaven. When we make that commitment, we actually begin to experience our eternal life with God here on earth. That’s right, we begin to unite ourselves with God while we still live our earthly life.

A Simple Prayer Most Holy One, You are the Truth, in you there is eternal life. I love you with all my heart; you are my salvation. I give myself to you, make me one with you. Use me to fulfill your needs for I am your servant. May my deeds glorify you so that I may have eternal life in Heaven.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon