Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 3:7-12

 

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him.  He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, the people of Israel are overwhelming Jesus. People from all over the country are coming to Jesus to be healed. Why would all these people seek Jesus? It’s simple. They knew that Jesus would free them from their afflictions if they could just reached out and touch him. Yesterday’s Gospel reading was also about reaching out. We heard that Jesus Christ cured the man with the crippled hand when he reached out. Because of their faith, these followers reach out to Jesus Christ for true healing; not just physical healing, but also spiritual healing. It was purely because of their faith and love for Jesus Christ that they were healed. We too are called to humble ourselves by reaching out to Jesus Christ. He will chase away our demons and free us from our afflictions. The demons are no match for Christ. The demons “fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God’.” Our troubles are no match for Christ.  The unclean spirits which plague us are easily defeated by Christ; we just need to surrender those spirits to him. All we need to do is reach out to him for his saving grace. This is done through deepening our prayer life and giving of our talents and treasures to him. We should reach out with expectant faith to his healing powers. No matter what affliction you have, Christ welcomes you into his open arms like a small child reaching out for his parent. In your prayer, reach out your arms. Extend them upward to heaven. Call out to Christ and let him know that you are there.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, I reach out to touch your robe.

I reach out with expectant faith for your healing love and grace.

Set me free from my afflictions which block the path to you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon