† Quote of the Day "Announcing the Gospel is the first and greatest act of charity." — St. Arnold Janssen Today's Meditation "Jesus himself, after all, had given everything for the sake of the reign of God. He gave up the security and comfort of a family and a spouse. He did without a house or property or any other form of security. Still more serious: He avoided putting himself at the center of everything and thus exercising religious power... Jesus lives not for Himself, His own person, but surrendering utterly and slowly to God's cause, or more precisely to the reign of God that is now coming...Jesus possessed unheard-of freedom. He is not a model of one who is tormented, grim, dissatisfied, or who has fallen short of His goal. He is no fanatic, utterly convinced that He must force others to adopt His own position. Nor is He the type of the hero, tragic or otherwise. He remains to the end a free person...a man full of generosity and humanity." —Gerhard Lohfink, p.53-54
An excerpt from The Forty Parables of Jesus Daily Verse "For rulers are not a cause of fear to good conduct, but to evil. Do you wish to have no fear of authority? Then do what is good and you will receive approval from it, for it is a servant of God for your good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword without purpose; it is the servant of God to inflict wrath on the evildoer. Therefore, it is necessary to be subject not only because of the wrath but also because of conscience." — Romans 12:3-5 | St. Arnold Janssen St. Arnold Janssen (1837–1909) was born in Germany to a large Catholic family. He was a man of simple faith who studied theology, entered the priesthood, and served as a school teacher. He had a profound devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which awakened in him an increasing desire for missionary work. This led him to found The Little Messenger of the Sacred Heart, a monthly magazine sharing news of the Church's missionary activities and encouraging German Catholics to do more to help the missions. This was during a time of anti-Catholic persecution in Germany, and many priests were expelled from the country. Arnold suggested that these expelled priests serve in the missions, and for this purpose he founded the Society of the Divine Word, known as the Divine Word Missionaries, a religious congregation of missionary priests and lay brothers. He also founded two Orders of religious sisters associated with this missionary activity. Today more than 6,000 Divine Word Missionaries are active in 63 countries. St. Arnold was canonized in 2003 by Pope St. John Paul II. His feast day is celebrated on January 15. | Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time Reading I Hebrews 2:14-18 Since the children share in blood and Flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9 R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength; seek to serve him constantly.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations--
Which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia John 10:27 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mark 1:29-39 On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
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.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
| Daily Meditation: Hebrews 2:14-18 . . . a merciful and faithful high priest. (Hebrews 2:17) In ancient Judaism, the most esteemed priest was the high priest, who represented all the people before God. Even his clothing showed his special role: as he ministered in the sanctuary, he bore the names of the tribes of Israel on his breastplate, and his turban had a gold plate with "Sacred to the Lord" engraved on it (Exodus 28:29, 36). He was the only one permitted to enter the innermost part of the Temple—the Holy of Holies—where the presence of God was. And he did that only once a year, to offer sacrifice for the sins of all the people. But the Letter to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus has fulfilled the role of the high priest completely because he offered God a perfect spotless sacrifice. He chose to "become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest" (Hebrews 2:17). Jesus suffered as we have. He experienced physical pain as we do, as well as the emotional pain of loss and temptation. Let this truth fill you with hope—you are not alone. Jesus, your merciful high priest, looks on you with compassion as he intercedes for you before his Father. He is patient with you because he knows what you're going through. He himself had to fight against temptation, so he is sympathetic and supportive as you struggle. By his sacrifice he has made atonement for your sins and set you free from the fear of death. Even before you turn to him in repentance, he is already extending his mercy to you! Jesus, your faithful high priest, knows what it's like to face human weakness and the difficulties of life, so he won't leave you. In every situation, he brings your desires to the Father and asks him to meet your deepest needs. Even when you are distracted or confused, Jesus remains faithful. He still looks out for you and continues to intercede for you. As you contemplate Jesus, your merciful and faithful high priest, let today's reading lift your heart. Jesus shares all your joys and sorrows. He stands before God the Father on your behalf eternally. Even now, at this moment, he is praying for you! "Lord Jesus, thank you for your mercy and faithfulness!" Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9
Mark 1:29-39 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | In the Holy Scripture we hear today: "Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
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.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed....." end Gospel quote, word of the Lord. | From Bishop Barron: "Friends, in today's Gospel, Jesus heals many of the townspeople of Capernaum. His healing of physical ailments points to his spiritual healing—to his being the doctor of the soul.
The Gospels are filled with accounts of Jesus' healing encounters with those whose spiritual energies are unable to flow. Much of Jesus' ministry consisted in teaching people how to see (the kingdom of God), how to hear (the voice of the Spirit), how to walk (overcoming the paralysis of the heart), and how to be free of themselves (so as to discover God).
Jesus was referred to in the early Church as the Savior (salvator in Latin). The term speaks of the one who brings healing—indeed, our English word salve is closely related to salvus, meaning health. When the soul is healthy, it is in a living relationship with God. When the soul is sick, the entire person becomes ill, because all flows from and depends upon the dynamic encounter with the source of being and life who is God.
We heal the soul by bringing to bear the salvator, the healer, the one who in his person reconciled us with God and opened the soul to the divine power......" end quote.
What do we see in the Gospel today? Our Lord healing. Praying. And Preaching. Repeat the process again and again.
And what does He say after He was crucified, slaughtered and nailed to the cross, dying, then rising? Before ascending into Heaven 40 days after His death, and appearing to hundreds of people, He said something on that mountain to His disciples, remember that? He said in Matthew 28: 19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
He said to teach all and baptize all in the Holy Trinity.
And is preaching the same as teaching? Yes!
People need preaching. We need admonishment. We need guidance. And so much of our teaching is by how we live, not just talk. And so, our Lord goes off to pray.
This is our way of life. Preach, teach your children and your neighbor, those near you, wherever you go. And heal them. How?
I wish so much I could heal, and I believe I have helped some to heal. But, so many times I've offered myself for healing prayers and 9 out of 10 times I am turned away. But those who have believed, have come away healed. Some from depression and suicide, some from cancer, and the list goes on and on. What is at the core of healing? The answer is WHO is at the core of all healing. It is our Savior and Lord, Jesus.
Preaching brings Jesus into lives. Teaching brings Him into our way of life. As a baptized soul, we are all called to preach, teach, and heal the world, baptizing them into the body to continue to do the same.
Lord, I pray we can do Your Holy will. Help us with Your grace. Help us to do what we know we are supposed to do, but have trouble, weakness in doing it. Help us be strong in Your love, grace, and mercy. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, through me. |  audio | Wow, This is amazing, today's random bible verse chosen for us. Holy Spirit is moving! Random Bible Verse 1
Matthew 28:18–20 [Matthew 28] 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in1 the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Word Of Our Lord!
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