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He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. Mark 3:16–19

Though Jesus called many disciples, He chose Twelve, representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and entrusted them with a unique mission. He named them Apostles, meaning “one who is sent” or “messenger,” and gave them His authority as the first bishops of His Church. Among them was the betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Did Jesus make a mistake when He called Judas to be an Apostle? Certainly not. Jesus’ actions were perfect in every way and fully in accord with the Father’s will. Why did He pick Judas, even though He knew he would betray Him?

Saint Thomas Aquinas teaches that Jesus possessed the Beatific Vision and infused knowledge from the moment of His conception (Summa Theologiae, III.9.2&3). Therefore, He comprehended all things with God’s eternal knowledge, including the future role each Apostle would play. When He chose Judas Iscariot, He knew the path Judas would take, yet He called him anyway.

An important theological principle to understand is that God’s foreknowledge of our future does not interfere with our free will. Some philosophers have argued that God’s foreknowledge means the path we walk is predetermined and cannot change. While it is true that what God knows will not change, it is also true that His knowledge does not force or determine what we freely choose. God’s knowledge simply transcends and encompasses all time.

When pondering the sorrowful betrayal of one of Jesus’ intimate friends, there are important lessons we can learn from this permissive act of evil. God permits evil because He permits good. If He were to prohibit evil—an act of free will—He would be prohibiting the use of free will itself, thwarting our ability to freely love. This reveals the incredible gift that God has given us: the ability to love or not. This gift is essential to who we are, enabling us to share in God’s abundant and overflowing love and mercy, freely bestowed and freely received.

God’s permissive will also reflects the mysterious relationship between Divine Providence and human action. God, Who is All-Powerful, can bring good even out of the gravest sins. This is not a credit to us but to God’s might. In the case of Judas, God used his betrayal to set in motion the very act of redemption. The same is true in our lives.

When we experience betrayal, or betray another, God is able to bring good out of that act. If we are guilty of betrayal and fail to repent, God’s justice will prevail, and we will be condemned. Though our sins against others are damaging, God can use even our sins for good in their lives. He can foster mercy and forgiveness in others’ hearts and unite them more fully with Himself, Who was betrayed.

When another sins against us, the impulse to judge and condemn is a common temptation. Yet, the lesson we must learn from Judas is recorded beautifully by Saint Paul: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even injustice and sins committed against us are not reasons for despair but for hope—hope in the sinner’s repentance and hope that God will transform evil into good for those who love Him and unite themselves with Jesus’ betrayal by Judas. 

Reflect today on God’s almighty power to work all things for good in your life, even sin. Though the sinner who refuses to repent will experience the fullness of God’s justice, profound good can come from our repentance and from imitating Jesus, Who endured cruel betrayal. Trust in His power and allow Him to bring good out of evil in your life. Doing so not only lifts the heavy burden of anger, it also infuses God’s perfect charity into any and everything we encounter or endure in life. 

My triumphant Lord, You were cruelly treated by one of Your closest companions, yet in Your almighty power You transformed that evil, bringing from it the greatest good ever known—our redemption. Please give me the grace to repent when I sin, and when I am sinned against, help me to unite that injustice to the betrayal You endured so that Your grace will triumph. Jesus, I trust in You.  

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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. Mark 3:7–8

Jesus was amassing quite a following, with people flocking to Him from territories that include modern-day Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Among them were traditional Hebraic Jews, Greek-speaking Jews, Syro-Phoenician Gentiles, and Edomites. This diverse crowd reveals how Jesus’ ministry transcended cultural, religious, and national boundaries, foreshadowing the universal call of the Gospel. While some were drawn to Him through authentic faith, others came out of curiosity, eager to witness His miracles.

Just prior to today’s Gospel, the Pharisees and Herodians began to plot Jesus’ death because they saw Him as a threat. In response, Jesus “withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.” His timing was perfect; the hour of His Passion had not yet come. This withdrawal was not an act of fear but a deliberate step forward in preparing for the next phase of His mission. There was still much to accomplish—gathering followers, performing works of mercy, and preparing the Twelve for their mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

While Jesus acted in accordance with divine wisdom, those who flocked to Him could only see the immediate. They were captivated by His teachings and miraculous works but often misunderstood the full scope of His mission. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–3). For Jesus, this “time” in His public ministry was a time to build up His earthly flock, teaching them, inspiring faith, and forming them for their mission.

As we consider the many and diverse people who flocked to Jesus at this time in His ministry, it’s important to see ourselves in them. Those who came to Him could have never imagined all that would follow. While some might have foreseen the possibility of His death due to the hostility of religious and political leaders, few, if any, could have predicted that Jesus’ Passion and Death were something He would freely welcome and embrace. At that time, they could never have understood that Jesus had to suffer and die for the salvation of souls. Moreover, everything that followed His death would have been foreign to them: His Resurrection, establishment of the Church, Ascension, bestowal of the Holy Spirit, and future coming as the Universal King.

We all go through countless experiences, some good, some bad. When we encounter something good, we often want to hold onto it, yet those experiences often fade with time. When we encounter something bad, we long for that situation to be removed or resolved, yet it sometimes stays longer than we hoped. 

Jesus’ life clearly teaches us that “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.” As we journey through life, we ought not dismiss the difficult times and try to cling to the good ones. We must enter and live each moment as it comes and goes, seeking to use everything as God intends it, preparing us for the glory that awaits us if we remain faithful until the end.

Reflect today on the seasons of your life, both the joys and the trials. How is God calling you to trust in His timing and use each moment to grow in faith and love? Consider whether you view your challenges as obstacles or as opportunities to deepen your trust in God’s perfect plan. Embrace the good and the difficult, growing in grace and virtue as you do, and your life will unfold in beautiful ways, giving glory to God. In doing so, you will reflect the trust and fidelity of Jesus Himself, whose perfect obedience to the Father brought about the salvation of the world.

Lord of perfect timing and wisdom, Your divine plan unfolded flawlessly throughout Your earthly life. At every moment, You lived in perfect accord with the Father’s will, embracing both joy and sorrow for the sake of salvation. Help me to trust in Your providence during every season of my life, the good and the difficult, confident that You bring forth an abundance of good fruit in all things. Strengthen my faith, and teach me to surrender fully to Your will. Jesus, I trust in You.

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Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. Mark 3:4–5

How would you answer this question? “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Objectively speaking, the answer is easy: “Yes!” But subjectively speaking, when we consider the person performing the good deed, it’s easy to let our thoughts, feelings, and past experiences of that person affect our judgment. If we have a grievance toward someone—resulting in anger, jealousy, or envy—our answer might differ from the ideal, as it did with the Pharisees toward Jesus.

Anger is a strong emotional reaction to perceived injustice or injury that, when disordered, can lead to resentment, bitterness, or a desire for vengeance. Jealousy is a fear of losing what we have to another and is rooted in insecurity or pride, leading to a protective but distorted attachment to our own status, relationships, or achievements. Envy is a sadness or sorrow over the blessings or successes of another, often accompanied by a refusal to celebrate their good fortune and a desire that they be deprived of it. These are ugly sins. Sins that filled Jesus’ Sacred Heart with righteous anger and holy grief.

In this Gospel passage, the Pharisees appear to suffer from all three sins. Their anger is evident in their hostile reaction to Jesus’ words and actions, as they see Him as a threat to their authority and influence. Their jealousy manifests in their fear of losing their power and status among the people to Jesus, whose teachings and miracles overshadow their own ministry. Their envy becomes apparent in their inability to rejoice in the man’s healing, resenting instead Jesus’ authority and the attention he attracts. These sins harden their hearts, blinding them to God’s mercy and love that Jesus embodies, and lead them down a path of malice and conspiracy.

When we consider the Pharisees’ negative and sinful reactions, it’s easy to condemn them, thinking we would never react that way. Yet, before we jump to that conclusion, it’s important to examine all the relationships and encounters we have with others.

Jesus embodies every virtue and spiritual gift—mercy and justice, compassion and strength, diligence and docility, humility and majesty, patience and zeal, wisdom and prudence, faith and fortitude, hope and charity. For which of these did the Pharisees manifest their anger, jealousy, and envy? It’s impossible to answer that question because these sins are always rooted in irrationality. The same is true in our lives.

Considering the people we encounter on a regular basis, it’s important to examine whether we struggle with anger, jealousy, or envy. This is often difficult to do because these sins blind us to the truth. When we are angry, we irrationally blame others as the cause of our anger. When jealous, our insecurity leads us to justify our reaction and condemn the one whom we feel is a threat. When envious, our self-concern distorts our ability to see the good in another, preventing us from rejoicing in their success or goodness.

Jesus came to set us free from these heavy burdens. The Pharisees were not happy because these sins dominated their lives. Similarly, we will never find the peace, joy, and happiness we desire until we turn anger into love and forgiveness, jealousy into gratitude, and envy into admiration and rejoicing in the blessings of others. 

Reflect today on those people you encounter on a regular basis. Where these sins enter into those relationships, accept responsibility for them, confess them, and pray for virtue to replace them. Our Lord wants us to rejoice with Him, participate in His glorious virtues and spiritual gifts, and receive the overflowing rewards that they bestow. 

Most virtuous and gifted Lord, You embody all that is good, all that is holy, and all that flows from Your divine Godhead. When I act more like the Pharisees than like You, open my eyes to the sins of anger, jealousy, and envy. Free me from these heavy burdens by revealing to me the humble truth and filling me with the virtues and gifts You long to bestow. Jesus, I trust in You.

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“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath” Mark 2:27–28

Today’s Gospel should console those who struggle with a legalistic and scrupulous mindset. This is an easy trap to fall into for those who desire to keep God’s commandments and remain faithful to His holy will. Despite the best intentions, it’s easy for those who are deeply sincere in their fidelity to God to misunderstand how best to please and glorify Him. One common trap is to think that meticulous observance of the external Law is sufficient. While obedience to God’s Law is essential, it is equally important to understand the authentic requirements of His Law—what it truly demands and what it does not.

Today’s Gospel takes place toward the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, after He had named His Twelve Apostles and begun preaching and healing. As they walked to another town on the Sabbath so Jesus could continue His mission, they passed through a field. The Apostles, being hungry, forged a path through the grain and picked some of it to eat. When the Pharisees saw them doing this, they seized the opportunity to condemn them, saying, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” (Mark 2:24).

Without getting too philosophical, it’s important to understand what we call God’s Eternal Law. The Eternal Law encompasses reality—physical, moral, and spiritual truths. All that God has established as true must be our guide through life. The goal of the evil one is to deceive us by leading us into a false understanding of that reality.

Traditionally, the Eternal Law has been divided into two distinct aspects: the Natural and Divine Laws. The Divine Law is all that is known only through divine revelation—all that the Scriptures reveal, especially through Christ’s humanity and mission. The Natural Law, on the other hand, is written upon creation itself, including our own human nature. Natural Law is written on our consciences and discerned through reason. For example, we instinctively know it is wrong to lie, steal, and murder. Though God’s Divine Law confirms this through the Ten Commandments, these basic moral truths are already evident to us when we reflect clearly.

In today’s Gospel, the Apostles’ actions were perfectly aligned with right reason—the Natural Law—showing how their choices reflected God’s design for human flourishing. They were eating grain as they journeyed with Jesus so He could continue His mission. Their need for sustenance, especially while in service to Christ, took precedence over rigid legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath. The Pharisees, however, mistook the Sabbath for an end in itself. They focused solely on external observance and failed to understand that the Sabbath was instituted as a gift for humanity—a day for rest, worship, and renewal in communion with God.

What’s freeing and beautiful to note is that the Natural Law, written on our human reason, and the Divine Law, revealed through the Scriptures, are in perfect harmony. Both flow from God. Through His mission, Jesus shows us how the Divine Law elevates and perfects the Natural Law, orienting both toward love and mercy. The Pharisees’ legalism obscured this harmony, reducing the Law to a burdensome set of rules rather than as a pathway to life and freedom.

Reflect today on your own approach to God’s Law. If you find it burdensome, reevaluate your thinking. Properly understood and embraced, God’s Law is not a weight; it’s the source of freedom. The Sabbath, in particular, invites us to rest and trust in God’s providence. When we live according to the Eternal Law—both Natural and Divine—we discover harmony within our souls that refreshes and elevates us. Resolve to follow God’s Law with love, avoiding both scrupulosity and laxity, and you will find the freedom and joy for which you were created.

Divine Law-Giver, all that You have spoken and established is Truth. You are the Source of Truth and Truth Itself. Please free me from both laxity and scrupulosity as I strive to live in accord with Your will. May I find in Your Law the pathway to freedom and joy. Jesus, I trust in You.

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The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” Mark 2:18–19

Fasting was common in Old Testament times. Its purpose was to express repentance, mourning, or preparation for divine intervention. This was especially true among John the Baptist’s disciples who fasted in response to John’s call to repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

Though the Pharisees fasted, their fasting was often for show, to illustrate a false piety. Recall the Pharisee’s prayer in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector: “The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income’” (Luke 18:11–12). 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains that His disciples do not fast now, but that a day is coming when they will need to fast. Jesus explains this within the context of revealing His divine identity as the Bridegroom of God’s people.

Through the prophets, God often described His relationship with His people in terms of a marriage covenant. Isaiah said, “For your husband is your Maker; the LORD of hosts is his name, Your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth” (Isaiah 54:5). Hosea prophesied, “I will betroth you to me forever: I will betroth you to me with justice and with judgment, with loyalty and with compassion…” (Hosea 2:22–23).

While Jesus, the Bridegroom, was with them physically, His disciples were at their wedding banquet, celebrating the new marriage covenant God was establishing with them. It was inappropriate to fast at such a banquet. However, “the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day” (Mark 2:20). This is a reference to Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Ascension. He prophesied that once the New Marital Covenant was sealed in His Blood and His earthly mission completed, “they will fast on that day.” That day is today!

In the early Church, fasting was also common: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:2–3). In this instance, fasting helped the teachers and prophets in Antioch discern Saul and Barnabas’ mission in preparation for sending them forth.

Today, Jesus not only calls us to regular forms of fasting and mortification, doing so is an essential part of our spiritual journey. This teaching is clear in the New Testament. For example, at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry He entered the desert and “fasted for forty days and forty nights” (Matthew 4:2). This models for us the value of fasting as we attempt to fulfill our missions and overcome the temptations of the evil one.

If we want to imitate our Lord, deepen our covenantal bond with Him, and further His mission, then we must regularly fast. Though fasting is only required twice a year—on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday—we are encouraged to do so weekly, especially on Fridays, uniting this practice to our prayer life. 

Reflect today on your practice of fasting and other forms of regular mortification. Fasting is an interior discipline that unites us to the suffering Christ and prepares our hearts to receive His abundant grace. By helping us overcome the enticements of the flesh and distractions of this world, fasting refocuses our souls on the eternal wedding feast that awaits us in Heaven. Embrace fasting not as a burden, but as a joyful opportunity to grow in holiness, deepen your covenantal relationship with the Bridegroom, and prepare more fully for the mission on which He sends you.

My Lord and Bridegroom, through the shedding of Your Blood, You have established a New Covenant of love and salvation with me. I long to deepen this covenant and remain faithful to the mission You have entrusted to me. When I am tempted by the disorder of my appetites or distracted by the allurements of the world, remind me of the necessity and grace of fasting. Help me to embrace this holy practice with joyful anticipation of its spiritual rewards and with greater trust in Your providence. Jesus, I trust in You.

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John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” John 1:29–30

Central to the Jewish faith was the Feast of Passover, the commemoration of God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12). In Jesus’ time, Passover was one of three major annual feasts during which the Jews made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. Additionally, the Feast of Weeks celebrated the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai and the first fruits of the harvest (Leviticus 23:15-22), and the Feast of Tabernacles recalled the Israelites’ wandering in the desert and celebrated God’s providence (Leviticus 23:33-43).

Recall the first Passover meal. Moses instructed the people to sacrifice an unblemished lamb, mark the doorposts of their homes with its blood, and eat the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs in haste, ready to depart. This act of faith and obedience protected them from the angel of death who passed over the marked houses, sparing the firstborn of Israel, while striking down the firstborn of Egypt. The Passover thus became a perpetual memorial of God’s saving power and His covenantal faithfulness to His people.

Because of the Passover, the idea of a sacrificial lamb was intimately familiar to the Jewish people. The Jews were also familiar with the prophecy in Isaiah 53—often referred to as the Suffering Servant—in which the servant of the Lord is described as “a lamb led to the slaughter,” who bears the sins of many (Isaiah 53:7, 10–12). Additionally, each morning and evening, a lamb was sacrificed in the temple as a continual offering for sin (Exodus 29:38–42).

As Jesus began His public ministry, the first thing said of Him came from John the Baptist: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” His words would have resonated within the minds and hearts of John’s disciples. His disciples believed that John was a great prophet and the forerunner of the Messiah, sent to prepare the way for the Lord. They saw him as a holy man who called for repentance and renewal, and some even wondered if he himself might be the Christ, though John consistently denied this.

Because John’s ministry was one of preparation for the Messiah, his disciples would have anticipated the Messiah’s imminent arrival. Imagine the excitement, surprise, questions, uncertainty, and hope that would have filled their minds and hearts as they listened to John’s prophecy about Jesus. John continued, “He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’”

Though John’s proclamation about Jesus took on a powerful significance for his disciples that first moment that he revealed Jesus as the Lamb of God, John’s words must resonate within each of us today. Now that the Christmas Season is complete and we enter into Ordinary Time, we are invited to embrace Jesus’ public ministry, with all His teachings and Paschal Sacrifice, as something extraordinary in our lives. We must approach His ministry with the same hope, enthusiasm, excitement, and anticipation that John’s disciples experienced. 

Reflect today on the moment when John the Baptist’s disciples heard him proclaim, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Like them, strive to see Jesus with new eyes and hopeful anticipation as we begin Ordinary Time. This liturgical season marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, and it must also be a renewed beginning of His works in your life. Follow Him without reserve, allowing Him to take away your sins and share in His life and love. 

Most holy Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, I choose to follow You, for You are the Messiah, the Son of God. As we enter into Ordinary Time, please give me the grace to embrace Your public ministry in an extraordinary way. May Your working in my life begin anew, transforming me and leading me to the freedom won by Your Paschal Sacrifice. Jesus, I trust in You.

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Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Mark 2:16–17

Today’s Gospel presents very good news: Jesus “did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” None of us is righteous; we are all sinners. From the divine perspective, each of us is in need of God’s mercy. Admitting this truth and embracing God’s mercy is often difficult for two reasons.

First, we might struggle to view our lives honestly through God’s eyes. This often stems from pride—the sin that gives us a false, elevated image of ourselves. Pride distorts reality, making it difficult to see our weaknesses. Secondly, we often fail to admit our sinfulness because we fail to recognize God’s mercy. If we did recognize and understand God’s infinite mercy, we would not fear to acknowledge our sins.

Imagine this: In an ancient kingdom, a person breaks the law, is arrested, and is brought before the king. Out of fear of punishment, the person might try to hide the truth or downplay the crime. But what if the king were perfectly merciful, only desiring the conversion of his subjects and not their punishment? The guilty person would have no reason to hide. Instead, he could admit his guilt, express sorrow, and resolve to change. In response, the king would not only forgive him but also offer everything necessary to help him begin anew.

This is our God. We do not need to fear being honest with ourselves or with Him. He is the Divine Physician, and we are the sick who need His healing touch. We need to see our sins clearly, confess them humbly, and rely on God’s mercy to change.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls the tax collector Levi—also known as Matthew—to follow Him. Levi was a Jew who cooperated with the Roman occupiers, burdening his fellow Jews with unjust taxes. He likely used fear and intimidation to extract more than was owed, enriching himself at their expense. As a result, Levi would have experienced deep guilt and the disdain of Jewish authorities, including the scribes and Pharisees.

Although we do not know the exact workings of Levi’s soul when Jesus called him, we do know his response: He left his customs post, changed his life, and followed Jesus. Levi then welcomed Jesus and His disciples into his home for a meal, where other tax collectors and sinners were present.

The fact that these sinners gathered at Levi’s table and shared a meal with Jesus reveals something extraordinary: They sensed His merciful heart. In Jesus’ presence, they did not feel condemned but loved. His gaze was one of healing, not judgment, inviting them to a new life. That meal was, in essence, a sinners’ gathering—souls who found in Jesus the freedom and hope to change.

The scribes and Pharisees, in contrast, represent more than judgmental attitudes. They symbolize the thoughts of guilt, shame, and unworthiness that often plague those who struggle with habitual sin. These inner voices can lead us to fear repentance, falsely believing that our sins are too great for God’s mercy. We must reject those voices and remember Jesus’ words: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.”

Reflect today on the freedom that awaits those who discover Jesus as the Divine Physician who heals our wounds. If you allow guilt, shame, or fear to keep you from God’s mercy, then place yourself at that sinners’ meal with Jesus. Sin is a heavy burden to carry, but like Levi, we are invited to turn away from it with humble repentance. Let God forgive your past, heal your wounds, and lead you forward as His disciple.

Lord Jesus, Divine Physician, You are perfectly merciful, desiring to heal sinners, not condemn them. Please help me to see my sins honestly and to trust in Your boundless mercy without fear. May I respond to Your call with humble repentance and follow You with a faithful heart. Jesus, I trust in You.

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“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” Mark 2:9–11

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus began His ministry in Capernaum. Shortly after calling His first Apostles, Jesus preached in the synagogue, leaving many amazed. After healing a demoniac and Peter’s mother-in-law, the whole town gathered at the house where Jesus was staying, and “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 1:34).

After this, Jesus withdrew to a deserted place to pray, despite the people’s growing fascination with His miracles. When the Apostles found Him, He revealed the essence of His mission: “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come” (Mark 1:38). From there, He and His Apostles traveled to other towns, fulfilling His primary mission: to preach the Good News of repentance and reconciliation with God.

In one of these towns, out of deep compassion, Jesus healed a leper. However, this miracle only intensified the people’s focus on His power to heal, overshadowing His preaching. When crowds pursued Him seeking miracles, He returned to Capernaum, which brings us to today’s Gospel.

In Capernaum, Jesus resumed His primary mission: “He preached the word to them” (Mark 2:2). Yet the people, who were focused more on His miraculous works, crowded around Him. As Jesus preached—likely in Peter’s house—some men arrived carrying a paralytic. They were unable to enter because of the crowd, so they climbed to the roof, opened it, and lowered the man down.

What happens next is profound: Jesus looks at the man and says, “Child, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). Jesus does not first address the man’s physical paralysis. Instead, He speaks to the man’s deeper need—his spiritual healing. Jesus recognized the faith of the paralytic and that of those who brought him and forgave the man’s sins. Why does Jesus do this? Because spiritual healing takes precedence over physical healing. Jesus’ primary mission was to call sinners to repentance and bring about reconciliation with God. Physical healing was always secondary.

When the scribes question Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, they fail to recognize that Jesus is not just a miracle worker—He is the Son of God. To teach them about His authority to forgive sins, Jesus says: “‘But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth’—he said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.’” The man did just that in full view of everyone, leaving the crowd astonished. The physical healing is a visible sign of Jesus’ invisible power to forgive sins. Hence, the miracle in today’s Gospel, which is of secondary importance, was performed to teach the people about Jesus’ primary mission.

In each of our lives, Jesus wants to fulfill His primary mission. He wants to forgive our sins and reconcile us with the Father and with Himself. First and foremost, this takes place through the powerful and transforming Sacrament of Reconciliation. It’s amazing that even though that Sacrament fulfills the essence of Jesus’ mission, many fail to take advantage of that grace, preferring instead to seek other favors from God of their own choosing. 

Reflect today on your approach to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Do you regularly bring your sins to Jesus in faith, allowing Him to heal and reconcile you to the Father? As you ponder today’s Gospel, place yourself in the shoes of the paralytic. See yourself as Jesus sees you—someone in need of His mercy and grace. Though He may grant us many blessings, the greatest gift He desires to bestow is the forgiveness of our sins. Yearn to hear His words echo in your heart in the Sacrament of Reconciliation: “Child, your sins are forgiven.” 

Most merciful Lord, You came to preach the Good News of forgiveness and to reconcile us with the Father. This was Your mission long ago, and it remains so today. Grant me the grace to long for this gift always and to make it the focus of my life, so that Your mission may be fulfilled in me. Jesus, I trust in You.

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“See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” Mark 1:44

Miracles amaze and inspire us. For that reason, it is common for people of faith to pray for them. They are acts of God’s great mercy, but the miracles we pray for are not always part of God’s plan. In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a leper who comes to Him, kneels down, and says, “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). After that, Jesus’ Sacred Heart is moved with compassion, so He says to the leper, “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mark 1:41). Once healed, Jesus does something that might surprise us: He tells the man not to tell anyone about the healing. Why the secrecy?

This pattern of a divine manifestation of Jesus’ power, followed by His command not to publicize the experience, is often referred to as Jesus’ “Messianic Secret.” We see this invitation to secrecy especially throughout the Synoptic Gospels. For example, after Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ, Jesus “warned them not to tell anyone about him.” (Mark 8:30). Similarly, following the Transfiguration, He commands Peter, James, and John, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead” (Matthew 17:9). Even when Jesus silences demons who proclaim His identity, such as when they cry out, “You are the Son of God,” He “rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah” (Luke 4:41).

This pattern of secrecy highlights an important truth: Jesus’ identity as the Messiah could not be fully understood apart from the Cross and the Resurrection. At this early stage in His ministry, publicizing His miracles risked distorting His mission, as many people expected a political or earthly Messiah. The fact that Jesus manifested His divine power at times led many to seek Him out for that power rather than for the real purpose of His mission. We must learn from this pattern and seek out Jesus for the right reasons.

The Messianic Secret reminds us that while miracles reveal God’s mercy and power, they are not ends in themselves. Rather, they point to the deeper truth of Christ’s mission. He came to reconcile humanity to the Father through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. This truth calls us to embrace God’s will over our own preferences, humbly recognizing that God’s plan unfolds according to His ways and timing, not ours.

Do you desire miracles in your life? It’s understandable that when we encounter some heavy burden we might ask God to intervene and resolve the situation. God sometimes does so, but only when, in His wisdom, He sees that the answered prayer will bear the most important fruit He desires to bestow: the sanctification of our souls, leading to our salvation.

If we want to be followers of Christ, it’s important that we follow Him on His terms. The heart of the Gospel message is not, “Ask me for favors and I will grant them.” Rather, it is, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Freedom from sin is more important than physical healings or resolutions to earthly issues. In fact, God often uses physical ailments and other crosses to deepen our trust in Him because they give us an opportunity to unite ourselves to His Passion. This leads to greater holiness and eternal blessings, rather than earthly and passing rewards. 

Reflect today on the miracles you might be hoping for in your own life. Are you willing to trust in God’s wisdom and timing, even if His answer is not what you want? Rather than focusing solely on temporal favors, resolve to deepen your faith in Christ’s mission. Commit to embrace His will, especially in moments of suffering or uncertainty, knowing that God’s greatest desire is your salvation. Seek first His Kingdom, confident that His plan—whether through miracles, crosses, or quiet moments of grace—will always lead you to a deeper union with Him. 

All-powerful Lord, You can do all things. At times, You intervene and bring resolution to crosses. At other times, You call me to embrace those crosses with hope and trust, knowing that Your wisdom is far above my own. Please give me the grace I need to seek Your will above my own, trusting that You will work all things for good when I love You with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.

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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. Mark 1:35–39

Jesus’ prayer was unique. He did not pray because He needed God in His life—He was and is God. Yet, in His human nature, He regularly withdrew to be alone and to pray to His Father. Jesus’ prayer teaches us two primary lessons.

First, Jesus’ prayer reveals Who He is. He is the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. As a member of the Trinity, Jesus prayed in solitude, not to become closer to the Father, for He and the Father are eternally one in essence; rather, His prayer expressed and revealed that perfect union to us. Unity with and love of the Father are at the center of Who He is.

Though we are not God, we are made for oneness with God. This is not an external invitation but an essential part of who we are and who we must become. In Heaven, our lives will be one ongoing and eternal expression of prayer—a perfect union with God. That union must begin now, and the foundation of its growth is prayer.

By going off alone to pray to the Father, Jesus also models for us the way to the Father. His action is prophetic, calling us to set aside moments each day for nothing other than prayer. While we are called to pray continually throughout the day, this habit is nourished by intentional moments of silence in which we immerse ourselves in God’s presence. In our fallen nature, daily moments of focused prayer are necessary for clearing the distractions of life, overcoming sin, and allowing God’s grace to draw us into deeper union with Him.

Jesus’ prayer invites us to examine our own daily prayer life. How often do you pray each day? How do you pray? Does your prayer change you, transforming you into who God made you to be? Most people easily find time every day for less important things, such as entertainment, idle conversations, and daily work. Though these things have their place, they must never overshadow that which is most important. We must learn to pray and be faithful to prayer every day.

One of the best ways to pray is to participate in the Mass. In the Mass, we most fully share in Christ’s human life, sacrifice, and divine presence. The Mass is the summit of prayer and the foundation of our spiritual life. We receive Him into our lives as we consume His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. To participate in the Mass well, daily moments of prayer are essential. At times, we must silence every other thought and actively offer our praise to God. Meditation on the Word of God is also essential. Taking time to read the Gospel, in particular, and meditating on those passages disposes us to hear God’s voice. His Word counters the many lies and temptations we face during our daily activities, preparing us to live more fully as God’s sons and daughters.

Reflect today on your commitment to daily prayer by following Jesus’ example. Resolve to find a moment of solitude in which you silence your heart and simply dwell in God’s presence. Let this time of prayer become the cornerstone of your day and a foretaste of the union with God in Heaven for which you were created. Prayer is not an option; it is the very path to becoming who we are meant to be—united with God in love, now and for all eternity. 

My prayerful Lord, Your prayer revealed Your perfect union with the Father and set an example for us to follow. Grant me the wisdom and strength to remain faithful to daily moments of personal prayer—times when I can simply be with You and express my love for You. May these moments transform every part of my day, leading me to greater charity here on earth and preparing me for perfect union with You in eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.

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