Faith Daily | 11 January 2023

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p526

Almighty God,

who anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit

and revealed him as your beloved Son:

inspire us, your children,

who are born again of water and the Spirit,

to surrender our lives to your service,

that we may rejoice to be called your children;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Mark 1: 29-39

29As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38He answered, “Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.ey him.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Mary Dean

Many aspects of the life of Jesus come together in this reading. After the morning drama in the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon and Andrew. The restrictions of Sabbath observance necessitated their having a quiet day. But Simon’s mother-in-law was ill and Jesus was moved to cure her. He always put compassion before the law.

The Sabbath ended at sundown and this allowed “the whole city” to come with their sick and possessed. They encamped at the door until Jesus had exercised his healing power. How late was it when all that was over? Yet in the morning, “while it was still very dark”, Jesus slipped out of the house, found a deserted place, and gave himself to prayer. Are we surprised that Jesus felt the need to pray?

A search party was sent to look for Jesus. When they found him a curious conversation ensued which involved an apostolic choice: to return to Capernaum as the inhabitants wanted, or to move on to other towns? Jesus had already (in prayer?) decided on the latter option.

This scene brings up the importance for us of availability. As a faith community we are invited to be available to those who are in genuine need. At the same time, there is what we might call the ‘poverty of availability’. We need to find a balance between people’s needs and our limited resources. We do not help people by working ourselves to the point of ‘burnout’.

Having ‘quality time’ with God, to pray, reflect and renew our energy is central. Jesus gives us an excellent example here by going away to a deserted place to pray. Let us remember to stay close to the source of all love.

FINAL PRAYER David Adam “BorderLands”

I weave a silence on to my lips

I weave a silence into my mind

I weave a silence within my heart

I close my ears to distractions

I close my eyes to attractions

I close my heart to temptations

Calm me O Lord as you stilled the storm

Still me O Lord, keep me from harm

Let all the tumult within me cease

Enfold me Lord in your peace

Amen.