Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

In today’s gospel a leper comes to Jesus and asks to be cured.  No matter how large the crowd, Jesus never stops seeing the individual and his or her particular need.  He listens to the leper, shunned by society as the man comes in faith to say: “If you choose, you can make me clean.”  Moved with compassion, Jesus touches the man and heals him.

We all feel stressed at times from trying to meet the many demands placed upon us each day.  Let us be reassured by the example of Jesus today.  May we always strive to hear the voice of God within us and never let the cacophony of voices around us distract from the only voice which really matters in our life.  Unless we hear the voice of God within us, we will never hear the pleas of those who need us the most.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

In today’s gospel we see Jesus help Simon’s mother-in–law.  She then in turn waited on them.

Then Jesus cured the sick who were brought to Him, expelled demons from the possessed He encountered, and preached the good news to the poor.

What Jesus did, we too must do in our own ministry to those in need today.  Where we find sickness, we can offer assistance in some form.  Where we find possession by drugs or drink, we can support programs that help those who are afflicted.   Where we find depression, we can share the good news of hope that can be  recovered by prayer.

Sometimes we can help people cope with their difficulties by words or gestures of encouragement.  At other times we can help people through their pain by just being present and sympathetic.  Whatever we have to say or do to minister to someone who is hurting should be of great importance to us.

Such a person may experience a day when his or her life seems to fall apart because of loss of job or health or a loved one.  But he should never know a day or night without a friend.  He or she should always be able to depend on our being there the way Jesus would be present—to touch, to listen and to love.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell

 

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

In Mark’s gospel this Sunday we see people spellbound by Christ’s teachings because He taught with authority; we see demons obey His command because He was the Holy One of God.

Jesus speaks with full authority because it was given to Him by His Father.  He speaks nothing but the truth.  Through His words, He leads us to freedom.  He is the source of our fulfillment.  Jesus comes to teach us with full authority and power.

Pray that we may not harden our hearts and stifle His voice.  Pray that we may listen to His words and not to the lies of the false prophets of today.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell