Mark 1:20, Acts 12:24---13:5, John 12:44-50, Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

Daily Meditation:  Mark 1:20

Mark 1:20

20 Immediately, Jesus called them and they followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men.

Beloved, when You call us to follow You, only those who are free of all attachments can respond without hesitation to Your call.  James and John were sons of their father and were employed in their father's affairs but when You passed by and invited them to follow You, they did so with a promptness that is only possible if one is free.  Hired men have masters to whom they are answerable.  Being free enables us to respond to Your call without hesitation or procrastination.  As You have rightly said, no man can serve two masters.  

I am free my Lord and I choose to follow You wherever You go. Keep me sensitive and alert to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  Grant me a willing heart and a cheerful disposition.

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Daily Mass Readings:  Acts 12:24---13:5, John 12:44-50, 

                                       Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

Acts 12:24---13:5

Verse 24 

24 Meanwhile the word of God was increasing and spreading.

In the present age too my Beloved, the Word of God is being spread with increasing speed through the modern means of electronic media which it makes it possible to reach all the corners of the globe, without leaving your living room.  There are many who evangelize by using these technologies for this wonderful purpose.  

Acts 13:2-4

2 On one occasion while they were celebrating the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Bar­nabas and Saul to do the work for which I have called them.” 3 So, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.• 4 These then, sent by the Holy Spirit, went down to the port of Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus.

Whatever work the Church undertakes, it is under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Only such work is fruitful.  For over 2000 years the Church in her priestly ministry, has celebrated You in the Eucharist.  Even today, Your priests are called personally by You.  They respond to Your invitation to become fishers of men.  Only those that are free from all worldly attachments and vow to free themselves through grace and embrace the gift of a celibate life can follow You joyfully and completely and with alacrity.  Hands are laid on them in in an unbroken chain which can be traced back to the Apostles.

 

John 12:44-50

How significant these verses are Beloved. You taught and spoke with passion.  There was an urgent message of love that You wanted us to hear for in it lies our salvation.  It is the Word that gives life if only we will believe.  When I say, "I believe," then my Beloved, I accept the Father's plan of salvation.  I accept the incarnation, I accept the redemption that comes from Your sacrifice when You laid down You life for me.    I accept the entire message of salvation that You came in the flesh to deliver.  

You brought Light into the world, a Light that dispels the darkness that tries tirelessly to engulf the world; but will never succeed because You have triumphed.  How many have heard the Good news my Beloved and have rejected it because they could not bear the Truth - because the Truth condemns them in their sins and their way of life.  To follow You demands renunciation of the darkness and the works done in the dark - works that cannot bear the light that emanates from You and Your Word.  

You did not come into the world to condemn it.  As long as we  plead to the Father for Your Name's sake,  to have pity and to forgive those who have strayed from the fold and rejected You, He will hear and He will answer. This is how He wants us to plead for His mercy - mercy that flows from Your Passion.  Thank You Beloved.

Psalm 67:2-3, 8

2 May God be gracious and bless us;

may he let his face shine upon us,

3 that your way be known on earth

and your salvation among the nations.

8 May God bless us and be revered,

to the very ends of the earth.

Beloved, bless the work of all who spread the Good news by using all the tools available to them.  Most especially, bless missionaries - both priests, religious and lay people who put themselves in harm's way in order to bring the Light of the Gospel in difficult and dangerous circumstances.

Lord hear our prayer.