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WEDNESDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
> Colossians 1:1-8
> Psalm 52:10,11
In today's Gospel reading at Mass we read from the Gospel of Luke and catch a glimpse of a typical day in the life of Jesus. Today's text from Luke 4 mirrors a similar tract from Mark 1. In Mark 1 we also get an account of a typical day in the life of Jesus. Here's a snapshot.
Now after a day like that don't you think most of us would need a break? Maybe a cocktail? Not Jesus. Check out the parallel reading to today's Gospel: "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." (Mark 1:32-34)
"When it was evening, after sunset" ... it's dark, it's night ... that's when you and I unplug, get a little "me" time and get ready for bed, right? Not Jesus. And, check out this detail: "The whole town was gathered at the door."
Here's the scene: It's been a long day. Teaching. Preaching. Healing. Exorcisms. Massive crowds. Exhausting. And, after dinner there's a knock on the door ... you peer outside and "The whole town was gathered at the door." 200 people, 500 people, 1,000 people? Whew. "The whole town" wanted Him.
Jesus has one response: He gets up, goes outside, 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)
Wow. Jesus loves. He loves that much. He loves tirelessly.
The Catechism teaches: "God calls man first. Man may forget his Creator or hide far from his face; he may run after idols or accuse the deity of having abandoned him; yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer." (Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 2567)
Jesus loves you that much. He tirelessly loves you. The Catechism states: "Man may forget his Creator". Maybe that's you. Maybe life is busy, maybe life got busy. Maybe you have forgotten God and your priorities have gotten a bit upside down. The Catechism states: "Man may ... hide far from his face". Maybe that's you. Maybe you're hiding from God. Maybe you're afraid, ashamed, or angry at yourself, feeling as if you're unforgivable. The Catechism states: "Man may ... run after idols". Maybe that's you. Maybe you're grasping at sin ... again. Maybe you're trying to live in control. The Catechism states: "Man may ... accuse the deity of having abandoned him". Maybe that's you. Maybe you're mad at God. Maybe you're resisting having the real conversation with God because you don't know why life is hard. Maybe all that's true.
Here's what the truth. "[The] living and true God tirelessly calls each person" to peace, freedom, and communion. God hasn't given up on you. In fact, He's pursuing you. Jesus is tirelessly pursuing you just like He did all those people many years ago.
Regardless of where you've been, regardless of what has happened ... today ... right now ... in the present moment ... Jesus is pursuing you ... tirelessly.
© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013
DON'T FORGET: FR. MARK WILL BEGIN TEACHING A CLASS ON PRAYER STARTING A WEEK FROM TODAY! WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 @ 6:30 PM @ CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 85.447.2013.- Jesus walks by the Sea of Galilee and calls disciples to follow him. (Mark 1:16-20)
- Jesus stops and begins to preach. During his teaching a man possessed by the Devil starts acting up. Jesus exorcizes the demon. (Mark 1:21-18)
- Jesus and the disciples stop in at Peter's in-laws' house for lunch. His mother-in-law is sick so Jesus simply heals her. (Mark 1:29-31)
- Jesus spends the rest of the afternoon teaching and healing.
- After a busy afternoon where the crowds were so large they were pressing in on Jesus, the disciples go to the house and eat dinner.
Now after a day like that don't you think most of us would need a break? Maybe a cocktail? Not Jesus. Check out the parallel reading to today's Gospel: "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." (Mark 1:32-34)
"When it was evening, after sunset" ... it's dark, it's night ... that's when you and I unplug, get a little "me" time and get ready for bed, right? Not Jesus. And, check out this detail: "The whole town was gathered at the door."
Here's the scene: It's been a long day. Teaching. Preaching. Healing. Exorcisms. Massive crowds. Exhausting. And, after dinner there's a knock on the door ... you peer outside and "The whole town was gathered at the door." 200 people, 500 people, 1,000 people? Whew. "The whole town" wanted Him.
Jesus has one response: He gets up, goes outside, 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)
Wow. Jesus loves. He loves that much. He loves tirelessly.
The Catechism teaches: "God calls man first. Man may forget his Creator or hide far from his face; he may run after idols or accuse the deity of having abandoned him; yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer." (Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 2567)
Jesus loves you that much. He tirelessly loves you. The Catechism states: "Man may forget his Creator". Maybe that's you. Maybe life is busy, maybe life got busy. Maybe you have forgotten God and your priorities have gotten a bit upside down. The Catechism states: "Man may ... hide far from his face". Maybe that's you. Maybe you're hiding from God. Maybe you're afraid, ashamed, or angry at yourself, feeling as if you're unforgivable. The Catechism states: "Man may ... run after idols". Maybe that's you. Maybe you're grasping at sin ... again. Maybe you're trying to live in control. The Catechism states: "Man may ... accuse the deity of having abandoned him". Maybe that's you. Maybe you're mad at God. Maybe you're resisting having the real conversation with God because you don't know why life is hard. Maybe all that's true.
Here's what the truth. "[The] living and true God tirelessly calls each person" to peace, freedom, and communion. God hasn't given up on you. In fact, He's pursuing you. Jesus is tirelessly pursuing you just like He did all those people many years ago.
Regardless of where you've been, regardless of what has happened ... today ... right now ... in the present moment ... Jesus is pursuing you ... tirelessly.
© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013
GOD TIRELESSLY PURSUES US
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