https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011824.cfm
Hearing What Jesus Was Doing
I remember reading a book on St. Joan of Arc. She was burned at the stake because she had heard Jesus speaking to her. While the guards set the fire, the judge asked her, “How do you hear Jesus speak to you?” She replied, “In my imagination, of course. How else can I hear Him?”
In today’s Gospel, the crowd heard what Jesus was doing, healing everyone from everywhere. What is Jesus doing in your life? What keeps coming up all the time? Why not pause what you are doing a couple of times a day? Maybe in the morning when having that first cup of coffee.
Take some deep breaths—breathe in the Holy Spirit deeply and breathe out all the thoughts bombarding your mind. Acknowledge them and let them go like the wind blows a feather away. Thoughts always obey our wills.
We must hear Jesus first before we follow Him.
Gospel Challenge:
Imagine yourself falling ever so gently into the Lord’s Presence deep within you. And rest there for a few moments. In the quiet peace deep within us, we hear the voice of the Lord. Something strikes you from today’s Gospel. Listen to it.
Don’t try to think about it or try to work something out. Just rest with those words or feelings with a gentle wonder, repeating them over and over. Listen with your heart. Let Jesus do the talking. Then, see what He wants to do in you today.
The voice of the Lord is like the blue sky. It is always there. Enjoy that cup of coffee with Jesus. It will refresh you for the rest of the day.
Love Your Neighbor:
Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Hail Mary, full of grace…
Mother Mary, “I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.” The Surrender Novena – InHeartland. https://inheartland.com/pages/the-surrender-novena
Peace be with you.
Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.
pastor@bscchurch.com