Lord, I come to you that I may be free and healed

January 19, Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Hebrews 7:25 - 8:6 Gospel: Mark 3:7-12

Jesus healed many, so sick people pressed to touch him. Unclean spirits would fall before him and exclaim, "You are the Son of God." He warned them not to make him known. 

Today’s reading summarizes Jesus' ministry. It highlights preaching, healing, and exorcism. The scene is the biblical Lake of Galilee. In today's Gospel, "a large crowd" from Galilee and other regions surrounded the Lord (cf. Mk 3:7-8) in order to touch him so that they might be healed. And He cared for everyone for their benefit.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “By freeing some individuals from the earthly evils of hunger, injustice, illness, and death, Jesus performed messianic signs. Nevertheless, he did not come to abolish all evils here below, but to free men from the gravest slavery, sin.” (CCC 549) 

Whenever we are in difficulties of life’s problems, it is important to realize that Jesus is present and communicates to us personally in our inner eventfulness, loving us unconditionally. He is always ready to help us and heal us. In his presence, we can be fully who we are. Be with Jesus as he reveals to us what he values most in our lives and all of our commitments to him and others.

Today, I came to you, Lord, hoping to be cured and to hear the Good News. We will come to you no matter where you are because we need You. We want to be healed by You. We want to be free, especially from the slavery of sin. With You, we feel that we need nothing. Lord, please be with us always and never let us depart from You.