and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
Jesus rebuked him and said,
"Quiet! Come out of him!"
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
"What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him."
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
REFLECTION
"I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
His fame spread.
I once knew a lovely lady who followed her minister from California to Texas. He was a televangelist. She spoke about God but her speech got more animated when she spoke of her pastor's preaching and all the good promised her. Her pastor had a convincing zeal. He was quite wealthy!
Were people aware of Jesus and drawn to Him because of the miracles performed or His preaching? Were they expecting more? Did they believe His claims?
There are no short cuts to loving Jesus. The crowds are aware of Jesus but how do they know who He is? We know what He has done so far but who is He? He has been accused of being Beelzebub, of breaking the Sabbath, claiming the Kingdom of God is at hand and that God is His Father. His own family thought He was out of His mind.
He does not live in a fancy home. In fact His home now is the Tabernacle or in Adoration the Monstrance but He also resides in our souls if we invite Him. He does not promise prosperity but a life of suffering and sacrifice with eternal glory as a reward. Will we recognize Him in His scarred face and hands?
PAPA prays for priests. Some are gifted scholars, writing volumes to catechize and teach. Some preach on TV. Others prepare daily homilies, teach, attend Church committees, and are available 24/7 for emergencies. They are far from their family, have to deal with complaints of parishioners, and continue with a prayerful life so as not to lose sight of God. In all they do, there is sacrifice.
All their years of seminary, schooling and sacrificing their comforts have prepared them to bring Jesus to their homes and therefore their parish.
Many priests are cancelled, forbidden to preach against homosexuality, against abortion or an immoral lifestyle. Some people do not want to hear that we cannot do what we want with our bodies. In all these things today, we offend God who made us in His image.
More priests are retiring than are ordained. One priest in Texas says 5 Sunday masses and has not taken vacation because he does not have a parochial vicar.
Please join PAPA (Priest Always Prayer Apostolate) and help us pray for our priests to be the best and for their successful sowing of the seed of God. Pray we have good priests leading more souls to heaven.
Comments