Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Mark 1:21-28

“Quiet!” (Mark 1:25)

Today’s Gospel warns us to be on guard because evil spirits are con­stantly at work tempting us and harassing us. This warning is even more urgent today, as the world has practically dismissed the reality of evil spirits.

Evil spirits are always on the prowl. They whisper lies and half-truths to us and try to confuse us. They try to influence us to do things we know are wrong—even things we don’t want to do. We have all felt their influence at different times. We know how they have tried to sow division, to make us fearful, to get us down on ourselves, to lie, to manip­ulate people, or to doubt God’s love.

Yes, we have a free will. Yes, we make the final choices for our lives. But these choices are never made in isolation. They are always influ­enced by the people around us, by the media, by the Holy Spirit, and by Satan.

All this may sound intimidating, but we shouldn’t be afraid. Jesus overcame one evil spirit in today’s Gospel, and he overcame them all on the cross. We just have to be more alert to what is coming into our minds, especially more alert to the devil’s tactics.

Another thing we can do is begin every day by praying for protection against evil spirits. All we have to do is say the words that Jesus taught us: “Father, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Finally, we should believe in the power of the name of Jesus. Scripture tells us how St. Paul, in dealing with an evil spirit that was harassing a woman, commanded: “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And the spirit left immediately (Acts 16:18). Likewise, we need to call on the name of Jesus throughout the day, especially when we are feeling tempted or harassed.

“In the name of Jesus, I command all evil spirits to be quiet and to depart from me and from every member of my family. Lord, deliver us from the lies of the evil one and help us to be ever more alert.”

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

(Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 95:1-2,6-9; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Mark 1:21-28)

1. In the reading from Deuteronomy, God tells the people of Israel that he will raise up a prophet from among them. He goes on to warn them with these words, “Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it.” We know that this passage was ultimately fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. How seriously do you take the words of Jesus when they require you to do something, or give up something, you don’t want to. What are some of the excuses you make for not doing what you know the Lord is asking of you? How can you overcome these excuses?

2. The responsorial psalm continues the theme of the first reading by exhorting us to hear the voice of the Lord and warning us not to harden our hearts. How would you describe the obstacles in your life that can harden your heart from following the Lord?

3. Although St. Paul tells us in the second reading to be “free of anxieties,” he also tells us to be “anxious for the things of the Lord.” What are the “things of the Lord” that should make you “anxious” to please him?

4. In the Gospel, Jesus not only taught with authority, but he also healed and delivered the man with an unclean spirit with that same authority. The reaction to Jesus was that the people were “amazed”. Were you ever “amazed” by Jesus’ healing touch on your life or on someone else? What was it that amazed you?

5. To help in our battle against the attacks of the Evil One, the meditation recommends that we “begin every day by praying for protection against evil spirits. All we have to do is say the words that Jesus taught us: ‘Father, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’” Are you willing to try this? If not, why not? What do you expect the results to be?

6. Take some time now to pray against any evil spirits that may be coming against you. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. — Psalm 95:8

Mass Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 / 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 / Mark 1:21-28
Fascinated with the Future?

The “futures market” isn’t just about finances. There has always been, and continues to be, interest, even fascination, in knowing the future. Palm reading, astrology, and crystal balls never stop being popular. And when the Bible says “prophet,” many people think of someone who can predict the future.

In today’s first reading, God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses. What was Moses’ primary role? Not foretelling the future, but forth-telling (speaking) God’s Word into the present situation. That’s the primary role of a biblical prophet. One of my favorite hymns says, “I know who holds the future, and I know He holds my hand.” As a Christian, does my strength and security come from knowing the future or from knowing the Lord who holds me, and my future, in the palm of His hand?

Prayer: Rock of Ages, let me always seek strength, shelter, solace and security in You.

Courtesy of Our Sunday Visitor: http://www.osv.com/MyDailyVisitor/tabid/7626/Default.aspx

~Ben Franklin

Gospel: (Mark 1:21-28)

Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. The people were spellbound by his teaching because he taught with authority and not like the scribes. There appeared in the synagogue a man with an unclean spirit that shrieked: “What do you want of us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him sharply: “Be quiet! Come out of the man!” At that the unclean spirit convulsed the man violently and with a loud shriek came out of him. All who looked were amazed. They began to ask one another: “What does this mean? A completely new teaching in a spirit of authority! He gives orders to unclean spirits and they obey him!” From that point on his reputation spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Reflection:

From that point on, they “remembered” and told the story and “his reputation spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.” “Remember” is a word that is often on our lips when we pray and when we speak to our friends. Sometimes we also feel ourselves to be better people when we remember the goodness of others to us, their generosity, their unselfishness, their tenderness, their thoughtfulness. This word “remember” is important, for Jesus has also done great things for us.

Vincentian Meditation:

The little word “remember” is at the heart of our greatest prayer, the Mass. The Mass is the great prayer in which along with Jesus we ask God the Father to remember the life, sufferings, death and resurrection of His only Son. Christians gather together and offer Mass, renewing again and again the great act of “remembering,” while at the same time making present again the offering that Jesus made of Himself on the cross. In doing so, we are bringing down upon the entire world, whether it know it or not, an uncountable number of graces, favors and blessings. Every day we hear some frightening things about the cruelty and wickedness of men. What would the world be like if it did not have the Sacrifice of the Mass? Always remember that there is no grace, no joy, no good thing in this world that has not come to us through Jesus Christ. (McCullen, Deep Down Things, p.587-588)

Discussion: (Share your thoughts after a moment of silence)

Remember and share some stories of the “great things that Jesus has done for you.”

Closing Prayer:
Christ, healer of hearts,
-teach us compassion for others.
Christ, maker of peace,
-help us bring peace to all people.
Christ, the light of life,
-show us the path of life. Amen

Saint Vincent de Paul

Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Mark 4:35-41

“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38)

Imagine yourself as one of Jesus’ disciples. You have met this man who preaches with authority, heals sick people, and even raises the dead. Wonderful things just seem to sprout up wherever he goes. Then one night you go out on a boat with him. He falls asleep, and a power­ful storm starts to lash the boat. The waves are high and swift. The boat rocks, and you start taking on water. You are a fisherman, familiar with the sea and its moods, but this storm is so severe that you begin to panic. You can think of nothing but getting to shore.

What happened to your faith? Here you are with a wonder-working Messiah, and the only voice in your brain is one of fear and anxiety.

On one hand, the disciples’ ques­tion “Do you not care?” makes sense. Here they are, facing a life-threatening danger, and Jesus seems oblivious to their peril. Maybe he doesn’t care. But on the other hand, the question is very illogical. Yes, Jesus is asleep. Yes, the situation looks treacherous. But this is Jesus. This is the man who has shown, over and over again, that he can sus­pend the laws of nature. This is the man who has shown, over and over again, that he is full of mercy and compassion. Of course he cares! It’s not a question of “if” he will help them. It’s a question of “when” and “how.”

We have all been in situations that raise the panic level in our hearts. We see nothing but trou­ble, and we want only to get out as quickly as possible. It’s at times like these that we need to remem­ber that Jesus is with us. He may seem asleep. He may seem oblivi­ous to the tempest swirling around us. But this is Jesus, and he sees our need—and he cares deeply.

Today’s passage tells us that faith is not a matter of feelings. It’s a matter of trust, memory, and logic. If we can learn to keep our minds fixed on Jesus and his truths, we will find all the faith—and peace—we will ever need.

“Jesus, you know how frightening the storms of life can get. Help me to see you in the midst of them. Deepen my faith so that, even when you seem distant, I can still trust you to keep me safe.”

2 Samuel 12:1-7,10-17; Psalm 51:12-17

Create a clean heart in me, O God. — Psalm 51:12

Mass Readings: 2 Samuel 12:1-7,10-17 / Mark 4:35-41
Stillness Amid Storms

The disciples had witnessed the amazing works of Jesus and listened to Him speak with great authority. But in today’s Gospel, winds and waves seem to speak more powerfully than their Master’s words. Faith is tossed overboard, as they allow a passing storm to cloud their experience of both the love and power of Christ.

We all experience storms — sickness, financial crisis, difficult relationships, and so on. We pray for God to still these storms but our greatest need is the calming of the storm within our hearts. True faith is trusting that God is both caring and in control regardless of whether and when the storm dies down. True faith trusts even while it still rages. And surely, isn’t to endure a storm with our faith intact a greater wonder than to simply have the storm stilled?

Prayer: In stormy times, Lord, help me to be still and know that You are God.

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~Roy Croft

Judy Wilhelm