Bible
Study: Hebrews 2, 14 to 18 and Mark 1, 29 to 39.
When the
mass ends, the priest usually says: “Go in peace” or “Go forth” or “Glorify the
Lord by your life.” Whichever formula, the priest adopts, the point we must get
is that at each mass, we are sent out into the world as missionaries. We do not
just come to attend Church and go back the same way. Like servants, we have
come to mass to receive instructions and gifts from our Master and those things
are not meant for us alone but for all those to whom we go out to meet.
A clear
example of this is what we see in Mark 1:29 and following. When Jesus left the
synagogue, he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Jesus
had just left the Church and he knew he was carrying certain spiritual
treasures with him. So when he noticed Simon’s mother-in-law sick with a fever,
he went straight to lay his hands on her. Jesus reached out to a sick woman
just after he left the synagogue.
As
children of God, when we leave the Church, we are to realize that our time in
the Church was a time of spiritual impartation. We carry something with us when
we leave, something we cannot see physically yet it is real. More still, we
even receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We should never assume we are
empty. We should consciously take what we have received and reached out to the
sick; those who cannot come to church; those who do not yet believe in God;
those who are passing through some difficulty or another. We must carry the
Jesus in us to them. With faith, we can lay our hands on people, talk to them,
preach to them and we would be surprised at the outcome.
A born
again Christian who never reaches out to others is a Christian who is ignorant
of what he or she has within. That evening, the whole city was gathered at the
door of Peter’s house and Jesus did not turn anyone away. He healed many who
were sick and cast out many demons. Very early in the morning, Jesus went to a
lonely place to pray, that is, to refuel. This is one reason why daily masses
are very important for growth in the spiritual life. And guess what Jesus’
response was when they found him? “Let us go on to the next towns that I may
preach there also…”
To preach
is to reach and reaching out is a sign that we know who and what we are as born
again children of God. Never be afraid of reaching out because you have Jesus
on your side who as the book of Hebrews says “is able to help those who are
tempted because he himself has suffered and been tempted.” Heb. 2:18.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, make me conscious of your presence within me always. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you.
Fr. Abu.
No comments:
Post a Comment