Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Saturday, 24 January 2015

Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Saturday, 24 January 2015
Meditation - Mark 3: Jesus and the Ruler of Demons
20 Jesus went back home,[a] and once again such a large crowd gathered that there was no chance even to eat. 21 When Jesus' family heard what he was doing, they thought he was crazy and went to get him under control.[Footnotes:
3.20 went back home: Or “entered a house” (perhaps the home of Simon Peter).] 
Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Again the crowd gathered. (Mark 3:20)
It must have been very difficult for Jesus’ family to understand his behavior. He was almost constantly surrounded by crowds, getting into trouble with the Jewish leaders, and working and praying long into the night. This passage gives us just one more example of how hard Jesus worked. As he returned from the mountain with his newly-appointed apostles, he approached his house only to find another crowd assembled and waiting for him. Moved with compassion, he gave them his time and attention—he didn’t even take a break to eat!
Jesus’ family became concerned that he might not be using sound judgment. He might even have lost his mind! They were afraid that Jesus was not living a healthy, balanced life, but Jesus was concerned with the kingdom of God. He wanted nothing more than to care for everyone who came to him—so much so that he willingly risked the understanding of his family.
Just as Jesus was not put off by the crowds who gathered outside his house, he is not put off when we come to him with our weaknesses, no matter how often we come to him. He doesn’t reject us, but embraces our weaknesses. He took on our flesh and blood so that he could heal us. His true family are all those who come to him with faith, believing that he has come from the Father to save us from sin and darkness.
We are coming to the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The hope of unity with other Christians can seem dim to us today, no more than a distant dream. But still we must pray. Still we must believe that we will find the answers to our divisions when we look deep into Christ’s heart and ask him to free us from the attitudes and opinions that keep us separated. Only by coming to Jesus as the crowds did can we grow in our understanding of his intentions and be led into deeper unity.
“Father, teach us to draw near to Jesus, who has become one with us. Help us to walk in a spirit of compassion, forbearance, and unity with our Christian brothers and sisters until we see you face-to-face.” Amen!
Hebrews 9:2 The first part of the tent was called the holy place, and a lampstand, a table, and the sacred loaves of bread were kept there.
3 Behind the curtain was the most holy place.
11 Christ came as the high priest of the good things that are now here.[a] He also went into a much better tent that wasn’t made by humans and that doesn’t belong to this world. 12 Then Christ went once for all into the most holy place and freed us from sin forever. He did this by offering his own blood instead of the blood of goats and bulls.
13 According to the Law of Moses, those people who become unclean are not fit to worship God. Yet they will be considered clean, if they are sprinkled with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a sacrificed calf. 14 But Christ was sinless, and he offered himself as an eternal and spiritual sacrifice to God. That’s why his blood is much more powerful and makes our[b] consciences clear. Now we can serve the living God and no longer do things that lead to death.[Footnotes:
9.11 that are now here: Some manuscripts have “that were coming.”
9.14 our: Some manuscripts have “your,” and others have “their.”]
Psalms 47:2 The Lord Most High is fearsome,
    the ruler of all the earth.
3 God has put every nation
    under our power,
6 Sing praises to God our King,
7     the ruler of all the earth!
    Praise God with songs.
8 God rules the nations
    from his sacred throne.
9 Their leaders come together
    and are now the people
    of Abraham’s God.
All rulers on earth
surrender their weapons,
    and God is greatly praised!
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