The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Thursday, January 14, 2016

The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Thursday, January 14, 2016

Meditation: Mark 1:40 A man afflicted with tzara‘at came to Yeshua and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, Yeshua reached out his hand, touched him and said to him, “I am willing! Be cleansed!” 42 Instantly the tzara‘at left him, and he was cleansed. 43 Yeshua sent him away with this stern warning: 44 “See to it that you tell no one; instead, as a testimony to the people, go and let the cohen examine you, and offer for your cleansing what Moshe commanded.” 45 But he went out and began spreading the news, talking freely about it; so that Yeshua could no longer enter a town openly but stayed out in the country, where people continued coming to him from all around.
1st Week in Ordinary Time
He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything.” … The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.(Mark 1:44, 45)
In the early eighth century, St. Bede, an English monk, proposed a unique angle on today’s Gospel. Updated to contemporary style, Bede’s insight still feels fresh.
“Why did Jesus order this miraculous healing to be concealed? For we see that the man couldn’t contain himself, not even for an hour! The reason why Jesus ordered his action to be kept secret … was actually for us, today. It’s so that we could learn from his example: like Jesus, we too should yearn to remain concealed in the great things that we do. Yet, even though we’re reluctant, we should be brought to light for the good of other people.”
You can imagine the tension between two desires at work here. First is the desire to remain anonymous. Second is the desire to share an amazing spiritual accomplishment for the inspiration of the people around us. Both desires are holy, of course. But in today’s Gospel, the second one wins out.
What does that mean for us? For one, it means that we should try to imitate Jesus. He wasn’t searching for recognition. On the contrary, he actually hoped no one would find out about the miracle he had just performed. His motive was simply love, not the limelight.
On the other hand, when God’s work in our lives is brought to light, it can bring about tremendous good for other people. We might be hesitant to speak about specific ways that God is helping us to grow or how he’s moving through us. But testifying to his grace is often the holiest response we can make—especially if it goes against our personality!
One caution: as you share your story, make sure to emphasize God’s role in it. What you say may inspire someone to turn to the Lord. That’s how the people who heard about the leper’s healing responded. They went streaming out of their towns to find Jesus in the wilderness.
Yes, talking about yourself is a little risky. But sometimes, you should take the chance because the reward can be very sweet for the people around you.
“Lord, I am in need of healing. Reach out and give me your servant’s heart.” Amen!
1 Samuel 4:1 So the word of Sh’mu’el came to all Isra’el.

Isra’el went out to fight against the P’lishtim, setting up camp at Even-‘Ezer, while the P’lishtim camped at Afek. 2 The P’lishtim drew up in battle formation against Isra’el. The battle was fierce, and Isra’el was beaten by the P’lishtim — they killed about four thousand soldiers on the battlefield. 3 When the army had returned to camp, the leaders of Isra’el asked, “Why has Adonai defeated us today before the P’lishtim? Let’s bring the ark for the covenant of Adonai from Shiloh to us, so that he will come among us and save us from our enemies.” 4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark for the covenant of Adonai-Tzva’ot, who is present above the k’ruvim. The two sons of ‘Eli, Hofni and Pinchas, were there with the ark for the covenant of God.

5 When the ark for the covenant of Adonai entered the camp, all Isra’el gave a mighty shout that resounded through the land. 6 On hearing the shout, the P’lishtim asked, “What does this great shout in the Hebrews’ camp mean?” Then they realized that the ark of Adonai had arrived in the camp, 7 and the P’lishtim became afraid. They said, “God has entered the camp! We’re lost! There was no such thing yesterday or the day before. 8 We’re lost! Who will rescue us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods that completely overthrew the Egyptians in the desert. 9 Be strong; and behave like men, you P’lishtim; so that you won’t become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Behave like men, and fight!”

10 The P’lishtim fought, Isra’el was defeated, and every man fled to his tent. It was a terrible slaughter — 30,000 of Isra’el’s foot soldiers fell. 11 Moreover, the ark of God was captured; and the two sons of ‘Eli, Hofni and Pinchas, died.

Psalm 44:10 (9) Yet now you have thrust us aside and disgraced us;

you don’t march out with our armies.

11 (10) You make us retreat from the adversary,

and those who hate us plunder us at will.

14 (13) You make us an object for our neighbors to mock,

one of scorn and derision to those around us.

15 (14) You make us a byword among the nations;

the peoples jeer at us, shaking their heads.

24 (23) Wake up, Adonai! Why are you asleep?

Rouse yourself! Don’t thrust us off forever.

25 (24) Why are you turning your face away,

forgetting our pain and misery?

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