Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Monday, 24 February 2014
- Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Mark 9: 14 Coming to the disciples, he saw a
great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them. 15 Immediately all
the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him
greeted him. 16 He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?”
17 One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my
son, who has a mute spirit; 18 and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down,
and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your
disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.”
19 He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be
with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”
20 They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the
spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the
mouth.
21 He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has
come to him?”
He said, “From childhood. 22 Often it has cast him both into the
fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have
compassion on us, and help us.”
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are
possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I
believe. Help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he
rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command
you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”
26 Having cried out, and convulsed greatly, it came out of him.
The boy became like one dead; so much that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27
But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.
28 When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him
privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” 29 He said to them, “This kind can
come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting.”
7th Week in Ordinary Time
This kind can only come out through prayer. (Mark 9:29)
Like noisy gulls screeching and squawking over picnic remains,
the disciples and the scribes argued. Possibly the contention centered on the
disciples’ inability to drive out demons or whether they even had the right to
try. Either way, the scene was messy. Try to picture grown men disputing with
one another, while a crowd forms and a father pleads frantically for help as an
evil spirit tosses his son about. It’s ugly and noisy—definitely not peaceable
or inspiring!
Then Jesus wades in. The mess doesn’t get in his way. He remains
focused on the one who is suffering, not the diversion caused by crowds and
controversies.
And that, in part, is why Jesus said prayer is necessary.
Through prayer, we put aside the noise of the world so that we can see more clearly
what needs to be done. When we come into contact with the Lord, we allow him to
influence us and guide us. We don’t get bogged down in distractions or needless
controversies.
Do you believe that this is possible for you? It is! You have
the Spirit in you, ready to give you his wisdom. You even have Jesus’ promise
that everyone who comes to him finds rest (Matthew 11:28). God has poured his
love into your heart through the Spirit, and he longs for you to encounter that
love in prayer.
It all begins in prayer, but it certainly doesn’t end there!
Prayer is not a moment of time with Jesus, followed by many more moments of
thinking and acting the same old way. Prayer is meant to change us so that we
think and act like Jesus. Prayer opens our eyes and makes us aware of things
that we used to overlook, like the suffering of the poor or the marginalizing
of those who don’t measure up to society’s standards. Prayer makes us more
loving and considerate.
In prayer, the Lord shows us how to live and how to love. So let
him quiet the noise around you. Come away with him, and listen. He has
something he wants to say to you today.
“Holy Spirit, fill me with your peace and gentleness. Help me
bear good fruit wherever I go today.” Amen!
James 3: 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his
good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you
have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t
lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above,
but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish
ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. 17 But the wisdom that is
from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and
good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Psalm 19: 8 Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart.
Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening
the eyes.
9 The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever.
Yahweh’s ordinances
are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine
gold;
sweeter also than honey
and the extract of the honeycomb.
15 Let the words of my mouth be acceptable,
the thoughts of my heart before you,
LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
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