The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Thursday, 28 May 2015

The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Thursday, 28 May 2015

Meditation: Mark 10:46 They came to Yericho; and as Yeshua was leaving Yericho with his talmidim and a great crowd, a blind beggar, Bar-Timai (son of Timai), was sitting by the side of the road. 47 When he heard that it was Yeshua from Natzeret, he started shouting, “Yeshua! Son of David! Have pity on me!” 48 Many people scolded him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the louder, “Son of David! Have pity on me!” 49 Yeshua stopped and said, “Call him over!” They called to the blind man, “Courage! Get up! He’s calling for you!” 50 Throwing down his blanket, he jumped up and came over to Yeshua. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” asked Yeshua. The blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me be able to see again.” 52 Yeshua said to him, “Go! Your trust has healed you.” Instantly he received his sight and followed him on the road.

8th Week in Ordinary Time

What do you want me to do for you? (Mark 10:51)

As Jesus leaves the city of Jericho, people are crowding around him, each one hoping to bend the Master’s ear to their specific needs. Yet in the midst of that clamor, Jesus hears the voice of Bartimaeus and stops. He calls him over and listens attentively to the blind man’s petition. Then Jesus heals him. Miraculous!

As you’re reading this, you can be certain there’s an enormous crowd around the globe praying, interceding, and worshipping before the Lord. But no matter how many voices, no matter how loud the entreaties, your voice has caught Jesus’ ear, and he is giving you his full, undivided attention. Listen as he asks you, “What do you want me to do for you?”

• Lord, I know you love me. But sometimes I can be so hard on myself that it’s difficult to accept this free love. I feel unworthy. Lord, I want to receive.
• Don’t worry. I am not disappointed in you, so why should you be? I am shining the light of my love upon you right now. Don’t shy away from it. Try to open yourself to it so that you can find your rest here. Become a child again, and just enjoy me as I pour my affection on you.
• Lord, I need your help to care for those I love most: my family. Make me into a channel of your love within my home.
• Every time you encounter a member of your family, look to me, and you will discover special grace for that encounter. I will give you the kindness you need and inspire you with ideas that can help bring you together. As you serve your family, remember to care for yourself by creating time spent alone with me.
• Lord, there are paths laid out in front of me, but I don’t know which one to take. I need your guidance.
• Seek me persistently over these next days and weeks. Listen as your friends speak wisdom into your life. Look for my nudges. Watch for me to speak to you through theScriptures. I will answer you as you yield to me in obedience. Then, in your good conscience, pursue the path, and I will be with you.
• “Hear my prayer, Lord. In your faithfulness, answer me.” Amen!

Sirach 42: The Works of God in Nature

15 I will now call to mind the works of the Lord,

    and will declare what I have seen.

By the word of the Lord his works are made;

    and all his creatures do his will.[a]

16 The sun looks down on everything with its light,

    and the work of the Lord is full of his glory.

17 The Lord has not empowered even his holy ones

    to recount all his marvelous works,

which the Lord the Almighty has established

    so that the universe may stand firm in his glory.

18 He searches out the abyss and the human heart;

    he understands their innermost secrets.

For the Most High knows all that may be known;

    he sees from of old the things that are to come.[b]

19 He discloses what has been and what is to be,

    and he reveals the traces of hidden things.

20 No thought escapes him,

    and nothing is hidden from him.

21 He has set in order the splendors of his wisdom;

    he is from all eternity one and the same.

Nothing can be added or taken away,

    and he needs no one to be his counselor.

22 How desirable are all his works,

    and how sparkling they are to see![c]

23 All these things live and remain forever;

    each creature is preserved to meet a particular need.[d]

24 All things come in pairs, one opposite the other,

    and he has made nothing incomplete.

25 Each supplements the virtues of the other.

    Who could ever tire of seeing his glory?[Footnotes:

Sirach 42:15 Syr Compare Heb: most Gk witnesses lack and all . . . will

Sirach 42:18 Heb: Gk he sees the sign(s) of the age

Sirach 42:22 Meaning of Gk uncertain

Sirach 42:23 Heb: Gk forever for every need, and all are obedient]

Psalm 33:2 Give thanks to Adonai with the lyre,

sing praises to him with a ten-stringed harp.

3 Sing to him a new song,

make music at your best among shouts of joy.

4 For the word of Adonai is true,

and all his work is trustworthy.

5 He loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of the grace of Adonai.

6 By the word of Adonai the heavens were made,

and their whole host by a breath from his mouth.

7 He collects the sea waters together in a heap;

he puts the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear Adonai!

Let all living in the world stand in awe of him.

9 For he spoke, and there it was;

he commanded, and there it stood.

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