Wednesday, 10 January 2006

Wednesday of the First Week of the Year

Mark 1: 29-39

Time and again the Scriptures tell of Jesus’ healing power, and His miraculous cures. In today’s Gospel, Jesus cures Simon’s mother-in-law, who was sick with a fever. Jesus’ ministry brought healing, peace and relief to many people. Through the ministry of the Church, the presence of Jesus is continually made present to us. Jesus forgives our sins and brings healing and consolation through the sacramental and pastoral work of the Church’s priests. In the ministry of the priest, Jesus is present. His saving work continues even now, in our midst, in the daily work of all the Church’s ministers. The scene presented to us in today’s Gospel – Jesus travelling with the Apostles throughout Galilee, healing, preaching, and teaching – is re-created in hospitals, confessionals, and schools throughout the world, where Jesus is present in the ministry of the Church.
In today’s Gospel, we find the source of Jesus’ strength for His ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing. We hear that Jesus rose early before dawn and went off to a deserted place to pray. In this moment of solitude and communion with His Heavenly Father, Jesus gained the strength to minister. After He prayed, He was energized to continue the journey to even more villages, and to continue preaching and healing.
So it is for the Church. The Church is strengthened and refreshed for her ministry by the daily celebration of the Mass, the constant praying of the Liturgy of the Hours, and the personal prayer of every priest, religious sister and brother, and lay Catholic. Prayer – both liturgical and personal– is the fountain of life for the Church.
For each of us personally, prayer can be the source of our inner strength. The holiest, happiest, and most successful people I have met, are those who make the celebration of the Mass and prayer a priority in their lives. Of that I am sure. One of my dearest friends spends an hour each day praying before the Tabernacle, and the grace she receives in prayer shines forth in her life.
Jesus left us an example to follow: take time often, away from the crowds and noise of the world, to rest quietly with the Lord. In prayer with Jesus you will find the strength to go on living your own vocation with renewed intensity.