The Bitterness of Sinfulness

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Consideration: We are to be the seasoning for every season; to let our light shine upon the darkness. We are the light of the world and spice that enhances and satisfies those living through the bitterness of sinfulness.

Like Sheep Without a Shepherd

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in a boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Lord Jesus, sometimes we get tired from the day-to-day struggle. We long for a place of quiet and solitude to relax and rewind. It is there, Lord, where we rest in your peace. We pray that in these times you will come to accompany us and speak to our hearts and to refresh us anew. Amen.  

Jeus Sends the Twelve

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick - no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Lord Jesus, this was the beginning of you blessing the disciples with a mission. You sent them out in teams of two with strict instructions on how they were to carry out your command. 

Help us, Lord, to listen with our hearts when you wish to use us to accomplish the tasks that we may be sent to do by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Amen. 

The Son of Mary

And he went out of there; and he came into his own country; and his disciples followed him. And when the sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue; and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Where did this man get these things? What kind of wisdom is given to this man, and mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joseph, and Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own native place, among his own kin, and in his own house." He could not do any mighty works there, apart from that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. He was amazed at their unbelief. He went about the villages teaching.

"Talitha Koum"

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." He went off with him and a large crowd followed him. 

While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?" Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; Just have faith." He did not let anyone accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha Koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The girl, a child of the twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Lord Jesus, death itself has no power over you. Filled with love and compassion, you told Jairus not to be afraid and to have faith. You then entered room where the child was; took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha Koum," "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" And the child arose immediately.

Blessed be our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen.

The Unclean Spirit

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!" (He had been saying to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!") He asked him, "What is you name?" He replied, "Legion is my name. There are many of us." And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from the territory. 
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Consideration: The unclean spirit was very strong and could not be contained. The moment it caught sight of Jesus, it ran up and prostrated himself and identified Jesus as the Son of the Most High God. His name was Legion, the mouthpiece of a multitude of demons within him. He understood the power was Jesus, not the evil demon spirit he served...the devil.

The Word 0f Life

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven will be great."

Lord Jesus, you have the words of everlasting life. You feed us with your Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity to nourish us to be strong. You feed us with your words so that they reside in our hearts and the depth of our souls to lead us on the Way the Truth, and the Life. Amen.