Be Merciful

Be Merciful

“Is it against the law on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life or to kill?’  But they said nothing.  Then, grieved to find them so obstinate, he looked angrily round at them, and said, to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’  He stretched it out and his hand was better.”  (Mark 3: 4 – 5)

The above passage evokes these associations:

• “What I want is mercy and compassion and not sacrifice.”


• “A sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me.”


• “The Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath.”


• “What I want is love and knowledge of God.”

To please God, we must understand the things that are nearest to his heart.  When we take the spirit out of the law, we find that the letter of the law can be very harsh.  Mercy, love and compassion are nearer the heart of God than strict observance of the law.  

Lord, teach me to be merciful in applying the law.

The Sabbath was made for man

The Sabbath was made for man

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; so the son of man is master even of the Sabbath.”  (Mark 2: 27)

Under a particular circumstance, David ate sacred bread which he was not supposed to eat.  His motive was the preservation of life.  This was not considered as sin.  The disciples who picked ears of corn on a Sabbath when Jesus was with them were not considered to have done any wrong.  Jesus said that he made the Sabbath and the law about it.  So he knows when the Sabbath is infringed.  Christ healed the paralytic on the Sabbath.

God’s wisdom, knowledge and motives are impenetrable to man.  This is why he reserves judgment and condemnation to himself alone.

The Bridegroom

The Bridegroom

“Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of fasting while the bridegroom is still with them?  As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting.” (Mark 2: 19)

Jesus defends his disciples from the attacks of the Pharisees.  I recall how he is concerned for their welfare.  “Come, let us go to a quiet place and get some rest”; “Come and have breakfast”; “Peace be with you”.  It is obvious that Jesus cares very much for the men he has chosen to be with him.

How about me?  I believe that Christ has called me to a life of friendship and companionship with him.  He wants me to trust him completely with all my cares, my desires and my plans.  He promises to take care of them for me.  Lord Jesus, I feel delighted by this inspiration and I thank you for it.  I know I can trust you.  Thank you for my faith.  I have made up my mind to trust you completely with the Enterprise.  I let go and let you, dearest Jesus.  Fill me with faith in your guidance.  Teach me how to grow through this unique opportunity.  In all things, let me know your will and give me the courage to do it.  Amen!

O Happy Fault!

O Happy Fault!

“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’  When Jesus heard this he said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick.  I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.”  (Mark 2: 17)

“Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!  Bless the Lord, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God, who pardons all your sins and heals all your ills.”  (Psalm 103: 1-3).  Yes indeed, Jesus came to call sinners and not the just.  He came to bring health to the sick.   My misfortunes have brought me a Savior.  O happy fault!

How do I appropriate more fully the promises of Jesus in Mark 2: 17?  I confess my sins to God.  I partake of the sacrament of reconciliation.  I become aware that I am now a friend of Jesus and I do what is right.  I affirm always that by his stripes I am healed.  I look to Jesus to provide me good health and maintain it.  I do the right thing with regard to my health.  I eat sensibly, rest well and exercise properly.

Now that these gifts are mine, I teach them to others and help them appropriate them.  

Get Up and Follow Me

Get Up and Follow Me

“He went out again to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them.  As he was walking on, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus, sitting by the custom’s house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’  And he got up and followed him.”  (Mark 2: 13 – 14)

Levi also called Matthew in the Gospels is a tax collector.  He was like the local internal revenue agent.  One skill he must possess is that of record keeping and writing reports.  These are the skills that would be very important in the kingdom project that Jesus Christ has just inaugurated.  Jesus asked Levi to quit his job and use his skills for a higher calling.

We are all called to follow Jesus and serve him with all our time, talent and treasure.  But not everybody is called to leave everything behind and follow him more closely.  How can we serve Christ more completely in our non religious professions?  When we do everything for Jesus at home and at work, we can say that we respond to his call to “get up and follow him.”  

Thank you Jesus for your love and mercy

Thank you Jesus for your love and mercy

“Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts?  Which of these is easier?  To say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, “get up, pick up your stretcher and walk?’  But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘I order you:  get up, pick up your stretcher and go off home.”  (Mark 2: 9 – 12)

Thank you Jesus.  Thank you for this beautiful incidence.  Lord Jesus, my soul praises you and I will never forget how kind you are.  Is it not you who forgave all my sins?  Did you not heal all my diseases?  You kept me from the grave and blessed me with love and mercy.  You fill my life with good things and renew my youth like an eagle.  I thank you with all my heart for your kindness and mercy to me.  Now that I am aware of all that you do for me, Lord help me to respond in act and not just in words.  O Prince of Peace, I love you.  I love you above all things.  May I grow in your love this very day.  Help me to share this love with others.  Amen!

Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence

Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence

“A leper came to him and pleaded on his knees:  ‘if you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’  Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him.  ‘Of course I want to!’ he said.  ‘Be cured!’  And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured.”  (Mark 1: 40 – 42)

Scripture teaches and encourages us.  I see here a humble leper who did not appear confident that he deserved anything from Jesus.  But Christ’s words were most reassuring.  “Of course I want to!”  It teaches me that nobody has a monopoly over God’s benevolence.  We are all his children.  It also reminds me of the text that urges us to approach God’s throne of grace with faith and confidence.  The leper has faith but little confidence.

I know that God can do anything for me.  I believe that he can heal and change circumstances this very moment.  Do I have the confidence that if I ask him, he will do it?  Lord Jesus, all I can say truthfully is that I am growing in this confidence as I know you better everyday.  Lord, increase my faith and my confidence in you.

Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence

Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence

“A leper came to him and pleaded on his knees:  ‘if you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’  Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him.  ‘Of course I want to!’ he said.  ‘Be cured!’  And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured.”  (Mark 1: 40 – 42)

Scripture teaches and encourages us.  I see here a humble leper who did not appear confident that he deserved anything from Jesus.  But Christ’s words were most reassuring.  “Of course I want to!”  It teaches me that nobody has a monopoly over God’s benevolence.  We are all his children.  It also reminds me of the text that urges us to approach God’s throne of grace with faith and confidence.  The leper has faith but little confidence.

I know that God can do anything for me.  I believe that he can heal and change circumstances this very moment.  Do I have the confidence that if I ask him, he will do it?  Lord Jesus, all I can say truthfully is that I am growing in this confidence as I know you better everyday.  Lord, increase my faith and my confidence in you.