Let us thank God for the blessed rest of Sunday

"Jesus 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."  (Mark 6: 31)

Sunday is God's great gift to humanity.  Let us thank God for the gift of Sunday.  As we enjoy the blessed rest of Sunday every week, we prepare to transition from Sunday rest to eternal rest.  As we worship God on Sunday, our faith in heaven grows.  As our faith in heaven grows so does our desire to please in everything.

Don't grow weary of Jesus

"But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance."  (Luke 8: 15)

"Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.
So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all,h but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith."  (Galatians 6: 9 - 10)

Is it possible to get weary of Jesus?  The answer is yes if we do not nurture the relationship.  On His part, Jesus is always present and trustworthy.  We can be sure that He always does His own part of the equation.  Jesus does not force us to do own part of the relationship.  We have our free will.  A mutually loving relationship is nurtured through constant communication.

For the Christian, the path of growth in relationship with Jesus may pass through daily prayer, daily reading of the word of God, frequent Communion, faith sharing and others.  Love seeks the maximum and not the minimum practice.

Trust in Jesus with all your heart

"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."  (Mark 6: 8 -9)

How do we grow in trusting God?  In Mark 6: 8 - 9, we see Jesus training His disciples to learn to rely on their hidden source of supply.   The alternative is to encumber themselves with unnecessary baggage.  Our faith is put on spot when we have to trust Jesus to deliver on His promises.  The promises of Jesus is unerring and fire-tried.  How about our trust?  Here lies the problem.  God makes it easy to trust Him by helping us with His instructions:
"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."  (Mark 6: 8 -9)

I confess my faults to the Lord

"David answered Gad: “I am greatly distressed. But let us fall into the hand of God, whose mercy is great, rather than into human hands.”  (2 Samuel 24: 14)

David, faced with a most distressing situation falls back on his knowledge of God.  He knows that God is most merciful.  He knows that he can rely on this mercy.  If David's knowledge of God comes to his rescue at the moment of his greatest need, what we know about God can save us from great distress at the moment of our greatest need.

Cultivate your knowledge of God through prayer and the word of God.

We overcome by faith

"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith."  (Mark 5: 366)

Fear is useless.  All that is needed is trust.

Jesus wants us to trust Him completely in everything, always and everywhere.  But how do you trust Jesus in anything?  You trust that He will do what He promises to do in His word.  You trust that He has the power to accomplish anything that He wills.  You trust in His love and mercy for you.  You trust that Jesus knows what is best for you.

To maintain and grow your faith in Jesus, pray always.  Read the word of God everyday.

"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith."  (Mark 5: 366)

Disregarding the doctor's report...
Disregarding the empty bank account...
Disregarding the teacher's evaluation of your child...
Disregarding the supervisor's evaluation and the pink slip..
Disregarding the empty pantry...

We walk by faith and  not by sight.  Sense evidence means nothing.  Only the word of God stands forever.

Go and tell what the Lord has done for you

“Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed."  (Mark 5: 19 - 20)

What I like about this story is how a man went from being possessed to being an evangelist.  In this narrative, we see the best content for evangelization.  When people are challenged to share their faith, you hear often:  "I don't know what to say"; 'I have not studied the faith or the catechism."  

Listen to what Jesus told the man who has just been set free from demonic possession:
“Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”  How did the man respond:  "Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed."

How then do we evangelize?  Start with your family and friends.  Share with them the simple touches of goodness you experience from the Lord during the day.  Don't wait for the big ticket items like being cured of cancer or winning a lottery.  During the day, we experience many blessings from the Lord such as.  A hot shower, a nice breakfast, the humble car that took you to work, a beautiful smile.  The strongest way to evangelize and may be your strongest act of witness to Jesus Christ is a constant joyful and cheerful expression.  Sooner or later people will  notice and ask what makes you bubble.  Be ready with your answer.