THE FEAST OF ST VINCENT SARAGOSSA, MARTYR.
THE FEAST OF ST VINCENT SARAGOSSA, DEACON & MARTYR.
"Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
"He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.
"And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known. (Mark 3: 7 - 12).
Thursday 23rd January 2025 in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Vincent Saragossa, Deacon, Martyr. (+ 304). Spanish. Vincent tried to shield his Bishop in the fierce persecution of Emperor Diocletian but in vain. St Vincent underwent one of the severest tortures in the history of martyrdom.
"He [Jesus] had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him," we read in today's Gospel.
What is it about illness and disease that affect human spirit so profoundly?
In the trial of Job (the Book of Job), Satan said to God:
"But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." (Job 2: 5 NIV).
When our flesh and bone are touched in illness, we truly become desperate and seek for healing everywhere at all cost.
Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, our bodies are subject to disease and illnesses. They become a football field for the demons. Illness and disease provide opportunities for demons to attack our minds.
The under-proclaimed Good News is: Jesus is still healing today. He is still healing body, mind and soul every day and everywhere.
The stories of healings in the Gospel are too many to gloss over.
Stand up. Be bold and claim your healing.
Why do we read in the first Reading today (Hebrews 7: 25, 8 - 6:
"Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them."
The word of God is true and cannot deceive us. Approach Jesus Christ with confident and expectant faith and wrestle with Him about your healing. Those who were healed in the Gospel were not healed by staying at home and dreaming how nice it would feel if Jesus healed them. They made effort to track down Jesus and when they caught up with Him, they fell to the ground, worshiped Him and plead for healing. Can you do the same?
The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January.
"Oh, the name of Jesus! There is power in that name to meet every condition of human need". (Smith Wigglesworth).
For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:
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