THE MEMORIAL OF ST JOHN NEUMANN, BISHOP.
Jesus went about "curing every disease and illness among the people."
THE GOSPEL:
"When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.
"From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
"He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.
His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them.
And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him." (Matthew 4: 12 - 17, 23 - 25).
Monday 5th January 2026 in the Season of Christmas is the feast of St John Neumann, Bishop.
Today is the feast of a great missionary priest, Bishop, Church planter, pioneer in the Catholic Schools system in USA. His name is St John Neumann (1811 - 1860).
St John Neumann was born in Bohemia. He became a Redemptorist priest. He became the Bishop of Philadelphia. Worn out by his labors, John died at the age of 49.
Here are three memorable quotes from St John Neumann:
On personal mission and providence:
“Everyone who breathes, high and low, educated and ignorant, young and old, man and woman, has a mission, has a work.”
On abandonment to the divine will:
“Deprive me of everything, my God, but not of the desire to unite my will to your will in perfect resignation!”
On love for Christ in the Eucharist:
“How much do I love You, O my Jesus! I wish to love You with my whole heart, yet I do not love You enough. I have but one desire, that of being near You in the Blessed Sacrament.”
The highlight of our Gospel of today for me is:
"Jesus went about "curing every disease and illness among the people."
"Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins; he has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of" (CCC 1505).
I like a lot stories of healing in the Bible and I enjoy testimonies of healing by ordinary people. I myself have benefitted from many healings in my life. I pray for healing every day.
I believe too in Divine Providence. I believe that certain physical, mental or bodily conditions are there for a purpose.
Talk to God and find out what is part of your DNA and what is not.
Ask for healing in the Mighty Name of Jesus. A Name we honor every single day in the Month of January.
The Name of Jesus is a Promise. The Name of Jesus is full Prayer. The Name of Jesus is Power.
Honor the Name of Jesus in January.
The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January.
For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:
