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Being rational and free, human beings are capable of being diabolic. This is a feat which no animal can duplicate, for no animal is sufficiently clever, sufficiently purposeful, sufficiently strong-willed or sufficiently moral to be evil. (We should note that, to be diabolic on the grand scale, one must, like Milton's Satan, exhibit in a high degree all the moral virtues, except charity and wisdom.)
- Aldous Huxley, The Perennial Philosophy
(". . . except charity and wisdom." Pray to grow in these virtues.)
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1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20; Psalm 40:2 and 5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10
Mk 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.” —Mark 1:38
In some translations, the text of Mark 1:38 reads “For this purpose have I come” (see Mk 1:38, RNAB). The Greek text for the word translated “come” has the meaning “come out.” After a powerful day of miracles and preaching, Jesus rose early the next morning to go to a “lonely place in the desert” to pray in communion with His heavenly Father (Mk 1:35). It is from this place of deep communion with the Father
that Jesus comes out to minister with power and authority.
Likewise, we disciples of Christ, who imitate Jesus in His character and ministry, must fuel our mission with a deep prayer life (see 1 Thes 5:17). Communion with the Lord is our daily fuel, most especially in the Mass with the food of the Eucharist and the Word of God. We sit at the Lord’s feet and listen for His voice, as did Mary of Bethany (Lk 10:39, 42). Then we “come out” of this encounter with the Lord
refreshed and renewed for His service.
Are you weary or discouraged? Are you out of ideas and out of energy? Each day, go to the Lord, whether early in the morning (Mk 1:35) or late at night (1 Sm 3:3ff). Then you will be able to come out from the Father with His grace and power.
Prayer: Father, may I live for my daily prayer time with You. Then may others live from the grace that flows from our mutual time together. “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening” (1 Sm 3:9).
Presentation Ministries
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Growing in Inner Freedom: A Guide for Today
- by Philip St. Romain. Liguori Publ., 1986.
23. Control Your Tongue
“I assure you, on judgment day people will be held accountable for every unguarded word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned”
(Matthew 12:36-37).
Words are not just innocent, meaningless sounds uttered by human beings; they are symbols through which we communicate the meaning of our lives. More importantly, words shape the way we perceive reality; an educated person is more able to comprehend the many subtle shades of life experiences than is a person of limited linguistic skills. Thus did the Word of God become Flesh—that God might communicate
God's meaning to us and give new shape to our human experiences. This, too, is the meaning of the sobering warning about words issued by Jesus in the above quotation.
The words upon which we meditate determine our attitudes and feelings; the words we speak determine the quality of our experiences and relationships. Thoughts filled with self-concern will produce anger and fear, and every profanity kills something of the “Praise God!” within us. Learning to discipline the words we meditate upon and the words we speak is a key to lasting freedom and happiness. As Saint James put it, “If one is without fault in speech, that one is human in the
fullest sense, because he or she can control their entire being” (James 3:2).
So, watch what you say. . . even what you think. It makes a difference!
Suggested Practices
- Meditate daily on the Word of God to fill your heart with a reservoir of living words.
- Refrain from misusing God’s name, gossiping, criticizing, and speaking negatively about anyone or anything.
- Say “yes” if you mean “yes,” and “no” if you mean “no.” Say what you mean without exaggeration or fanfare.
- When uncertain about what to say, ask yourself: “Will these words build up or tear down?
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