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“After sunset, as evening drew on, they brought Him all who were ill, and those possessed by demons. Before long the whole town was gathered outside the door.” —Mark 1:32-33
Job faced reality head on and declared: “Life on earth” is “a drudgery” (Jb 7:1). He described life as being “assigned months of misery” (Jb 7:3). Nights are long; days are short (Jb 7:4, 6) and, when we reach the end of them, we are without hope (Jb 7:6).
The only Answer to the drudgery of human existence is Jesus. Jesus is the only Hope for humanity, but the only Hope we need. Jesus walks into the typical town filled with suffering, sick, and even demon-possessed people. He both announces the Good News and creates it. He begins by healing a woman with a fever, and before long He’s healed many sick people and driven out countless demons (Mk 1:31-34). It is Good News when Jesus comes to town. He turns a miserable little village into a paradise of health, happiness, and true freedom.
In transforming the village of Simon and Andrew, Jesus began by grasping the hand of Simon’s mother-in-law. A new life and a new town begins with someone putting a hand in Jesus’ hand. This is not just a handshake; it is expressing a total commitment to Jesus. We let go of everything we are holding on to for meaning and hope in life, and we hold on to Jesus, and only Jesus, for dear life. Then the Good News for ourselves and our town begins.
Prayer: Father, may I “move on to the neighboring villages so that I may proclaim the good news there also” (Mk 1:38).
Promise: “I do all that I do for the sake of the gospel in the hope of having a share in its blessings.” —1 Cor 9:23
Praise: “To the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, glory and might, forever and ever!” (Rv 5:13)
Reference: (This Lent, proclaim Jesus by using the Bible. For encouragement, order, listen to or download our series on Biblical Counseling on CD 13A-1, CD 13A-3, CD 13B-1 or DVD 13A and DVD 13B on our website.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 31, 2020"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.