Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

JESUS CHRIST, Mediator, Healer

Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: I

Introduction

David’s victory over Goliath and the praise that the people gave him made Saul the reason to become very jealous of David. Saul’s son Jonathan, a close friend of David, pleads for him and can temporarily restrain Saul from harming David.

Gospel. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus’ ministry in Galilee is summarised. Yesterday, we heard how the Pharisees are blind to him and attack him on legal points; the crowds flock to him because of his healing power, not so much to be converted. The demons know who Jesus is, but, of course, they do not believe in him. Here, we have different attitudes, but no faith yet. This is why, perhaps, Mark imposes silence on the spirits. We offer this Eucharist together with Christ, our only Saviour and Mediator, who continually intercedes for us.

Opening Prayer

God, our Father,
through your Son, Jesus Christ,
you brought healing to your people
and came to bind us to you
in a lasting covenant of love.
May we not only admire his saving power
but accept him in faith as our brother,
your Son, our Lord and Savior.
Make him the ground and meaning of our lives
and fill us with his Holy Spirit,
that we may build up among us
your kingdom and a community
of faith, hope and love.
We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.

First Reading

1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7

When David and Saul approached
(on David’s return after slaying the Philistine),
women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul,
singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums.
The women played and sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.”

Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought:
“They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me.
All that remains for him is the kingship.”
And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David.

Saul discussed his intention of killing David
with his son Jonathan and with all his servants.
But Saul’s son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, told him:
“My father Saul is trying to kill you.
Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning;
get out of sight and remain in hiding.
I, however, will go out and stand beside my father
in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you.
If I learn anything, I will let you know.”

Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him:
“Let not your majesty sin against his servant David,
for he has committed no offense against you,
but has helped you very much by his deeds.
When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine,
and the LORD brought about a great victory
for all Israel through him,
you were glad to see it.
Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood
by killing David without cause?”
Saul heeded Jonathan’s plea and swore,
“As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.”
So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him.
Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13

R.   (5b) In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me;
all the day they press their attack against me.
My adversaries trample upon me all the day;
yes, many fight against me.
R.   In God I trust; I shall not fear.
My wanderings you have counted;
my tears are stored in your flask;
are they not recorded in your book?
Then do my enemies turn back,
when I call upon you.
R.   In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?
R.   In God I trust; I shall not fear.
I am bound, O God, by vows to you;
your thank offerings I will fulfill.
For you have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
R.   In God I trust; I shall not fear.

Alleluia Verse

2 Timothy 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mark 3:7-12

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.

Prayers of the Faithful

– That today many find Jesus and deeply believe in him, we pray:

– That Jesus may touch the hearts of many and heal them from their selfishness, we pray:

– That all the Churches that claim Christ as their head may find unity in him, even if the road is long and difficult, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

God our Father,
we offer you the sacrifice of Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord,
and our only mediator.
May he intercede for us, your people,
and bind us forever to you
in a covenant of lasting friendship and fidelity,
that we may belong to you
as the people you have saved
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

God our Father, in this Eucharist
your Son, Jesus, has brought before you
our prayers, our good intentions,

and also our weakness, our hesitant faith.
Yet, we are sure you accept us
because of him, our only priest and mediator.
Make our faith and love grow,
that your Son may be the Lord of our lives,
your saving presence,
and we your faithful people,
now and for ever.

Blessing

Many have heard about Jesus and his message. Yet, some do not believe. The way we live should confirm our faith, even though faith is a free gift, a grace from God. May Almighty God give you faith, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

REFLECTION:

Mark 3:7-12

Drawn by the Father, Strengthened for the Struggle

The Gospel speaks of a great multitude that followed Jesus with fervour and longing, drawn from far and wide. These people, moved by need, curiosity, or faith, journeyed to hear His words and seek healing. Their enthusiasm was not orchestrated; it was the Father who drew them to Jesus through the Holy Spirit. This same divine drawing is the heartbeat of every authentic Christian journey.

Jesus' response to the crowd reveals His tender heart. Seeing them as “sheep without a shepherd,” He is moved with compassion, healing and teaching with authority. But this encounter with Jesus is no mere moment of comfort; it marks the beginning of a deeper struggle.

The Gospel shows that the Christian life is a battlefield. While the Father draws us toward Jesus, the spirit of evil resists, waging war against our hearts. This conflict is inescapable for those who truly seek to follow Christ. As St. Paul reminds us, faith is a daily struggle, requiring vigilance, prayer, and the courage to reject the empire of sin. A life without temptations or inner conflict is not a Christian life but an illusion of complacency.

The unclean spirits tremble in God’s presence, yet they also work tirelessly to deter us from being drawn to Him. Do we feel this struggle in our hearts? Do we sense the pull of the Father and the resistance of evil? Do we believe that our lives move the heart of Jesus?

As pilgrims of hope, let us embrace the struggle with faith, knowing that Jesus fights alongside us. Father, draw me closer to Jesus each day. Strengthen me in the daily struggle and help me trust in Your love that never ceases to call me. Amen.

Drawn by the Father, Strengthened for the Struggle - Youtube

Mark 3: 7-12

The healing ministry

Today, we begin the week of prayer for Christian Unity. This week is traditionally observed from the 18th to the 25th of January – the octave of St. Peter and St. Paul. The theme for the 2024 Week of Prayer is based on a text from the Gospel of St Luke: “You shall love the Lord your God ... and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

Today’s gospel describes Jesus curing so many people that he was forced to climb into a boat to escape the throngs of people. Today, the Church continues to engage in this gracious healing ministry.

According to the Gospels, the Apostles of Jesus simply carried on what the Master had begun. Clearly, healing was one of the hallmarks of the Lord's ministry.Healings performed by Jesus are examples of this repairing of creation.

If you doubt that miracles of physical healing still take place in the life of the Church, open wide your eyes and observe the marvels the Lord keeps doing for us in evey moment of our lives. The Church also offers healing for the mind, the soul, the will, and the imagination. As a result of our sinful behaviors, we have suffered great damages, including broken minds, divided hearts, and addictions to passion. The Lord, through his Word and the Eucharist, looks at us with mercy and continues to touch us and heal us.

As we celebrate Christian Unity Week, let us pray, "God of welcome, grant us the grace to risk embracing the stranger, tending to their wounds and standing in solidarity with them. Strengthen our resolve to be kind and merciful and to act towards our sisters and brothers at all times as you do towards us, Amen!”

The healing ministry - youtube

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

DAY 5
One faith, one baptism.

Verse for the day
One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph 4:5).

Additional Scripture passages:
Zechariah 14:6-9; Psalm 100; Matthew 28:16-20

Reflection:
In Ephesians 4:5, the Apostle Paul emphasises that the act of baptism solidifies Christian unity by marking the entrance of individuals into the Church’s fellowship, affirming their shared commitment to the same Lord. Baptism creates the collective identity of the Church since we are one in the Body of the Lord. This sacrament serves as a powerful reminder that, while members may come from varied backgrounds, their unity in faith and baptism transcends all divisions. By focusing on these unifying elements, the Church can celebrate its diversity while remaining steadfastly united. This challenges us to prioritise our shared identity in Christ over our differences, reinforcing the bond that unites all Christians.

A question to consider:
What collaborative initiatives can our various communities undertake to celebrate our shared faith in Jesus Christ and the unity established through baptism?

Prayer
Spirit of God, and true God, who descended on the river Jordan, and into the upper room; who enlightened us by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we have sinned against Heaven and before you, purify us again with your divine fire, as you did the Apostles with fiery tongues. Have mercy on Your creatures and especially on us. Amen.St Nersess the Gracious (adapted)