Sisters and brothers in Christ, I am starting a book study on Jim Sano's novel - "Gus Busbi" - and, as preparation, I am reading the book right now. So far, it is a fascinating story and I cannot wait to share it with other men at the parish who will participate in the book study.
I bring this up because this verse from today's first reading reminded me of one of the characters in the book: ". . .free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life." When we do not believe that there is anything beyond this life, we have little hope and live life with the "YOLO" (you only live once) mentality that can be reckless and harmful to ourselves and those around us, like this one character in the novel. However, when our hope is in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - who is "a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people" - then we can live life with a purpose, of which is to be in eternal life with our Father in heaven.
Moreover, in today's Gospel, we read how busy Jesus' ministry kept him busy - teaching at the synagogue in the morning, healing Simon's mother and others well into the night - yet he always found time for prayer. . . "[rising] very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. . ." preparing himself for another day. Prayer strengthens us because, in our conversations with our heavenly Father, He reassures us of our worth and that He loves us and desires the best for us. This gives us hope even when the people around us might have already written us off, God never gives up on us. Never. So let us never give up on ourselves and turn to God in those times when we need to know that we are loved, that we have a purpose, and that we have worth.
. . .
Gospel of the Day
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.
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