Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-29) - Jesus saves

Dearest Goddaughter,

There are times in our lives when we feel trapped, whatever it may be, just like Hannah and the man with an unclean spirit from today's readings. In the moment when they felt most lost, filled with hopelessness, they turned to God - Hannah in prayer and the man with an uncleaned spirit cried out to Jesus. God hears their cry and heals them both.

Jesus can save us if we turn to him in faith, hope, and love because he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I recently saw a meme that says: "In the Eucharist, Jesus heals us. In Adoration, Jesus holds us." Therefore, it is up to us to turn to Jesus and trust in his loving mercy. Sometimes this can be hard for us, especially when we are in despair, so let us practice by turning to Jesus in times of joy and giving him praise and thanks for the many blessings in our life. This way, we learn to talk with Jesus and nurture a relationship with our Savior so in times of distress, we can turn to him without any hesitation. Jesus saves.

Finally, when Jesus heals us, let us not forget him. The season of Christmas ended on the Lord's Epiphany (or Baptism of the Lord); however, that does not mean that we cannot carry the spirit of the Child Jesus in our hearts all year long. Let us reflect on what the Incarnation means to us in prayer, in what we do, and in my relationship with a God who loves us so much that He humbled Himself and became like us in all things but sin so that He can be close to us. Let us be close to him. Jesus saves.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: 1 Sm 1:9-20 and Mk 1:21-28 (below).

. . .

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, 

and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.

The people were astonished at his teaching,

for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;

he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

Have you come to destroy us?

I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” 

Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!”

The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

All were amazed and asked one another,

 “What is this?

A new teaching with authority.

He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.