On A Mission

 

 Mk 1:29-39

Jesus Heals Many

²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰ Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. ³¹ So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

³² That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴ and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ³⁶ Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

It seems that at every turn someone was looking for a cure, or Jesus was preaching, even after sunset in the dark. How late did Jesus go? And yet he was up before sunrise to pray!  We think we are busy! The prayer component of his day was essential and to guarantee time for it, he rose early while the crowds (and maybe even the apostles) were still sleeping. We would have a hard time keeping up with him. Nevertheless, we too are on a mission and need an active and regular prayer life to accomplish it. We might have to rise before dawn for the needed prayer time to be effective during the day. We might have to eliminate some activities to get enough sleep and give us the needed prayer time. Both are necessary. With Lent a week and a half away, we might look at how we can make more time for quiet prayer as Jesus did.  

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to realize the need for prayer and sleep and help me to eliminate whatever interferes with finding time for them. Amen.