Wednesday

3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday

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In today’s First Reading David wants to build a Temple for the Lord, the first Jewish Temple, and the Lord in return promises to build a dynasty that will usher in Israel’s peace and security for all eternity. The initiative to build the Temple was David’s alone: as the Lord explains today, he didn’t ask for it or expect it from David. We know we should not displease God, but we should also strive to please him. He has blessed us with freedom so that we can spontaneously please him. We can’t surprise him with our initiative, since he is all-knowing, but we can please him with our initiative.

Jesus, the Messiah descended from David, would be the King whose reign would usher in peace and security for all eternity. The way we build our lives is the way we build our eternity. If we build our lives in a way pleasing to God he will not be outdone in generosity and will build an eternity of happiness for us and for those we love. The Lord did not just reward David for his thoughtful gesture; he blessed Israel forever. We too, when we build our lives in a way that pleases God, don’t just gather blessings for ourselves, but for many. That desire to simply please God and win blessings for others, expecting nothing for ourselves, is the greatest expression of selflessness.

Let’s strive to make our life something we build in appreciation for all God has done for us, and for the sake of others. That’s the best way to please God.

Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4–17; Psalm 89:4–5, 27–30; Mark 4:1–20. See also 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday and Friday, and 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday.

2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday

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In today’s Gospel Our Lord is not just sizing up a political situation and reading body language and expressions: he is reading hearts, and he is saddened by their hardness. Today he encounters not just people who unknowingly and perhaps unwillingly work against him and his mission, but those who do so willingly and knowingly: the Pharisees. They don’t approve of what he is doing and they want to use it as something with which to accuse him and condemn him.

Mark simply tells us that Our Lord is angry and sad at their attitude. We can only guess at all the reasons running through his mind: the expectations he had of those who had been entrusted with watching over Israel, and seeing them simply acting as political agents trying to shore up their position against an apparent pretender to their throne. When Our Lord invites them to reveal why they’re really in the synagogue they opt for a strategic silence. They don’t hide their intentions well enough, or else Mark would have never known that from that moment they sought to kill Jesus.

As we saw yesterday in the case of the Lord choosing David as a new king, Our Lord doesn’t judge just by appearances; he judges hearts. When he looks at my heart today, how does he feel? Politics don’t work with him. Have a heart to heart conversation with him today and see how you can make him happy. His happiness is yours, guaranteed.

Readings: 1 Samuel 17:32–33, 37, 40–51; Psalm 144:1b, 2, 9–10; Mark 3:1–6. See also 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Monday.

1st Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday

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In today’s Gospel we see the first moments of Our Lord’s earthly ministry continuing to take shape. After an impressive demonstration of authority and power in the synagogue, he comes to Simon Peter’s house and heals his mother-in-law. Soon people are coming from all over the village, bringing the sick and those afflicted by demons so that Our Lord can heal them and liberate them from evil. Despite this success, he knows he can’t just stay in one village, but bring his teaching and power everywhere.

Good News spreads fast. Today we live in a society where the Good News has been spread far and wide, yet people don’t come to Our Lord for healing and liberation from the evil afflicting their lives. Why? We have a duty to spread the Good News, but that’s not just quoting the bible chapter and verse, but by giving testimony to the impact Our Lord has had on our own lives. Those crowds in the Gospel today would not have heard anything if Our Lord had not taught, healed, or exorcised someone they new. Our Lord does call to those people who haven’t experienced him yet, but, like Samuel in today’s First Reading, they need help to recognize who is speaking to him and to respond.

Take a moment today to take stock of what a positive impact Our Lord has made on you and your family, and don’t be afraid to share the Good News far and wide.

Readings: 1 Samuel 3:1–10, 19–20; Psalm 40:2, 5, 7–10; Mark 1:29–39. See also 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday.

Wednesday after Epiphany

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Mark’s account of Jesus walking on the water and calming the storm is intriguing in today’s Gospel because it continues the account seen in yesterday‘s Gospel regarding the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Yesterday the story begins with Our Lord looking down compassionately on the crowds and wanting to provide for their needs. Today he sends the disciples across the sea, but even when he stays behind and goes off to pray he is keeping an eye on them. He sees them in difficulty and plans just “to pass by them”: was this a test? What was he expecting from the disciples?

In the end, when everything had settled down, Mark recalls that they had not understood the incident of the loaves and for that reason they were shocked by what had just happened. Perhaps Our Lord expected more faith and trust, and thought that just by passing by them on the water, after he’d just performed the miracle of the multiplication, they’d recognize him and his power and not be afraid. Instead, due to their ignorance and hardened hearts, they didn’t recognize him out on the water and panicked more, thinking death was near. Sometimes it’s easier to recognize Our Lord at work at calm moments and in broad daylight, but in turbulent and dark times we need a more robust faith that believes he is at work even when it’s not clear to us.

Before Our Lord’s Incarnation and birth mankind was in darkness and on stormy waters, and we’d only retained a faint awareness of God’s presence, but as something unsure and at a distance. In becoming flesh Our Lord has gotten into the boat of life with us. He’s still close. Let’s open our hearts to him and foster the faith that helps us see him at work.

Readings: 1 John 4:11–18; Psalm 72:1–2, 10, 12–13; Mark 6:45–52. See also 13th Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday.

3rd Week of Advent, Wednesday

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In today’s Gospel we see a glimpse of when the Advent and Christmas party is over. John the Baptist has dedicated himself to his mission of prophet to the Messiah, and now he’s in a dungeon for it at the whims of a cruel tyrant whose “wife” wants him dead. He also knows that prophets usually don’t live to a ripe old age. So the doubt comes: was it worth it? Is Jesus really the one? John’s disciples are bringing him news, but it’s no surprise that in the gloom of a dungeon your outlook can get equally gloomy.

What he decides to do shows great humility: imagine sending your own disciples to ask whether you’ve been prophesying the right thing all along. This shows humility, but also faith: he asks Jesus with simplicity whether he is the one or not, and doesn’t demand proof. Our Lord responds by connecting his miracles with the prophecies of Isaiah, with one important omission and one important addition. He omits the prophecy about freeing the captives, but he makes a point of mentioning that he has raised people from the dead. Therefore he tells John that his liberation from prison is not forthcoming, but that he has power over death itself. John should not expect freedom in this world, but he shouldn’t fear death either. For John that is enough to prepare himself for martyrdom.

How many Advent and Christmas seasons have you lived? If a fresh hope in the coming Savior has given way to a gloomy routine of another holiday season that will come and go too quickly, now is the time to ask Our Lord to remind you of all the miracles he has worked in your life in order to re-fortify your hope. Don’t be shy about asking him.

Readings: Isaiah 45:6c–8, 18, 21c, 21c–25; Psalm 85:9ab, 10–14; Luke 7:18b–23.