Meditation

Today's reading helps us to consider the blessings that come when we enjoy the presence of Jesus and his Mother, Mary, in the midst of human events, such as the one we are contemplating: “There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding” (Jn 2,1-2).
 

Today, Saint Mark tells us how Jesus taught and how the crowd came to Him. In those days, they were as hungry for doctrine as we are today, ignorance being always our worst enemy. Let us not forget the expression: “They will hate no more when they ignore no more”...
 

Today, we see the Lord surrounded once more by crowds: “Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door” (Mk 2, 2). His heart is melted by people's needs and provides them as much relief as possible; by forgiving, teaching and healing them at the same time. 

Today, during our daily prayer we long for and hope to hear our Lord's voice. "As the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice ‘do not harden your hearts’" (Heb 3,7-8). In this brief quote, two points are raised: a longing and a warning. Both should never be forgotten.
 

Today, we are clearly shown how Jesus split His working hours. On one hand, He prayed; on the other, He consecrated time to His mission of praying with words and deeds. Contemplation and Action. Prayer and Work. Being with God while amongst men.
 

Today, first Tuesday in Ordinary Time, Saint Mark presents Jesus teaching in the synagogue, and immediately he comments: “The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes” (Mk 1, 21). This is quite an extraordinary comment. On one hand, what His listeners admire is certainly not the doctrine but the Master; it is not what is said, but who says it. 

Today, the Gospel invites us to conversion: “Change your ways and believe the Good News” (Mk 1, 15). Convert to what? It would perhaps be better to say, to whom? To Christ! This is how He said it: “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me” (Mk 10, 37). To convert means to gratefully receive the gift of Faith and live a life of love and service. 
 

Today, we look at an adult Jesus. The child of the manger has grown to manhood and respectability, and reaches that place in life when He must embark on the Divine commission entrusted to Him by the Father. In preparation, He joins the candidates who have responded to John the Baptist in the Jordan River, submitting to baptism at his hands to wash away their sins.
 

Today, we are surprised to see both Jesus and John baptizing "side by side". We say "side by side", although… actually, this is only in appearance, because John the Baptist refers us to Jesus, who is the Messiah, the "new Moses", the long-awaited Prophet, he who comes over to bring God to us. “What has He [Jesus] brought? The answer is very simple: God. He has brought God” (Benedict XVI).
 

Today, it is our responsibility to make sure that “the report about him” (Lk 5, 15) keeps on spreading; mainly among those that do not know Him or who, for one reason or other, have moved away from Him.