1 SAMUEL 3: 1 – 10, 19 – 20

In those days: The boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down within the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood forth, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord.

The Word of the Lord

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 40: 2, 5, 7 – 10 (R.) 8a, 9a

R/. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will

I waited, I waited for the Lord,
and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry.
Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord,
and has not gone over to the proud who follow false gods. R/.

You delight not in sacrifice and offerings,
but in an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.
Then I said, “See, I have come.” R/.

In the scroll of the book it stands written of me:
“I delight to do your will, O my God;
your instruction lies deep within me.” R/.

Your justice I have proclaimed
in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed;
you know it, O Lord. R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION.
John 10: 27.

Alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
MARK 1: 29 – 39

At that time: Jesus left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother- in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered together about the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him followed him, and they found him and said to him, “Every one is searching for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

The Gospel of the Lord.

REFLECTION: The Purpose of Jesus’ Mission
January 12, 2022

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.” (Mark 1:35-38)

Why did Jesus come? What was the purpose of His life on Earth? This passage reveals that He came to preach to all people the Good News.

But do understand that statement properly. This does not mean that Jesus’ life is only about what He taught. It’s not as if He were a great man of wisdom who came to share His wisdom with us. Though that statement is true, it fails to reveal the full truth of Jesus and His mission.

So what was He all about? He was about preaching Himself as THE Truth that is spoken. Jesus IS the full revelation of the Father in Heaven and is the revelation of ALL Truth. Therefore, Jesus’ statement means that He came to share Himself, in His fullness, with all people. He came to share Himself with those He preached to, literally, as He traveled from village to village. It means that He continues to share Himself with all of us every time we listen to and receive His Living Word: The Living Word of His very life.

Reflect, today, upon the fact that Jesus desires to “travel” to the village of your mind and heart. He wants to seek you out and bring not only His words of eternal life, but also His very self. Let yourself be ministered to by Jesus and allow Him to speak to you with clarity and truth.

PRAYER:
My Lord of all Truth, I seek You and am open to letting You seek me. Help me to be open to all that You wish to reveal to me and help me to receive You as the Living Gospel. Jesus, I trust in You.