The Touch

Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’
Mk.5:30

While walking among a large crowd pressing up against him, Jesus feels his healing power go out from him. He has been touched by a woman with desperate faith and her spontaneous healing is the result.

There is so much happening in this story from Mark. Jesus is responding to Jairus's cry for healing for his dieing daughter and spontaneous healing of the bleeding woman happens on the way. He is confronted by faith of the woman and the mocking unbelief of the girl's mourners.

It appears that the faith of the woman drew healing power from Jesus without him instigating it. Her touch in faith was all that was required. "Daughter, your faith has healed you”says Jesus.

The power of faith is demonstrated here. The faith of Jairus and of the woman was born of desperation but that didn't matter.  One cried out, the other simply touched. The miracle healing power of Jesus did its work.

The cry for another or the touch for self, either done in faith can result in miracles.

Lord Jesus, thank you again for the gift and the power of faith. 
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Share the Gift

That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control.
2Tim.1:6,7

Saint Paul is writing to Timothy to encourage him in his mission. Paul reminds Timothy where his faith has come from (his grandmother and mother) and what it has given him (power, love and a sound mind).

It is good to remember where my faith has come from and what it has given me. So many people have been part of my conversion story and I owe them a great debt. My faith has given me foremost, joy, hope, peace and love. The power and self control of Timothy are mine as well.

I have received a great gift. It is not for me alone but to share, today...

Lord Jesus, you have given me a great gift of faith. Help me share its fruits with those I meet today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

A Jealous Eye

And Saul turned a jealous eye on David from that day forward.
1Sam.18:9

David is being credited as the greater warrior over the Philestines than Saul and Saul becomes fearful of his crown and jealous of David.

In fact, David was the greater warrior. While Saul cowered in fear from Goliath, David stepped up and defeated the giant. Saul could have learnt from David's example of trusting fearlessly in God. He alllowed jealousy to take root in his heart instead and so began his great fall.

I heard a priest once say he very rarely had people confess the sin of jealousy. It's such a demeaning sin to confess yet everyone of us has been guilty of it. Jealousy isolates me from others, feeds pride and vain-glory. It is the worst of spiritual cancers.

Of whom am I jealous today?  Maybe it’s time I went to a confessional and surprised a priest.

Lord Jesus, I confess the sin of jealousy. Help me be rid of this cancer and liberate myself to work in the opposite spirit of generosity.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

I am Siezed

At this, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him where he stood with his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord seized on David and stayed with him from that day on.
1 Sam.16:13

Samuel has been shown by God which among Jessies sons is to be anointed the new king. The least likely because of his youth, David is set apart, consecrated by his annointing and the Holy Spirit seizes apron him for the rest of his life.

There is something almost violent in the word "sieze". It infers a firm and relentless grip. I would agree with this use of the word. Once the Holy Spirit released his power in my life I became firmly in his grip. Despite my failings and fallings, like David, the Holy Spirit has laid claim on me and remains.

It's good to reminded that this steadfast friend is still present and active in my life. Today I live with the sure knowledge that I am firmly in the grip of the Holy Spirit of God.

Thank you Holy Spirit of God for your resolute hold on my life. I recommit myself to your influence today. Veni Sancte Spiritus.
Little Flower please pray for me.

Of Course He Wants to

A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured.
Mk.1:40-42

Jesus is touched with compassion for the begging leper, an extreme outcast. Jesus breaks all the taboos of the day and touches the leper and heals him.

I love this story. It says so much about Jesus’attitude to me, a sick beggar when compared to his holiness. “Of course I want to lift you up, free you, heal you Mike” he says to me. A good attitude for me to approach Jesus is shown by the leper... on my knees.

Lord Jesus, touch me with your healing touch this day. Lift me up so I may glorify you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Cast them Out

And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
Mk.1:39

Jesus has just started his public ministry. He has performed miracles of healing but also each time,  Demons were cast out.

It seems like Jesus didn't have to look very far before he found Demons to be cast out. Where ever there were crowds to see him he performed healing and he cast out Demons.

I wonder if he would find as many demons in my world today should he be walking through our churches and streets? I suspect he would.

This reminds me that I may live in a new age but the world I live in is unchanged from 2000 years ago. I am engaged in a spiritual battle that has raged over millennia. The good news is that Jesus casts out Demons just as successfully today as ever. I have no need to fear , just keep my eyes and heart focused on Jesus.

Lord Jesus, I claim victory in my life in your name and I place my trust in you.
Little flower, pray for me.

Humility and Authority

‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.’
Mk.1:27

 Jesus enters the synagogue. He teaches with a new authority. To demonstrate this he casts out an unclean spirit from a man and people are amazed.

Jesus is just starting his ministry and he chooses to demonstrate who He truly is by the casting out of a Demon. He could have chosen other miracles but confronting the spiritual world gave the greatest demonstration of who he truly was.

Jesus tells the church that we can do even greater things than he once we have received power from on high. This is either true or not. I can have the same authority as Jesus when I act in his name and in his way. His way is the way of humility yet it is also the way of authority.

Lord Jesus, I ask for humility and authority that your power may be demonstrated through me for your glory. Amen.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

While He is Near

Seek the Lord while he is still to be found, call to him while he is still near.
Is.55:6

The prophet Isaiah gives an invitation to all who are hungry and thirsty in the spirit to seek and call out to God while there is time.

The inference here is that the Lord will not always be able to be found, will not always be near. We live in a graced age when the doorway to God is open. It will not always be so.

It’s easy for me to take my salvation for granted, to assume I can always turn back if I happen to wander. I’m too casual with God. Seeking and calling need to be part of my every day, while he is still near.

Lord Jesus, I often take you for granted, assume your mercy will always be within easy grasp. Forgive me Lord. I want to press closer into you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Believe

I have written all this to you so that you who believe in the name of the Son of God may be sure that you have eternal life.
1Jn.5:13

John is writing to the early Church reiterating who Jesus is and what belief in him gains, eternal life.

Here in one verse is what gives me the greatest joy and hope in being a believer in Jesus Christ. Eternal  life! What a promise. And this is what drives me to be a witness and encourager for others to believe, especially my loved ones.

I'm reminded again of the inexpressible joy I was given when my mother said "I believe" on her death bed. I know we will meet again. This is a promise.

Today I live as a believer and an authentic witness as one who has the joy and promise of eternal life.

Thank you Jesus for the wonderful gift of faith in you and the promise this faith gives me, eternal life with you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Come and see...

Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went...
Jn.1:38,39

John the Baptist identifies Jesus and two of his disciples follow after him. Jesus challenges them as to their purpose and then invites them to follow him.

John the Baptist demonstrates his humility to Jesus by encouraging his own followers to leave and follow Jesus. Jesus gives a simple invitation, “Come and see”.

This type of invitation is appealing. Come and see hints that there is concrete and convincing evidence I have not yet seen. Phillip is to make the same invitation to Nathanael in answer to his scoffing remark, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” “Come and see” says Phillip and Nathaneal’s life is changes forever.

“Come and see” says Jesus to me. How fully I respond to his invitation is up to me. It could change my life forever.

Lord Jesus, I hear your invitation to come and see. Lord I choose to follow you today. Show me where you live in the places I go today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.