21-Jan-16

Gospel MK 3:7-12
Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him
and shout, “You are the Son of God.”
He warned them sternly not to make him known.
Reflection:
The news was spreading of this man, Jesus, who had the ability to cure sickness and deformity.
Mark writes, "Hearing what he was doing a large number of people came to him...." They came from all over the area to see this person who had gained a reputation as a powerful healer.
Most likely, the vast majority were not there to hear Christ's message of God's unconditional love and forgiveness, but instead they came in the hope He would cure their diseases and infirmities.
One by one, without conditions or prerequisite, Jesus healed them, even those who simply touched the tassel of His robes. But, He also preached of God's merciful forgiveness of their sins.
They may have come to Jesus in the hope of a healing, but they followed Him because of His message of God's love and forgiveness.
Today, at My Brother's Keeper it is much the same. People do not call and ask about our mission, "To bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve."
"Hearing" what we are doing, "large numbers" from all over the area call for a bed, a box of food, or a few gifts so that their children may smile on Christmas morning.
"Without conditions or prerequisite," we too respond to the physical needs of those who seek us out, but we also hand them a crucifix with the message, "This is the man who sent you the furniture."
Since 1988, tens of thousands have been served in the name of Jesus Christ, and thousands now belong to the My Brother's Keeper family.
In "imitation of Christ", may we all continue "to spread the love and hope of Jesus Christ" to all we meet.

"At the Day of Judgement we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done.”
― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ