Jesus' Day!

Mk 1:29-39

After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew's home. 30 Now Simon's mother- in- law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. 32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon- possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. 35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for you." 38 But Jesus replied, "We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came." 39 So he traveled throughout  the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

Food for thought!

Today, we get a glimpse of Jesus' day; how Jesus passed his day. It is good to know how Jesus lived his day, what he did when and where.

He started in the meeting place (synagogue). Synagogues were meeting places for the sharing of the Word of God. This is where people went to listen to the Scripture. Someone would read and explain to the people some text from the Bible. Then after, the people would go their places of work.

This is exactly what Jesus did. "Directly on leaving the meeting place, they came to Simon and Andrew's house, accompanied by James and John. Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning up with fever. They told Jesus. He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up." From the Word of God, Jesus went to the Work of God, and he passed the day working.

The gospel says this of Jesus' work: "they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, the whole city lined up at his door! He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits." This was a hectic day indeed, that extended into the night. He must have been exhausted by the end of his day.

"While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed." Finally, Jesus went missing; he went into seclusion to pray. Prayer is a common feature in Jesus' life. Jesus began with the Word of God, then went to the Work of God, now in prayer Jesus is with the God of both the Word and the Work. This is how Jesus lived his life. This is how we should live ours.

Our life to be Christian must be lived as Christ lived his. Many people cannot afford to go everyday to the meeting place to hear the Word of God. But all can find a few minutes everyday to read the Word of God in the morning. This is the first moment: WORD OF GOD.

The second moment is going to our places of work and do the WORK OF GOD. Whatever we do, whatever our job, it is God's work we do. Never despise anyone’s job.

The third moment, the one that compliments the two, is to be alone with the God of both the Word and Work. This is the time when we do two things, we present our day, our problems, our fatigue to the Lord in prayer, and we receive from our Lord the energy and graces and guidance we need to live on. We cannot give all day and all days to others without getting; we empty. And this is very dangerous. We need to recharge our batteries, our energies.

We need to constantly listen to the Lord to know what to do and where to go. Otherwise, people and their demands may mislead us. Jesus was adamant. Later when Simon and the others went out to find Jesus, they said, "Everyone is looking for you." But Jesus replied, "We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That’s why I came.” May Jesus help us to do and be the same.

Summarizing, everyday find time to do the three things Jesus did everyday: Study the Word of God, Do God’s Work, and find time to Be Alone with God in Prayer.