FIRST READING
“Speak, for your servant hears.”
A reading from the first Book of Samuel (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 Ps40:2 and 5.7-8a.8b-9. 10 (R. see 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/.
R/. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will
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/.
ALLELUIA John 10:27
Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“He healed many who were sick with diseases.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (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.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Yesterday we saw that Jesus has authority over all our situations. It is not possible that he does not know what we are going through at any point in time having been one of us, he is so familiar with our problems that he desires always to give us hope and despite. But he wants us to tell him about our problems, the same way that he is told of the illness of Peter’s mother-in-law. Telling him about a situation is an exercise of faith in him. It is the essence of prayer and can show you how to follow God’s plan for your life. Why not kneel down now tell him about your life? He is not tired of listening! Why then are you hesitant to tell him?