3rd Week, Thursday, Jan 30th
Hebrews 10:19-25; Mk 4:21-25
Jesus' death changed our situation; We should rouse each other to good works.
Ted Kennedy, Jr., lost his leg to cancer at the age of 12. giving inspirational talks to the handicapped In his 20s he spent a lot of time in the United States and Europe. Of his recovery, he says:
"People give me too much credit. ... So much of it was that my family. . .. could afford the best doctors and best treatment.
"One of the reasons I'm getting involved in speaking is that I want to repay some of that debt. It takes so little for me to make others feel better that it would be unthinkable not to make the effort."
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How much effort do we make to inspire those who are less fortunate than we are?
"The man who lives for himself is apt to be corrupted by the company he keeps." Anonymous
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Introduction
Followers of Christ are sure, confident people, for we have Christ, our mediator. His blood opens the door of heaven to us. The sacraments of initiation, received in faith, actualize in us the sacrifice of Christ.
In the gospel, the parable presents Jesus’ message as a lamp that cannot be hidden; it will blaze brightly in the end time. We must give a generous response to his message of light.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God, we can perceive the brightness of the message of Jesus your Son only in the shade. Make our faith grow, give us trust, that what we now see in obscurity and mystery may grow clearer in our minds and more evident in our actions. And never allow us to obscure or hide the kindly light of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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30 January 2025
Mark 4: 21-25
Living by the Measure of Christ: A Call to Humility and Mercy
“The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you” (Luke 6:38). These words of Jesus remind us that our way of judging, living, and loving will define how we are judged, both now and at the end of our lives. This is not merely a call to do good or avoid wrong but an invitation to adopt a Christ-like "style"—a daily way of living rooted in humility and mercy.
How do we measure others? Do we judge with a generous heart, filled with God’s love, or with selfishness and severity? Jesus makes it clear that the measure we use—our attitudes, actions, and judgments—will be the same measure used for us. If we act without mercy, we will face judgment without mercy. But if our lives are marked by compassion, forgiveness, and humility, we will receive abundant mercy in return.
True Christian living is marked by a willingness to embrace humility, even in the face of humiliation. Jesus, though God, chose to humble Himself, even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-8). He calls us to follow His example, rejecting worldly attitudes that prioritize pride, status, or personal gain over selfless love.
Do we see setbacks and sacrifices as punishments, or do we accept them as opportunities to align ourselves more closely with Christ? A Christian measure is one that values humility, accepts the cross, and places others before oneself. Let us pray for the grace to live by the measure of Christ, embracing humility and mercy as our guiding principles.
