Today in Mark’s gospel, Jesus enters the synagogue in Capernaum. This story is the first time we hear Jesus preach, according to Mark. Now the scribes mentioned were good people who devoted their lives to learning the law. They memorized it, they taught it, and the people listened to it and recited it back to them the best they could. It was the kind of thing you learned by rote. But words learned by rote do not automatically become one’s own.
As part of my study, I have learned the Gospels. I have heard them many times, and I believe what I’ve heard and read. Yet I have often asked myself, what does it mean to love my enemies and to pray for those who persecute me. Does it really mean that ?
It’s quite a different thing to take these teachings to heart and to live them rather than just memorize them. That is the point of Jesus’ teaching. I face different situations in my life, and as I do I must let these teachings enter my life in a new way. They must become part of my commitment to live and walk in the footsteps of the Lord.
DeColores, Deacon Doug
Join us in prayer!
We encourage you to join us as we recite the Holy Rosary every night at 8PM! On Wednesdays, we pray the rosary via Zoom with the rector and rectora.
Resources for those not able to attend Mass
Daily Readings in English and Spanish from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Prayers, readings for Mass, and additional spiritual readings are available at:
“Give Us This Day” a digital file of their periodical, which includes daily Mass texts. Visit GUTD.net and select “Digital” in the upper right of the screen.
