General Theme: “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the end” (Philippians 1:6) General Objective: To contemplate Jesus’ availability to God’s Plan during his public life and how He has come to understand along the way the strategy to reach it. Strategy with the greatest apostolic efficacy: to make disciples who in turn make other disciples. Objective of the week: To contemplate Jesus during his first works in the public life.
Introduction“He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the end” (Philippians 1:6) This month, we are invited to contemplate Jesus especially in His public life looking at his availability to discover and understand the plan and strategy of the Father. We are called to pray on this so that we can also know and live as disciples the greatest apostolic efficacy. After the Resurrection we knew how the disciples looked back at all the work Jesus did through His words and deeds. Jesus began all these good works also in us as fruits of the Resurrection and He assures us each day that He will perfect it. Now we contemplate his first works in the public ministry and how he himself understood along the way the plan and strategy of the Father. Jesus grew in His understanding in the mission through constant prayer and work with the Father. “My Father is always working and I too must work.” (John 5:17) Through his openness and availability, he was able to change His ways and follow what the Father sent Him to do. Let us be intelligent in our mission of forming apostles by learning the strategies Jesus learned in his public life. MondayJesus began His proclamation to make come true the Scriptures12 Hearing that John had been arrested he withdrew to Galilee, 13 and leaving Nazara he went and settled in Capernaum, beside the lake, on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 15 Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea beyond Jordan. Galilee of the nations! 16 The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a country of shadow dark as death a light has dawned. 17 From then onwards Jesus began his proclamation with the message, 'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.' (Matthew 4:12-17) 14 After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the gospel from God saying, 15 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel.' (Mark 1:14-15) The first works of Jesus in his public life was already awareness on his part that he is fulfilling the Scriptures. His presence and His proclamation were very much connected to all the promises said in the Scriptures. TuesdayProclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom and brought healing(Memorial St. Peter Mary Chanel and St. Louis Marie de Montfort) 23 He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and illness among the people. 24 His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralysed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. 25 Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea and Transjordan. (Matthew 4:23-25) 14 Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues and everyone glorified him. (Luke 4:14-15) The first works of Jesus in his public life was to bring the good news of the Kingdom of God to everyone. He did this not just by words but proving that the Kingdom is true and present among them by the healing he showed through the power of the Holy Spirit. WednesdayHe taught with authority(Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena) 21 They went as far as Capernaum, and at once on the Sabbath he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority. 23 And at once in their synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit, and he shouted, 24 'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.' 25 But Jesus rebuked it saying, 'Be quiet! Come out of him!' 26 And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. 27 The people were so astonished that they started asking one another what it all meant, saying, 'Here is a teaching that is new, and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.' 28 And his reputation at once spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.
(Mark 1:21-28) Through the first works of Jesus, we see how he taught the people. We see how his teaching made a deep impression on them. This is because he taught with authority and even showing that the power of the Resurrection is much more powerful than the works of the devil. Comments are closed.
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