Gospel: Mk 1:40–45
A leper came to Jesus and begged him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.”Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do want to; be clean.” The leprosy left the man atonce and he was made clean.
As Jesus sent the man away, he sternly warned him,“Don’t tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest, and for the cleansing bring the offering ordered by Moses; in this way you will give to them your testimony.
”However, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter any town. But even though he stayed in the rural areas, people came to him from everywhere.

REFLECTION:

The leper did not hesitate to ask theLord for healing. His condition did not make him ashamed or timid in front of God. This confidence in His mercy moves Jesus to respond in the sameway. As the leper draws near,
Jesus extended His hand in healing. Miracle is a dance between God and His creature. We must move forward to God in great faith and trust while God moves toward us in kindness and compassion.
When Creator and creature meet and touch, the latter is brought back to wholeness.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021

Gospel: 1:29–39
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon and Andrew with James and John. As Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever, they immediately told him about her. Jesus went to her and,
taking her by the hand, raised her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening at sundown, people brought to Jesus all the sick and those who had evil spirits: the whole town was pressing
around the door. Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and drove out many demons; but he did not let them speak, for they knew who he was. Very early in the morning, before daylight,
Jesus went off to a lonely place where he prayed. Simon and the others went out also, searching for him; and when they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Let us go
to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came.” So Jesus set out to preach in all the synagogues throughout Galilee; he also cast out demons.

REFLECTION:

Jesus’ life is characterized by many movements. One of that is lifting others as well as lifting Himself high to God in prayer.
When He came to Simon Peter’s house, he lifted the latter’s mother-inlaw to health and wholeness. He will do this to so many
people in His lifetime. The following day, He spent the early hours lifting Himself to His Father in prayer. No wonder He is strong.
He also seeks people and in the same breath, people also seek Him out. He invites His disciple to go to the neighboring towns
and villages that He may also preach to them. Yet, people also look for Him. They come in droves whenever they hear Him nearby.
Thus lifting up and seeking out are the two movements that characterizes Jesus in this gospel. May we have our own movements in life that
eventually lead us to Jesus as we lift ourselves up to Him in prayer, and to humanity as we seek them out in loving service.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021

Gospel: Mk 1:21–28
They went into the town of Capernaum and Jesus taught in the synagogue on the sabbath day. The people were astonished at the way he taught, for he spoke as one having authority and not like the teachers
of the Law. It happened that a man with an evil spirit was in their synagogue, and he shouted, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: you are the Holy One of
God.” Then Jesus faced him and said with authority, “Be silent, and come out of this man!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and, with a loud shriek, came out of him. All the people were astonished,
and they wondered, “What is this? With what authority he preaches! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him!” And Jesus’ fame spread throughout all the country of Galilee.

REFLECTION:

There are many sources of authority. Some are derived from one’s position or responsibility while others come from the self.
Jesus spoke with authority. He walks the talk and consistently uphold what He believed, to the point of death.
His deep convictions translated in the actions of His life, made Him a Teacher in Words and in Deeds.
That is why even the evil spirits obey Him. His power is His integrity.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021

Gospel: Mk 1:14–20
After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee and began preaching the Good News of God. He said, “The time has come; the kingdom of God is at hand. Change your ways and believe the Good News.”
As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”
At once, they abandoned their nets and followed him. Jesus went a little farther on and saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee; they were in their boat mending their nets. Immediately Jesus called them