Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 2nd Week in Ordinary Time – Thursday – Mark 3:7-12

Following several intense conflicts with the Jewish leadership, Christ prudently withdraws from Capernaum out into the countryside by the Sea of Galilee. Because of His authoritative teaching and miraculous healings, Christ was beginning to gain widespread interest from people drawn from all of Israel and also from the Gentile lands, confirming His universal call to all people.

The crowds are so large and desperate that, as they surge to draw close to Christ, there is a real danger that people could be hurt; Christ, able to remove Himself at will from difficult situations (Luke 4:29-30), perhaps was more concerned about injuries to others. Foreseeing the danger, Christ prudently comes up with an elegant solution: He has a boat at the ready to take Himself and the disciples out into the safety of the Sea of Galilee.

Christ heals many of the ill, so desperate that they seek to draw close to Him and touch him, because Christ radiates a mysterious “power” (Luke 6:19); Christ, immune from illness, is never infected with disease despite the constant contact with sick people. Those possessed, controlled by their demons who force the possessed to fall down and shriek, exalt Christ,  calling Him, “The Son of God.”

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ is widely recognized for His power and followed by multitudes. Son of Man, Christ is the perfection of the flesh and immune from all types of diseases. Divine Physician, Christ has the power and knowledge to heal every kind of illness. Divine King, Christ authoritatively casts out demons from possessing people and orders them not to speak.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Christ, the Divine Physician, is recognized for His power to heal every kind of disease (CCC 1503-1510). Contemplate Christ’s healing power and be awed.

2) Celebrities come and go, but Christ continues to appeal to billions of people two millennia after His death and resurrection. Pray for Christ to increase your faith and your hunger to draw close to Him.

3) While some scoff at demons and others are fascinated by them (occult, horror films), Christ is familiar with the evil fallen angels who follow Satan; He engages and defeats both Satan and demons throughout the Incarnation. Arm yourself with the Church’s teaching about Satan and demons (CCC 391-395) and the need to be “delivered from evil” (CCC 2850-2854).

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Luminous Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Holy Eucharist

Virtue of the Day – Fortitude

Corporal Work of Mercy – To shelter the homeless

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To bear wrongs patiently