Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 5th Week in Ordinary Time – Monday – Mark 6:53-56

Following Christ’s miraculous feeding of the 5000 and the mysterious demonstration of His power by walking on water, Christ and the Apostles land at Gennesaret, a small town on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee. When Christ reaches the shore, He is immediately recognized and His presence causes a great commotion; many who attempted to draw near to Christ were disappointed when He left by boat and now are inspired with great hope upon His return.

Christ’s many great miracles of healing had become widely known. Those who saw Christ return immediately ran throughout the nearby neighborhood, spreading the word that Christ had returned. People heard where Christ was and told others; word spread like wildfire. The strong, desperate but full of hope, sought to help their sick loved ones by carrying them on mats to Christ.

Christ, robust and active, travels to every kind of place: He goes to villages, towns and in the countryside; He goes to the markets (like the modern shopping mall), the places where everyday people gathered together. Men carried the suffering to the markets, lining up, waiting for hours for the chance to encounter Christ, willing to humiliate themselves by begging to gain Christ’s attention, even for a moment. So great was their desperation and faith that they even sought to touch the prayer tassels of Christ’s cloak; remarkably, many who showed this great level of faith were healed.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ has the power to perform any miraculous act He chooses. Son of Man, Christ’s charisma is compelling and the multitudes are drawn to Him. Divine Physician, Christ heals all who come to Him in faith.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Christ’s many acts of healing are recognized by the multitudes as miraculous; in desperation and in hope, the strong bring the sick to Christ. Marvel at the reality that those who witnessed Christ during the Incarnation are convinced of His miraculous powers.

2) As demonstrated by His many miracles, Christ has infinite power. Reflect upon God’s almighty power (CCC 268-278) and draw close to His love and mercy in prayer.

3) While men struggled to get physically close to Christ during the Incarnation, today, every man can draw close to Christ in prayer. Review the “Expressions of Prayer” (CCC 2700-2724) and pray for Christ to help you to draw near to Him through a discipline of prayer.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Joyful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Souls in Purgatory

Virtue of the Day – Prudence

Corporal Work of Mercy – To give drink to the thirsty

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To instruct the ignorant