Sunday Reflections provided by the Archdiocese of New York - Office of Adult Formation
February 7, 2021
"He told them, 'Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.'" From today's Gospel, Mk 1:29-39.
The excitement of a new year lies in the idea that a new year brings an opportunity to start fresh. Of course, with the new year there is a natural tendency to set new goals, to commit to change and improve ourselves. We do this because we have hope, hope of a better life and of renewal. This year it may be difficult to be hopeful because of the news of our present time. We hear bad news from various media sources and sometimes it gets a little old not to mention discouraging, despite the resolutions we may have set for ourselves. Today’s Gospel message reminds us of the Good News, the news we can count on.
Jesus knew His purpose in this world and faithfully followed it. He came to preach the good news, and to fulfill the prophecy of the long-awaited Messiah. He came to heal the people on earth and give them eternal life. Yet Jesus’ mission did not simply end when He ascended to heaven. He is still with us now to heal us and fill us with hope. His desire to heal us and offer us eternal life does not change with the happenings of our world. No matter the headlines and bad news, Jesus is still our best news.
Jesus cares about our problems. It may sound impossible to believe that Jesus will care for you out of all the people in this world, but He does! Our Lord knows you personally and intimately. He knows your dreams, your goals, your fears, and all the desires in your heart. Jesus knows you by name, and just like more than 2000 years ago He wanted to reach out to every person in the villages He visited, He also wants to reach out to each one of us today. Let us intentionally embrace the Good News, and let’s hold on to the love of God, especially in these times. Remember St. Paul’s words to the Romans, “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 38-39).