Gospel: Mark 3:7-12
Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him
and shout, “You are the Son of God.”
He warned them sternly not to make him known.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Thanksgiving.
Reflection:
St Agnes was a beautiful young girl from a Christian family. Suitors sought her hand in marriage, but she would always tell them “Jesus Christ is my only Spouse.” One suitor was so displeased that he turned her over to the Roman authorities. She was martyred at the young age of thirteen. She is the patron saint of young girls. In today’s Gospel we see many people from various places coming together to see Jesus. Why would people spend time and effort to follow the Lord? Because they heard “what he was doing”. Jesus preached an unheard-of message of love. He also healed those who are sick. People saw in Jesus what their heart needs. The young Agnes spurned her suitors because she also heard what Jesus did. She saw in Jesus what her heart was looking for. In her honour, St Ambrose wrote “As a bride she would not be hastening to join her husband with the same joy she shows as a virgin on her way to punishment, crowned not with flowers but with holiness of life, adorned not with braided hair but with Christ Himself!”
- Why do you follow Jesus?
- How does Jesus satisfy the needs of your heart?
- How do you adorn your life with Christ Himself?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers and example of St Agnes, bless and protect all young girls that they may know, love, and serve You. Grant us the grace to remain faithful to You amidst the temptations of the world. Amen.
