Wednesday 5 February 2025

Today is Wednesday the 5th of February, the feast of Saint Agatha, in the 4th week of Ordinary Time. IAMSON, with Paul Zach and Jessica Fox, sings ‘Just a closer walk with Thee’. I am weak, but thou art strong Jesus, keep me from all wrong I'll be satisfied as long As I walk, let me walk close to Thee Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it, Jesus, is my plea Daily walking close to Thee Let it be, dear Lord, let it be Through this world of toil and snares If I falter, Lord, who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it, Jesus, is my plea Daily walking close to Thee Let it be, dear Lord, let it be When my feeble life is o'er Time for me will be no more Guide me gently, safely o'er To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it, Jesus, is my plea Daily walking close to Thee Let it be, dear Lord, let it be Let it be, dear Lord, let it be Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark. Mark 6:1-6 [Jesus] left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. Imagine today that as one of the disciples of Jesus, you follow him to his hometown. Picture the village now, so familiar to Jesus… the homes… the people who live there…What is it like for Jesus as he arrives? Watch as he is greeted by his mother…his family…by the neighbours. Now place yourself in the local synagogue on the Sabbath and watch Jesus as he teaches the local community, the people who have known him as a carpenter… what mood do you sense here? How are the local community receiving his message? Try to picture their facial expressions… As you listen to the reading again, notice the things that are said about Jesus in both astonishment and offence. As a disciple, by his side, imagine now, that you are walking away from Jesus’ home towards the villages, ready to begin teaching there. As you walk, what would you like to say to Jesus? End your prayer with a conversation with him about the reading today. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.