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Writer's pictureImmersed in Christ

A Friend Who Relates

by Fr. David M. Knight



Sunday, February 4, 2024

Week V in Ordinary Time

Lectionary No. 74

Job 7:1-7; Psalm 147; 1 Corinthians 9:16–23; Mark 1:29-39


"He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up…" Mark 1:31


When someone needed help, Jesus gave it. As soon as they told him about Peter’s mother in law, he approached, touched her, helped her get up. Then “they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons,” and he healed them.


This made people want to use Jesus as a healer. And some accepted him as teacher. But we want relationship with him as a friend. For this we have to look, not just at what he does, but at why he does it.


Why did Jesus heal? It wasn’t to impress or attract people as a faith healer. He asked everyone to keep his healing miracles quiet. He healed in order to enable and enter into relationships of love.


When Paul said, “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” he explained it was because “the love of Christ urges us on....” His burning desire and prayer was that each of us might “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (2Corinthians 5:14; Ephesians 3:19)—through relationship with the Father, Son, Spirit, and all creation.


For Jesus, the ultimate healing is relationship.


Friendship is interaction. Interact with Jesus and you will enter into relationships of love.


ACTION: When you pray for someone’s healing, remember that relationship is more important than the healing itself. Imagine how Jesus feels.


PRAYER: “Lord, be with me. Let me be with you.”


Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry




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