Mk 1,21-28

Stand in God’s presence. God is present here and now, looking upon you with love.

Ask for the Grace: I will beg God our Lord that all my intentions and actions may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for meditation: On the sabbath, Jesus and his disciples came to Capernaum, the city situated on the Sea of Galilee, with several thousand inhabitants. There was a military garrison, a customs office and there was also a synagogue to which Jesus entered and began to teach people who were there. A man with un unclean spirit was also in the synagogue. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to go out. People were surprised by what they saw and heard. Be present in this scene.

Ask for the fruit of meditation: let me notice and experience the power of Jesus in myself and in my life

1. My faith

St. Mark describes healings and miracles, which for the recipients of his Gospel were a sign of God’s action and God’s power, which allows them to speak in today’s language to deepen their faith and believe more and more in Jesus Christ – the only Lord.

What allows you to strengthen your faith in Jesus?

 2. …he taught them as one having authority… (…) It was A new teaching with authority.

Jesus taught as one who has authority, or as an authority, and his teaching was with power. Words have power means that they are not indifferent to us, they cause something in us, stimulate reflection, maybe they change our way of thinking and acting. So, it is important for us to listen, read God’s Word, listen to what Jesus says to me in prayer, because his word will work in me and transform me.

Notice which word of Jesus you have heard today has power for you, what does it make you aware?

Strength, the power of words is enormous. I think you probably many times had experiences of being hurt by other people’s words or being comforted by kind words. It is worth being careful what we say and how we say, that we should always consider the good of the other person.

What words do you use when you are talking to others? What are you guided by in these conversations?

3. The unclean spirit convulsed him …

Satan screams loud, he must be spectacular to be attractive, noticeable. God comes usually in silence, to the depths of your heart, he does it without shouting, he does not need publicity. God desires the relationship of love with you. A greater good should be its effect.

Seek and find God’s presence in your daily life, your relationships, in all things, those very simple like walking, looking, talking, tasting. Just sensitize all your senses.

4. All were amazed …

What does it amaze you? Do you allow yourself to be amazed or is there something blocking you from it? How do you amaze your loved ones, how do you amaze God?

What God has amazed you today, maybe during this prayer? 

Meditation: St Ignatius encourages in The Spiritual Exercises No. 2 … Because not so much knowledge, but internal feeling and the taste of things please and saturate the soul, that is, we stay where we feel interior movement … and nervously do not try to go on.

The final conversation: Spend a little time at the end, being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit….as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that times when ‘nothing is happening’ can also be significant. When you’re ready, end your prayer by saying thank you or using words that are familiar, such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)–whichever feels right and comfortable. (The Spiritual Exercises No.54)