That evening, at sundown, people brought to Jesus all the sick and those who had evil spirits:
the whole town was pressing around the door. Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and drove out many demons;
but he did not let them speak, for they knew who he was.
Very early in the morning, before daylight, Jesus went off to a lonely place where he prayed.
Simon and the others went out also, searching for him; and when they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
Then Jesus answered, “Let us go to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came.”
So Jesus set out to preach in all the synagogues throughout Galilee; he also cast out demons.
REFLECTION:
"Ora et labora, Pray and Work” is a Benedictine motto handed down to all generations of Benedictines.
But this is not original to Saint Benedict. This motto goes back to Jesus, as he exemplifies it in today’s gospel.
After a very busy day, Jesus finds time to go to a lonely place to pray. Prayer is not only talking to God,
it is first and foremost listening to God. Just as mobile phones need recharging, so we too need re-charging, to be re-energized by God.
Prayer enables us to perform the mission entrusted to us by virtue of our baptism.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020