“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”
Daily Spiritual Reflections
11th February 2022
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FRIDAY, FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes)
Is 66: 10-14; 12:19 / 1Kgs 11:29-32; Ps 81:10-15; Mk 7: 31-37
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OUR GOD IS A COMFORTER AND HEALER
Today, on the feast of our Lady of Lourdes as well as the World Day of the Sick, the liturgy announces God as our healer. In the first reading, from the Book of Isaiah, God promises salvation to his people who had lost all their hope and were in mourning at the destruction of their city. Hearing their cry, God sent to them the prophet Isaiah with words of consolation and hope. Isaiah tells them that God is going to rebuild the nation and they should rejoice because God is going to bring back the prosperity of Jerusalem such that it becomes like an overflowing river. They will no longer be humiliated but will be supported and protected from their enemies.
We find a similar message in the gospel passage of today. Jesus said to the deaf man with an impediment in his speech, “‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, and the ligament of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly.” What Isaiah proclaimed in words, Jesus fulfilled in deeds. God wants to heal all of us when we sincerely seek his help. All of us have our brokenness and require healing. Let us come to Jesus our healer and he will make us whole.
The Lady of Lourdes gave Bernadette a message: “Penance! Penance! Penance! Pray to God for sinners. Go; kiss the ground for the conversion of sinners.” The Blessed Mother is also inviting us to receive healing through repentance. Today, as we also commemorate the World Day of the Sick, we are invited to be kind to those who are sick and a source of comfort to them. When people brought the sick man to Jesus, the man was healed. When we reach out to others God will also reach out to us. Thus, let us strive to be instruments of God’s healing to all those who are sick - physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. God always fulfils his promises. Let us trust in him.
Response: I am the Lord your God: listen to my voice
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