Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
This Week’s Intention: For a deep and abiding respect among all people for the sanctity and dignity of life.
Today’s Gospel | Mark 3:1-6
Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.
From the Fourteenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | St. John Baptist de La Salle
What you say and do need not be as great a concern in the account you will have to render to God as the intention and the manner of these actions. For the faults of speaking and acting are usually more tangible and come more readily to your mind. Of intention Saint Paul says that whether we speak or whether we act, we must do all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, not in order to please men but to please God. This is the purpose you must have and the sole motive that God wants you to have in your work.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your mercy knows no limits. In all times and in all places you bring healing to the sick, provide the living with sustenance, support the fallen, release those who are captive, and keep faith with those who are lost. Teach us to be instruments of your mercy to all who seek your comfort. Strengthen and enlighten us, so that we may do your will and serve one another, not as human wisdom would have us do, but as your wisdom would. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts forever.