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Thursday, March 3, 2011

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St. Katharine Drexel


Sirach 42:15-25
Psalm 33:2-9
Mark 10:46-52

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how to be healed

"He began to call out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!' " —Mark 10:47

It's hard to admit weakness, sin, or even sickness. The blindness of pride often prevents us from being healed of other kinds of blindness. After Bartimaeus began calling out, "many people were scolding him to make him keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder" (Mk 10:48). After we humble ourselves, the next obstacle to healing is often worrying about what other people think of us. Often, to receive healing; it is necessary to look like a fool in the eyes of the world.

"Then Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him over' " (Mk 10:49). Bartimaeus "threw aside his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus" (Mk 10:50). His jump was a great leap of faith. Blind people don't make sudden movements. If they jump up, they don't know what might happen since they don't know what's above them. Jesus said to Bartimaeus: " 'Be on your way. Your faith has healed you.' Immediately he received his sight and started to follow Him up the road" (Mk 10:52).

What's standing in the way of your healing? Are you too proud to admit you need help? Are you too proud to confess your sins? Are you too "cool" to be healed? Are you paralyzed by the thought of being laughed at? Are you unwilling to become a fool for Christ? (1 Cor 4:10) If you jump up or down, do you believe Jesus will catch you? Don't let anything or anyone prevent you from receiving your healing and your Healer, Jesus.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, "I want to see" (Mk 10:51).

Promise:  "The Most High possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come: He makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets." —Sir 42:18-19

Praise:  St. Katharine gave up millions of dollars to live in the poverty of serving the most indigent. Pride did not prevent her from following Jesus or serving minorities.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July27, 2010

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