January 14, 2009

Hebrews 2: 14 - 18

   Now, since the chldren are men of blood and flesh, Jesus likewise had a full share in ours, that by his death he might rob the devil, the prince of death, of his power, and free those who through fear of death had been slaves with their whole life long.  Surely he did not come to help angels, but rather the children of Abraham; therefore he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God on their behalf, to expiate the sins of the people.  Since he was himself tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Psalms  105: 1 - 9

   Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds.  Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds.  Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!  Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly.  Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgements he has uttered, your descendants of Abraham, his servants sons of Jacob his chosen ones!

  He, the Lord is our God; throughout the earth his judgements prevail.  He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations - which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac.

Mark 1: 29 - 39

  Immediately upon leaving the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.  Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever and the first thing they did was to tell him about her.  He went over to her and grasped her hand and helped her up, and the fever left her.  She immediately began to wait on them.

 After sunset, as evening drew on, they brought him all who were ill, and those possessed by demons.  Before long the whole town was gathered outside the door.  Those whom he cured, who were variously afflicted, were many, and so were the demons he expelled.  But he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.  Rising early the next morning he went off to a lonely place in the desert; there he was absorbed in prayer.  Simon and his companions managed to track him down, and when they found him, they told him,  "Everybody is looking for you!"  He said to them:  "Let us move on to the neighboring villages so that I may proclaim the good news there also.  That is what I have come to do."  So he went into their synagogues preaching the good news and expelling demons throughout the whole of Galilee.