The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest, 31 January 2023 Hebrews 12:1-4 <*(((>< + ><)))*> = <*(((>< + ><)))*> Mark 5:21-43
Dearest Lord Jesus, Mark continues to tell us of your many crossovers across the Lake of Tiberias, of your great love for us all breaking all barriers that prevent us from getting close to you; a lot often, the problem is with us, our lack of conviction that you are the Christ.
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Mark 5:21-25, 27-29
Grant me conviction, dear Jesus; help me deepen my faith, my belief into a conviction that I am so convinced, firmly believing in what I believe like Jairus and the woman who touched you; let my faith deepen into a conviction that no matter how difficult is my situation in life, even hopeless, I remain focused in you Jesus for you alone is our life and deliverance; grant me a conviction that cannot be shaken by great crowds of people who often make us balk and chicken out from our faith in you; most of all, a conviction in you like that of St. John Bosco who overcame all obstacles in life like poverty and lack of support from others in his conviction of gathering wayward kids to give them a bright future. Indeed, "we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us be rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running race that lies before us" while keeping our eyes fixed on you, Jesus, our perfecter of faith (Heb. 12:1-2). Amen.
