“For This Purpose, I Have Come” by Phil Russell

“For This Purpose, I Have Come” by Phil Russell

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

If in bed I say, “When shall I arise?” then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn. My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope. Remember that my life is like the wind; I shall not see happiness again. Job 7:4, 6-7 

Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted. Psalm 147

Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak, I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the Gospel so that I too may have a share in it.  1 Corinthians 9:19, 22-23

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and, on finding him, said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose, have I come.”  Mark 1:35-38

Piety

“Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted” 💔

Psalm 147:3

Study

“Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery?” Job 1

Action

He told them, “Let us go to the nearby villages, that I may preach there also. For this purpose, I have come.” Mark 1:29-39

So, at first glance, this Sunday’s readings get off to a rough start.   Job.  

Job is one of my personal heroes of Faith.   Job is a guy who could have taken a different path.  He didn’t.  He held fast to his conviction: “I know that my redeemer lives.”

I’ve always thought that the story of humankind is all wrapped up in this one guy’s story.   And isn’t that why we needed Jesus to come to “our town?”

Paul is also a guy, who knew some tough times, but in the end, he finishes the race and has fought the “good fight.”

Then today, there is Mark sharing this “nice” quiet story... after this “man with an unclean spirit approaches him” (last Sunday), this Sunday we see Jesus leaving the synagogue, where they asked each other, “What is this?”

“What is this?”  “This” is why Jesus came.

Mark wraps “It” all up and shows us why Jesus came:  To heal, to cast out unclean spirits.” (they knew him).  

To save the lost.

Jesus is at Simon and Andrew’s house and heals Simon’s mother-in-law.  Mark’s Gospel tells us that the whole town gathered at the door.  Amazing!

Would “the whole” town come out today?

After this healing, Jesus has to get some rest; but he rises early and goes to a “deserted place, where he prayed.”

COMMUNION with The Father.  They find him, and they say, “Everyone is looking for you.”

“Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also.”

If JESUS is the “same yesterday, today and forever” (and He is), then He is coming to a “village” near you!

“Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.”

We need Jesus in our villages, our world, homes, families, our... “broken hearts!” 

Knock. Knock ✊

“For this purpose, I have come.”

JESUS .... touch our hearts, this day!