When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to Him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and He drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew Him.

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 the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So He went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

The Gospel story gives us a glimpse of a typical day in the life of Jesus. It is a day filled with God and with people – a shuttling from synagogue, healing and preaching, and private moments of prayer.

Jesus makes His day meaningful by listening to the "sacrament of the moment." Surely, from the synagogue, He anticipates certain moments of rest when He enters Simon’s house. However, the condition of Simon’s mother-in-law is brought to His attention; and He obliges by healing the woman. When, at sunset, people begin to congregate at the door with their friends and relatives needing healing, Jesus goes on responding to their needs. When the early morning affords Him time to be alone, Jesus takes the opportunity to commune with the Father in prayer.

Days are not always neat; they do not always go according to our drawn-up plans and schedules. We have to know how to capture the call and challenge of moments. Then, each day becomes not a bore but a novelty… an instance of divine surprise.

SOURCE: "365 Days with the Lord," ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.