Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 3:7-12
Drawn by the Father, Strengthened for the Struggle

The Gospel speaks of a great multitude that followed Jesus with fervour and longing, drawn from far and wide. These people, moved by need, curiosity, or faith, journeyed to hear His words and seek healing. Their enthusiasm was not orchestrated; it was the Father who drew them to Jesus through the Holy Spirit. This same divine drawing is the heartbeat of every authentic Christian journey.

Jesus’ response to the crowd reveals His tender heart. Seeing them as “sheep without a shepherd,” He is moved with compassion, healing and teaching with authority. But this encounter with Jesus is no mere moment of comfort; it marks the beginning of a deeper struggle.

The Gospel shows that the Christian life is a battlefield. While the Father draws us toward Jesus, the spirit of evil resists, waging war against our hearts. This conflict is inescapable for those who truly seek to follow Christ. As St. Paul reminds us, faith is a daily struggle, requiring vigilance, prayer, and the courage to reject the empire of sin. A life without temptations or inner conflict is not a Christian life but an illusion of complacency.

The unclean spirits tremble in God’s presence, yet they also work tirelessly to deter us from being drawn to Him. Do we feel this struggle in our hearts? Do we sense the pull of the Father and the resistance of evil? Do we believe that our lives move the heart of Jesus?

As pilgrims of hope, let us embrace the struggle with faith, knowing that Jesus fights alongside us. Father, draw me closer to Jesus each day. Strengthen me in the daily struggle and help me trust in Your love that never ceases to call me. Amen.

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Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025