Wednesday 11 January 2023

Today is Wednesday the 11th of January, in the first week of Ordinary time.
The Portsmouth Cathedral Choir sing a setting of Psalm 42: ‘Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks so longeth my soul after thee, O God.’

Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks so longeth my soul after thee,
O God.
My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
My tears have been my meat day and night while they daily say unto me, Where is now thy God?
Now when I think thereupon, I pour out my heart by myself for I went with the multitude, and brought them forth into the house of God;
In the voice of praise and thanksgiving among such as keep holy day.
Why art thou so full of heaviness, O my soul and why art thou so disquieted within me? Put thy trust in God for I will yet give him thanks for the help of his countenance.
My God, my soul is vexed within me therefore will I remember thee concerning the land of Jordan, and the little hill of Hermon.
One deep calleth another, because of the noise of the water-pipes all thy waves and storms are gone over me.
The Lord hath granted his loving-kindness in the day-time and in the night-season did I sing of him, and made my prayer unto the God of my life.
I will say unto the God of my strength, why hast thou forgotten me why go I thus heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me?
My bones are smitten asunder as with a sword while mine enemies that trouble me cast me in the teeth; Namely, while they say daily unto me Where is now thy God?
Why art thou so vexed, O my soul and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son; and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be; world without end. Amen.
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 1:29-39
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door.And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Here we are watching as Jesus starts his ministry. How would you describe the “mood” or “pace” of this episode? What do you sense?
What do you notice about Jesus in this passage? How do you notice yourself responding to Him?

Do you get the impression that Simon understands Jesus? Imagine yourself as Simon or one of the companions…how well do you think you would have understood Jesus’ words and actions?

Now listen as the narrative is read once more for you. Does anything surprise you in the story?

Finally, is there some way in which you might sum up your prayer today? Say something to God in your own words.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.