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Why do you allow your anger to build up into rage? Are the errors of others so great that they are punishable by death? Physical, spiritual or both? Are you? Yourself free from error or sin? Have you not enraged our Holy God by them? And yet He has not hardened His heart against You.

What are they that causes hearts to hardened? Unforgiveness, Sexual lusts, lust for power, fame, greed. Submitting to addictions, not seeking help. Refusing a loving, meaningful relationship with God. And yet He has not hardened His heart against you.

O sweet Jesus, have mercy and take away all that prevents me from being with You. Cleanse me that I may be white as snow, to love and serve You. And so that I may lead others home to You. Amen

First reading
Hebrews 3:7-14

The Holy Spirit says:
Oh, that today you would hear his voice,
“Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion
in the day of testing in the desert,
where your ancestors tested and tried me
and saw my works for forty years.
Because of this I was provoked with that generation
and I said, ‘They have always been of erring heart,
and they do not know my ways.’
As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter into my rest.’”
Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God. Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. We have become partners of Christ if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end.

Gospel
Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

How can we say God does not understand us? He does know the pain and suffering we go through? The feeling of being betrayed by others? And so on and so forth?

Our God was made flesh and dwelt among us. He came in love to save us, not to bring judgement upon us. He suffered more than anyone one human can, felt all that we feel and more even betrayal!

And yet He loved and still loves us unconditionally. Ever ready to grant us mercy when we turn to Him. Ever ready to heal and cleanse us of all that ails us. All that He asks of us, is to spend some quiet time with Him and spread the message of His love to all who will listen.

Thank You Jesus, praise You Jesus now and always. Amen

First reading
Hebrews 2:14-18

Since the children share in blood and Flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Gospel
Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
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 to 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.