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Thursday, January 21, 1999

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St. Agnes


Hebrews 7:25—8:6
Psalm 40
Mark 3:7-12

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the mob scene

Jesus "is always able to save those who approach God through Him, since He forever lives to make intercession for them." —Hebrews 7:25

Something about Jesus makes us feel like mobbing Him. "A great crowd followed Him from Galilee, and an equally great multitude came to Him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, Transjordan, and the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon" (Mk 3:7-8). "In view of their numbers, He told His disciples to have a fishing boat ready for Him so that He could avoid the press of the crowd against Him. Because He had cured many, all who had afflictions kept pushing toward Him to touch Him" (Mk 3:9-10), and unclean spirits would "fling themselves down at His feet" (Mk 3:11).

St. Augustine said that our hearts are restless until they rest in Jesus. When we become aware that Jesus is near us, we sense that we should run up to Him (see Mk 10:17) and hold on to Him for dear life (see Mt 28:9; Jn 20:17). We sense that He is our only Hope, and we will be lost forever without Him.

Every person has an emptiness which only Jesus can fill. Therefore, throw yourself at the feet of Jesus and hold on to Him forever.

Prayer:  Father, through the intercession of St. Agnes, give me a passionate love for Jesus.

Promise:  "May all who seek You exult and be glad in You, and may those who love Your salvation say ever, 'The Lord be glorified.' " —Ps 40:17

Praise:  St. Agnes, a twelve-year-old girl, had such a close, loving relationship with Jesus that no amount of threat or torture could make her do anything but rejoice in Jesus, her "Spouse."

Reference:  (Pray about ordering our prayer devotional book, Conversion-Conversations. This book features a short conversation with the Lord each day and is designed to draw you closer to the heart of Jesus.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, June 11, 1998


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 20, 1998