Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was given all authority in heaven and on earth. We see His earthly authority in today's Gospel reading from Mark 1. He casts unclean spirits out of a man.
In our first reading from Hebrews 2, we read, "It was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering."
This passage brings to mind for me the events of a year ago. One year ago, I was at the tail end of the most intense and prolonged physical suffering I have ever experienced. My bout with shingles was excruciating. This intense suffering was rather purgatorial for me. God showed me that suffering has purpose, and one of the greatest purposes is to perfect us. It helps us put things in life back in perspective. And when we "offer it up," it speeds the process of being perfected.
Father, we know that suffering will surely come our way. May we imitate Christ and come to perfection through our obedience in accepting any suffering you have for us. Amen.
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