Here are the Bible Book(s)/Chapter(s) to read each day this week. Note that the readings are based on the New American Bible. 

Day 276 – Sunday, March 16

Mark Chapters 4-6

Read Mark 5:1-20 again. The Gerasene demoniac appears to Jesus in a highly disturbed state. Instead of avoiding him, Jesus speaks to him and heals him.

Ask God to help us to see that He loves us just the way we are, and to give us divine strength to love those who are unlovable by human strength alone.

Imagine the reactions of the people in the community to this man who was possessed by a demon. Do you see their fear, hatred and disgust?

Now imagine looking at this man through the eyes of Jesus. What do you see? What emotions do you feel?

Day 277 – Monday, March 17

Mark Chapters 7-8

Read Mark 7:24-30, 7:31-35, and 8:22-26 again.

Jesus chose to heal some people from a distance, and to heal others in person.

The Syrophoenician woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter, but do you think that Jesus may have also brought healing to the woman herself by testing her determination?

Ask God to reveal to us if the tests that we are going through right now may be God’s way of bringing about healings in our own lives.

Can you relate to any aspect of the story of the Syrophoenician woman or to any of the other stories about healing in today’s reading?

Day 278 – Tuesday, March 18

Mark Chapters 9-10

Read Mark 10:28-30 again.

Jesus’ disciples left everything behind in order to follow Him. Yet, Jesus promised rewards to them for doing so.

Ask God to help us let go of what is not necessary in order to follow Him with fewer distractions.

Is God calling you to a new commitment — a new mission, degree, job, home or country? Do these verses encourage you about what to expect as a result of obedience?

Day 279 – Wednesday, March 19

Mark Chapters 11-12

Read Mark 12:28-31 again.

In these verses Jesus explains the most important commandments.

Ask God to give us the ability to think deeply about the details of Scripture passages and to apply this deep concentration to other important aspects of our lives.

What specific things can you do to love God with your heart, soul, mind and strength? What specific things can you do to love yourself as you love your neighbour?

Day 280 – Thursday, March 20

Mark Chapters 13-14

Read Mark 14:22-25 again. 

These verses describe the institution of the Lord’s Supper.

Imagine yourself at the Passover meal as described in these verses. See yourself drinking from the cup from which Jesus, and all His apostles, drank.

Imagine yourself going up to Jesus once the meal was finished. Ask Him why He called you to His table. Imagine His answer to you. If you would like to do so, write this answer down.

Day 281 – Friday, March 21

Mark Chapters 15-16

Read Mark 14:62-65, 15:16-20, 15:29-32 again.

Jesus had choices. He chose to come to our world and live among us sinners. He chose to suffer and to die for us. He could have stayed in His comfort zone, but His love for us moved Him to get intimately involved with our problems here in the world.

Ask God to give us the courage to do anything that God tells us to do, whether we feel capable of accomplishing the task or not.

How does Jesus’ attitude towards personal comfort compare with what the world tells us about its value? Is feeling comfortable necessary to doing a good job in whatever God calls us to do?

Day 282 – Saturday, March 22

Luke Chapters 1-2

Read Luke 1:1-4 and 2:22-38 again. Then read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

In these verses we read about two of the people mentioned in Luke’s account of Jesus’ life. Simeon and Anna had spent almost their entire lives waiting for the arrival of Jesus. Luke wrote their stories, and all the other stories that he had collected about Jesus, for a man named Theophilus. By doing so, Luke made it possible for readers, many generations later, to come to know this part of Jesus’ story.

Ask God to guide us to work effectively with others in the Body of Christ.

You are also part of the story of Christ. Where do you think that you fit in to this story?