Jesus was tempted to do the right thing at the wrong time in the wrong place. An entire town wanted Jesus to stay put and perform more healings (Mk 1:36). He overcame this temptation, refused to stay where He was popular, did His Father's will, and moved on to proclaim the good news (Mk 1:37-38). How many of us fall for the temptation to do good things but not God's thing? Often we are tempted at 8 or 9 in the morning to do something good that will throw us off all day from doing God's will.

Jesus was prepared to overcome this temptation because He had risen early before everyone else to go off to a lonely place in the desert to pray (Mk 1:35). We too will start off the day right if we report for duty and worship first thing in the morning. Then we are on the way to a better than good day, to God's day — a day in His perfect will.

It all starts with early morning prayer. "The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, His mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning" (Lam 3:22). "Morning after morning He opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back" (Is 50:4-5). Jesus is "the Dayspring," the Dawn, Who "shall visit us in His mercy" (Lk 1:78). Offer the first fruits and the first moments of every day to Him.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, June 20, 1996

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 1996