In this First Week in Ordinary time, we pray over the gifts we present: Lord, Make us grow in holiness and grant what we ask you in faith. While our own personal faith may not be strong enough to ask God unconditionally "make me grow in holiness", we have the consolation of praying with the faith of the Church. We believe that God the Father has already answered this prayer by providing us with the grace of holiness through Jesus and through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Knowledge alone will not make us holy, for holiness is a gift of God. Nevertheless, since Jesus came to be the Way, the Truth and the Life, knowing Jesus and His truth will give us the courage to open our hearts to Him so that His truth will lead us in the pathway of life and holiness.

Already in the first chapter of his Gospel, from which today's passage is taken, Mark introduces Jesus to us as a healer. Since healing was a major part of the life of Jesus on earth, we must believe that healing is one of the important ways in which, in union with the Father and the Son He makes us grow in holiness.