Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ 38 He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ 39 And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Every one is searching.
Using a very simple narrative, St. Mark describes the warm conviviality between Jesus and his friends as they enter the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. It‘s after a service at the Synagogue. Simon and Andrew open their doors with the generous hospitality that is common in their social customs.
Immediately, they tell Jesus about Peter's mother in law who has a high fever. He takes her by the hand and she is healed. As a sign of thanksgiving, she starts to serve them. Her love and service are shared without complaint at the arrival of unexpected guests. It is her way of saying thank you!
That evening will not end before many other people are healed. Afterward, in the wee hours of a dark night, the disciples are looking for Jesus. He has left them after another long day of teaching and healing and gone on his own to a quiet place.
The Gospel often reminds us how Jesus was so fervent to meet with God the Father, far away from the crowds and through prayer. For Jesus, every day has to start and end with prayer, especially when something important was coming, i.e. Luke 6:12-13 when Jesus prays all night before choosing his disciples as the Spirit guides him.
Found, Peter tells Jesus about the crowd looking for him and asking for physical healings, which was and will be granted. But Jesus has a better healing to offer. It consists of preaching the Kingdom of God with plenty of energy and hope that the Good News will meet listening ears and opened hearts. He invites the disciples to join him by going to the crowds in the nearby towns.
This Gospel invites us to concentrate on:
How often we start and end our day with prayers in quiet the same way?
Do we have a team of trustworthy friends to share spiritual experiences with?
Do we recommend our suffering friends to Christ’s love and healing care?
Are we a witness to God's presence among us?
Do we help to form a just and healthy society?
Are we aware of our spiritual infirmities that are beyond our physical ones, and seek Jesus to heal us?
May we join Him in proclaiming the message!
Fr. Kamal February 7, 2021