Wellspring of Scripture

 

Year B: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Gospel: Mark 1: 29-39      

 

Mark records the early days of Jesus’ ministry as filled with healing. Last week - the healing was brought about by Jesus confronting evil - in today’s reading, the healing enables a woman to resume her duties and to serve Him.

 

The woman in question is Simon’s mother-in-law. Jesus going straight to Simon’s house and straight in to healing the woman. As so often in Mark, Jesus is the man of action.

Again, His reputation spreads and people are drawn to bring their sick and disturbed to Him. He is clearly seen as a wonder-worker - and the crowds continue to come.

 

However, Jesus is Jesus - not just a wonder-worker. Any power He has comes being who He is - the Son of God and an essential part of this is the time spent in communion with the Father. So, after the excitement and bustle of the evening’s events at Simon’s house, Jesus leaves the house long before dawn to find a place of solitude where He can pray and be still with God.

 

Given Mark’s style, the fact of including this small incident shows the importance he places on the fact that Jesus is not only someone who does things “at once” and “straight-away” but is also someone who takes time out of the busy-ness. He knows the needs of those who are sick and disturbed - but He also knows the absolute necessity of silence and communion with God.

 

It is following this time of prayer that Jesus discerns that His mission is not to be confined in one place - but that the Good News is to be proclaimed throughout Galilee. They leave the village - and Jesus spreads the news of the Kingdom - by preaching and by healing - particularly healing those who are held bound by evil.

 

This balance in Jesus’ life was to be an example to His first disciples - and may be even more important in our day where so much emphasis is placed on what people do - what people achieve. Often, this means that people lose sight of the importance of “being” - of spending time with the God who created them.

 

Jesus offers an example of what it means to be a whole person - who gives His time and energy generously and lovingly to those around Him - but who also gives time and space generously and lovingly to God.

 

Mark records the early days of Jesus’ ministry as filled with healing. Last week - the healing was brought about by Jesus confronting evil - in today’s reading, the healing enables a woman to resume her duties and to serve Him.

 

The woman in question is Simon’s mother-in-law. Jesus going straight to Simon’s house and straight in to healing the woman. As so often in Mark, Jesus is the man of action.

 

Again, His reputation spreads and people are drawn to bring their sick and disturbed to Him. He is clearly seen as a wonder-worker - and the crowds continue to come.

 

However, Jesus is Jesus - not just a wonder-worker. Any power He has comes being who He is - the Son of God and an essential part of this is the time spent in communion with the Father. So, after the excitement and bustle of the evening’s events at Simon’s house, Jesus leaves the house long before dawn to find a place of solitude where He can pray and be still with God.

 

Given Mark’s style, the fact of including this small incident shows the importance he places on the fact that Jesus is not only someone who does things “at once” and “straight-away” but is also someone who takes time out of the busy-ness. He knows the needs of those who are sick and disturbed - but He also knows the absolute necessity of silence and communion with God.

 

It is following this time of prayer that Jesus discerns that His mission is not to be confined in one place - but that the Good News is to be proclaimed throughout Galilee. They leave the village - and Jesus spreads the news of the Kingdom - by preaching and by healing - particularly healing those who are held bound by evil.

 

This balance in Jesus’ life was to be an example to His first disciples - and may be even more important in our day where so much emphasis is placed on what people do - what people achieve. Often, this means that people lose sight of the importance of “being” - of spending time with the God who created them.

 

Jesus offers an example of what it means to be a whole person - who gives His time and energy generously and lovingly to those around Him - but who also gives time and space generously and lovingly to God.

What does it mean for me?

Waterlily

What do you learn from Jesus’ example?

How can you put it into practice? 

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