Gospel – Mark 1: 29-39
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues,
preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
Reflection on the Gospel
Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
Since the Liturgical Year passed from Christmas to Ordinary Time, the Sunday Gospels have been moving through the beginning of the Gospel of Mark. Having meditated upon the life of John the Baptist in Advent, the readings for Ordinary time began with the Baptism of Jesus.
Mark draws attention to the Call Jesus received from the Holy Spirit indicating the Will of The Father in His life: “Coming up from the water, he saw the heavens torn apart, and the Spirit in the form of a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on you’ “! This message Jesus of Nazareth took to mean that he is “ the human one, coming from the sky!” According to the prophet Daniel. (Dn. 7.13-14) There are also intended images of the Servant of God in Isaiah. Jesus’ “Call” is to reunite the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Mark continues: “After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the gospel from God saying: “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent and believe the gospel”. What is the kingdom of God? Jesus begins by going to the synagogue and casting out the demon from a member of the congregation. Jesus leaves there and goes to the house of Peter, where he finds “Simon’s mother-in-law ill with a fever…he went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up!” The gospel for this Sunday continues from that point to narrate how news spread, and all who were sick or possessed by the demon came to the door of the house. Later Jesus says to Peter: “Let us go to the neighboring towns so that I can proclaim the message there: because this is why I came!”
Francis of Assisi took his lead from Jesus and said: “Go, spread the word; sometimes use words!” The earlier parts of the gospels narrate all the cures Jesus performed. Often Jesus said: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear: he who has eyes to see, let him see”. Jesus did not proclaim the Kingdom of God in words: by his love, and curing actions he gave examples of what the kingdom is like! I am reminded of a story from the morning after “Kristallnacht” – when the Nazi forces smashed the windows of Jewish shops. A Rabbi, talking with a group of Christians opened the window, and pointed out: “Has the Messiah Come?” Each day we open our newspapers, can we not also cry “Has the Messiah come?” Paul in Romans 5. 10-11, writes: “how much more can we be sure that, now being reconciled…we are filled with exultant trust in God”. All is here; can we trust , and accept?
Brother James Loxham
The De La Salle Community
Saint John Baptist De La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.