February 4 -- 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
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The author of Mark did not choose to tell stories of Jesus’ birth and early life. His Gospel begins with the ministry of John the Baptist and his proclamation that “one mightier than I is coming after me.” Then Jesus appears and is baptized by John. Jesus’ temptations in the desert, the Baptist’s arrest, Jesus’ calling of his first disciples and the start of his public ministry follow quickly.
In today’s reading Jesus has just left the synagogue in Capernaum, and is called to the home of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. This year’s Workbook for Lectors points out that when the author states that after being healed of her illness, Peter’s mother-in-law “waited on them,” the Greek word used is one that is also used in connection with ministry. This woman was participating in the work of Jesus’ disciples!
Afterward, everyone in town shows up, hoping for healing for themselves or their loved ones. And Jesus does heal them. Soon, his reputation as a healer spreads throughout Galilee.
This winter’s flu season has been especially bad, and we should be thankful for the hard work of modern healers in hospitals, urgent care clinics and medical centers. We too long to be healed--physically, mentally and spiritually.
How can all of us help to bring some healing, some hope, to broken relationships, to people who are grieving, to people who are looking for meaning in their lives? How can we love, as Jesus loved?
Today’s Gospel also reminds us that even Jesus needed some down time, in order to carry out his ministry effectively. Something we must never forget.
