5th Sunday of the Ordinary Time

“After Jesus left the Synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So He went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.” (Mark 1:29-31).

The disciples had not known Jesus long, but already they had begun to take all their troubles to Him.

Simon’s mother-in-law was sick. It was for the disciples the most natural thing in the world to tell Jesus all about it. Thus, early the disciples had learned what became the habit of a life time. To take all their troubles to Jesus and to ask His help for them. After being healed the mother-in-law of Simon prepared a meal for Jesus and His disciples.

Jesus helps us so that we may help others.

Jesus heals many people.

“Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and He cast out many Demons.” (Mark 1:34).

Such an all-inclusive power could only be the power of God Himself at work among His people.

For St. Mark, healing and casting out Demons are of central importance in the ministry of Jesus. They serve as His audiovisual aids, making the presence of the kingdom real and perceptible. And as such they are inseparably linked to the proclamation of the Gospel, both for Jesus and His disciples.

The quiet hour after the long healing session at the house of Simon.

“Before day break the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” (Mark 1:35).

Even after the long healing session at the house of Simon, Jesus arises very early the next morning and finds a solitary place to pray. Authority, Jesus seek guidance from God like an ordinary man.

If prayer was importance for Jesus, then it must be important to us His disciples.

Pray, even if we have to get up very early in the morning to do it!

Fr. Augustine Wong