The Gospel According to Mark 1:29-39
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon´s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. 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. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed, and Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Reflection: In this, the very beginning of Mark’s Gospel, we are witness to the healing power of Jesus as He heals Peter’s mother-in-law. He does so to show, His new disciples, the healing power of God, and there was not any doubt after that. He didn’t need to prove to them anything, they were already convinced. His ability was by His simple touch as He “lifted her up”. And to prove this miracle was not a hoax, we witness her ability to get right up and begin to serve them all. Another point of these first few lines of Mark’s Gospel is that we learn that Peter is married, and perhaps Peter’s family becomes part of these first followers of Jesus.
After Jesus heals many in the evening by casting out demons, and healing many of various diseases, He retreats to a quiet place to pray to His Father. As Deacons we not only start our day with Morning Prayer, asking God to strengthen us for the challenges we will encounter during the day, but also finish our day through Evening Prayer, thanking God for all the blessing we received, and witnessed during the day.
Action of the Day: How is your prayer life? Do you have a place where you can withdraw to talk to and pray to God? It doesn’t have to be a place that’s elaborate, just a place that allows you to center yourself and be able to pray and talk to God. Find that place! And get yourself into a habit of doing this as often as you can. It will make a huge difference in your relationship with your family and with those you encounter in your life.
Audio Reflection:
