5th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mk 1:29-39 “Be Positive and Thankful.”

A few years ago, a car driven by a University of Cincinnati student was struck by a speeding freight train. Miraculously, the student was uninjured. The narrow escape had a profound effect on the student’s attitude towards his life. He no longer felt that his life was his own, to do with as he pleased. He had been saved from certain death by no merit or skill of his own. He believed he had been “saved to serve”. If we look into our lives, we can find the same experiences that we are saved many times by no merits of our own. We are all saved from the slavery of sin from the blood of Jesus Christ. Many times, in life we may forget this reality and go in our own ways. We have to be thankful to God for all these saving experiences. Peter’s mother-in-law responded correctly. When she was cured by Jesus, the gospel says, “The fever left her, and she began to wait on them.” Pointing out the spontaneous response of Peter’s mother-in-law after she had been healed by Jesus, today’s gospel teaches us that true discipleship means getting involved in giving selfless service to others.

Dear friends, when was the last time we experienced being touched by God or we experienced God’s saving or healing power in our own lives? We are the servants of the Lord. And he needs our service. Today he lives through us. We are the instruments in the hands of God. It is through us God works. This is really understood by Blessed Mary. So, she responded by saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done according to your word”. In the first reading, we heard the story of Job. Job complains of the tedium and futility of life and the miseries of human existence. But eventually Job surrenders himself, his suffering, his work and everything he had to the greater wisdom of God. The second reading presents St. Paul as a true and dynamic follower of Jesus, ready to do something extra for his Lord by preaching the gospel without recompense.

During the Sabbath day, Jesus took part in the synagogue worship, taught with authority, exorcised the demons, healed Simon’s mother-in-law and, in the evening, He cured many, who were sick with various diseases, and drove out many more demons. Thus, Jesus spent himself and most of his time ministering to the needs of others, giving, healing, forgiving, and it was a new beginning for many. Jesus was a man for others, sharing what he had with others. But his disciples were excited at seeing their master becoming a local hero and attracting huge crowds, like John the Baptist. They felt that this would increase their reputation and prosperity.  So, when they found Jesus the next day, very early in the morning, at prayer in a deserted place, they suggested that he had to return to the same place where he had been so successful.  Jesus said, “Let us move on to the neighboring villages, so that I may proclaim the good news there also. “This shows that his mission had an entirely different objective than what his disciples expected.

Jesus had no interest in being the center of attraction, of being popular, of being “successful.”  He simply wanted to be where he could tend to the needs of the people.  He came to bring spiritual salvation and blessings to all people.  That is why, for the remaining two years of his life, he went from town to town preaching the kingdom of God.  He used his energies to bring healing and wholeness into the lives of the people.  Jesus’ purpose was to teach, to serve, to give, and to share.

Dear friends, we all need healing of our minds, our memories, and our broken relationships.  But Jesus now uses  counsellors, doctors, friends or even strangers in his healing ministry. Let us ask for the ordinary healing we need in our own lives. When we are healed, let us not forget to thank Jesus for his goodness, mercy, and compassion, by    turning to serve others.  Our own healing process is completed only when we are ready to help others with their needs and to focus on things outside ourselves.  Let us also be instruments for Jesus’ healing by visiting the sick and praying for their healing.   The gospel passage says” Jesus rose early the next morning and went off “to a deserted place” to pray. Jesus was well aware that prayer is important to know the will of the father. It is through prayer; he received the energy to work for the glory of his father. Dear friends, in this busy life let us find a few minutes every day to pray. It is through prayer we realize the love of God. It is through prayer we realize the presence of God in us and in others. It is through prayer we are able to realize the plan of God upon us. It is through prayer we get the strength to cooperate with the plan of God. May God bless you with his peace and happiness.

May God bless you.

-Fr Johnson