Mark 1:29-39

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.

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am always looking for your Son! I know that through him and in your Spirit, I will encounter you. I know that he will heal me in body and spirit and teach me the path that leads to you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Jesus Enters Our House: The image of Jesus entering the house of Peter and Andrew is a powerful one. The same Jesus enters the “house” of our soul and transforms us through his grace. Just as Peter’s mother-in-law was healed and elevated, the grace we receive from Christ has a healing dimension and an elevating dimension to it. There is even a transition dimension to this Gospel scene: Jesus leaves the synagogue – a symbol of the assembly of Israel and the Old Law – and enters into the house of Peter – a symbol of the assembly of the universal Church and the New Law. The Sabbath rest comes to an end in the evening, and after sunset, on the first day of the week, the people assemble at the door of Simon Peter. The true sicknesses and diseases that afflict people are not physical ones. They are spiritual ones. We should not fear those who can harm or kill the body, but only those who can kill the soul.

2. The Ministry of Peter’s Mother-in-Law: When we read the Gospel, we can sometimes focus on the Twelve Apostles and their interactions with Jesus. But it is important to read between the lines and think about how often Jesus was in Capernaum and stayed at Peter’s house. During his three years of public ministry in Galilee, Jesus made the three annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem, but spent most of his time in Galilee, with the house of Peter in Capernaum as his home. It is possible that Jesus spent over 50 weeks of his public ministry in Capernaum. And who provided meals and lodging for him and his disciples? Peter’s mother-in-law! She cooked and cleaned, welcomed them, and ministered to them. We do not know her name, but we do know her service. Jesus taught that when we minister to the poor, we minister to him. We can continue the ministry of Peter’s mother-in-law when we serve the poor, the sick, the homeless, the hungry, the thirsty, the imprisoned, and the homebound.

3. Everyone is Looking for You: The Gospel today ends with a phrase that summarizes the deepest longing of every human being: “Everyone is looking for you!” We are all looking for Jesus. We want to encounter him in the Holy Spirit to come to know the Father. “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for” (CCC, 27). Man is not just a rational and social animal; he is a religious being: “In many ways, throughout history down to the present day, men have given expression to their quest for God in their religious beliefs and behavior: in their prayers, sacrifices, rituals, meditations, and so forth. These forms of religious expression, despite the ambiguities they often bring with them, are so universal that one may well call man a religious being” (CCC, 28). As Psalm 105:3 says: “Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.” “Although man can forget God or reject him, He never ceases to call every man to seek him, so as to find life and happiness. But this search for God demands of man every effort of intellect, a sound will, ‘an upright heart,’ as well as the witness of others who teach him to seek God” (CCC, 30).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I have sought you and have found you. Help me to be a witness to others and help them seek you and find you.

Living the Word of God: As I contemplate the hidden, quiet ministry of Peter’s mother-in-law, what does this contemplation inspire? How can I serve and minister to others like her?