Reflection for Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany Feb 7, 2021

Gospel of Mark 1:29-39

After Jesus and his disciples 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.

The Epistle, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 sets the stage for Mark’s Gospel for this week.

Paul had a special calling to go forth and proclaim Jesus to the world. He was called to be what we call these days “a travelling evangelist”. But while Paul’s calling was a special one the essence of his calling is not special at all, each of us is called to be an evangelist. We, like Paul, are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ and tell others about the Savior who has come to us, the Savior who has affected our lives, the God who has made us whole and who is even now changing us.

As we read this week’s Gospel, we can see that Simon and Andrew were also evangelist. They went with Jesus as he traveled throughout Galilee. As Jesus traveled his ministry involved the return of those cut off from community to a full role in the community. Those who have been seriously ill in our own time will understand the joy of simply being back as a participant in the everyday functions of communal life. There is nothing ordinary about life in community. Jesus wields the power of God Almighty to bring about participation, it is God’s will for us to be serving in community with others. Right now, it seems difficult to function as the group we have been used to. We are still a community but one that interacts differently. We have had to listen to God’s words and understand that by keeping the faith we will be able to return to the community we were. That was why Simon’s mother-in-law needed to be healed so she could get back to being part of the community that was important to her and performing what she felt were her duties.

 

Let us Pray: As we go out into a world in need of healing. We have been given all that we need to be God’s messengers of peace. Go now into the world, rejoicing in God’s presence with you. Bring the news of peace and hope to all you meet. AMEN.