Mk 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue he 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.
Simon and Andrew were brothers. They, and their families live together in the same house with their
father, Jonah. That is the culture among the Jews and other Mediterranean people. When the daughter
gets married, she lives in the house of her husband’s father.
In the Gospel, we are told that Simon’s mother-in-law was in the house of Simon and Andrew. This is
something unusual. She should be living in her husband’s house. If her husband had died, she should
be living in the house of one of her sons. Or if they had also died, she should go back to the house of
her father. So, why was she in the house of Simon? There is only one answer: she had no living family
member to take care of her. Her condition was worse than the fever she was suffering with. She was a
widow who needs help and care.
Once healed of fever, she immediately gets up to serve them. She knows too well that healing is not
only to bring back her health but to enable her to become once again active in serving the community.
The Gospel today describes the typical day of the Lord. He is always very busy, as He has to attend to
the needs of so many people coming to Him. It says that practically, “the whole town was gathered at
the door.” From where does Jesus get His power and strength for such an exceptionally hectic day?
The answer is prayer: “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where
he prayed.”
But His time of solitude and prayer is interrupted. The disciples come in search of Him, for everyone
is looking for Him. Surprisingly, He has no intention of staying for another day in Capernaum despite
the great demand from the people. He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may
preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”
Jesus is never parochial in outlook. He always has in mind the welfare all people. He is the Savior, not
only of the Jewish people, but of the whole humanity. Hence, in His public ministry, He is always on
the move, from one town to another, with a sense of urgency. He is acutely aware of the limited time
He has and the great work to be done. And finally, before He ascended to the Father, He entrusted to
His disciples the great responsibility of continuing His mission until His return: “Go into the whole
world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15).
In baptism we have become God’s children and disciples of Christ. In short, we share in the same
mission entrusted to His first disciples. We, too, are missionaries for God’s Kingdom. This is perfectly
in line with the celebration this year 2021, to commemorate the 500 years of Christianity in the
Philippines. Its theme, “Becoming Jesus’ Missionary Disciples”, reminds us that the gift of faith is
meant to be shared. Hence, the motto, “Gifted to Give.” May this celebration renew our awareness of
our missionary vocation and inflame our hearts with zeal to spread the Good News for the salvation of
all souls.
