"He grasped her hand and helped her up"
Mark 1: 29-39
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020424.cfm
It is an interesting, verified
fact that Pope Pius XII who had the unfortunate fate of being elected during a
very dark time in world history, was convinced that Adolf Hitler was possessed
by Satan. The level of destruction, violence
and hatred that Hitler encouraged would indicate this strongly, as was true in
the case of Stalin and other ruthless dictators during the Second World War. I personally wonder about some of the same today.
That being so Pope Pius is
alleged to have attempted the rite of exorcism from Rome, facing Berlin, over
Hitler. Apparently, he did so repeatedly
but it seems to have not had an immediate effect. There may be specific reasons
for this, according to professional exorcists, but it is one example of this
dark power. There is a reason why the
Church reminds us about sin and temptation by naming three sources of
temptation: the world, the flesh and the devil.
We live in an imperfect world, flawed through human weakness but there
is still much reason for hope.
Christ has overcome this power
of darkness, and his death and resurrection is the key to that success and to
our salvation. In Christ there is only light and life. Our Gospel this Sunday and the scene in the
synagogue at Capernaum is one such example.
Here we find Jesus in the
ministry of healing, exorcism and preaching which Mark indicates that our Lord
was very busy about such things daily. In fact, it seems that Mark here
presents Jesus not only as exorcist, which we saw in previous Sunday Gospels
but now as the Divine Physician who heals even the most ordinary conditions. That is, God cares not only about the big
things but also the small.
Jesus comes as healer as he
compassionately reaches out to Peter’s mother-in-law who was likely a widow
considering her living in Peter’s house. Jesus, “grasped her hand, and helped
her up” as the fever left her. Many
heard of this and as the Sabbath day ended after sunset, the whole town was
gathered at the door with the sick and desperate. He cured many and drove out demons.
While we may be tempted to look
more critically at this through the eyes of modern medical science as in
dismissing what was thought to be demonic possession but were symptoms of a
medical condition. However, the Gospels many times emphasize Jesus’
confrontations with the forces of darkness.
The time in which our Lord
lived was a dark age. With the force of
ruthless Rome whose heavy hand kept the population under control, the poverty
that most lived in, and all around indications of disease and ineffective ways
to heal, the ability of Christ to bring hope and healing became a powerful
force for optimism. It is no wonder that once the word got out about Simon’s mother-in-law,
the whole town desperately gathered at the door of the place where Jesus was,
pleading for his help.
Our first reading from the Book
of Job while poor Job laments his human condition as hopeless sets up a kind of
backdrop for what Jesus found in the social conditions of his time.
The Gospel passage further
tells us that as Jesus went off to pray, Simon Peter and others pursue Jesus
stating: “Everyone is looking for you.” While we imagine that the compassion of
Jesus had no limits it still indicates as our Lord says, “Let us go to the
nearby villages that I may preach there also” that his mission was greater than
one location or simply to work healings all day. He continued to preach the good news and
drive out other demons throughout Galilee.
Here Mark shows a kind of frenetic Jesus who wasted no time in the
active fulfillment of his daily ministry yet, the time for personal prayer
alone was paramount to Jesus’ mission.
It is a good lesson for all of us as to the absolute importance of our regular
encounter with God, our time for daily prayer. It brings forward to us the
importance of this practice for those who live very busy lives; lives that
often can be distracting and disjointed.
The very nature of our faith is
to be sent out on the mission Christ has given to his Church. We see this in everything the Church does,
and Pope Francis has made it clear that we cannot be a Church closed in on
itself. What God has done for humanity
is sending his Son must be known by the world and like Jesus in the Gospel
today we move out and “go to the nearby villages.”
For most of us, for myself as
priest, we begin here at home. “Going
out” may mean my own family and extended family, our neighbors, those we know
who have left the Church, those we work with, those in our classrooms and even
something as simple as prayer before a meal in a restaurant. We can evangelize in both silent witness and
in our behavior and words. It might mean
developing a more active and focused prayer and sacramental life or renewing my
commitment in your marriage or other vocation.
How can I combat evil that I
see? How can I live a life of virtue
that is an example to others of who I say I am?
Jesus’ ministry of a preacher and healer is the mission we are called to
where we find ourselves. I can forgive
rather than seek pay back; I can love rather than hate; be honest rather than
try to hide something.
May Jesus be our model as we
all share as loyal sons and daughters in the life, he has gained for us. As the
late Pope Benedict XVI said: “The Church does three things – prays, serves
the poor, and evangelizes.” Our privilege is to share in that mission.
Peace to you
Keep your family safe, O Lord,
with unfailing care,
that, relying solely on the
hope of heavenly grace,
they may be defended always by
your protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy
Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
(Collect of Mass)
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