Sunday, February 4, 2018

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time


Today’s Scriptures offer many people to ponder: Job bemoaning his life, Paul excited about his call to preach, and Jesus busy reaching out helping others, and then trying to get some time in prayer alone.

One whose story can help us is Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, sick with a fever.  Mark tells us that others immediately tell Jesus about her.  In response, Mark says Jesus “approached, grasped her hand and helped her up.  Then the fever left her and she waited on them.”

What a beautiful, simple description that promises so much to us.  We desire to know Jesus better.  We yearn to have Jesus to heal us.  We want to be of service to the Lord in some significant way.

Jesus is aware of what lays us low at times.  He no longer needs anyone to tell Him. He wants to be with us as He was with Simon’s mother-in-law. The Lord will always offers us a hand.  All we need do is reach out and let him grasp us.  He will help us up.  The word Mark uses is the same word used for what the Father did for Jesus at the resurrection.  Jesus will help us up by giving us new life.

Like Jesus, take some time to pray today.  Imagine Jesus seeing you, reaching out to you, grasping your hand, helping you up.  Look carefully at His face.  See the love and total acceptance there, along with the joy that He has for you.  Feel the warmth of His smile and the strength of His grasp as He lifts you up.  Listen then as He tells you how you can best serve Him today.  Rest with Him a while and then go and greet Him in others.

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