Sunday, February 8, 2009

Word of the day:
Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Gospel
Mk 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.

Thoughts from the cornfield:
I commented on this reading a few weeks ago when it appeared in the weekday readings. At our staff meetings we always talk about the upcoming Gospel reading for Sunday. Immediately the women home in on "Then the fever left her and she waited on them," with the remark "isn't that just like a man." What? It doesn't say the men told her to wait on them. Could it just be that maybe Peter's mother-in-law was healed so completely that she was able to resume her daily work immediately? I guess it's all in how you view things. My grandmother loved taking care of people. I can see her in this passage. Upon being healed, she would lead you to the kitchen for homemade ravioli. Let's lighten up, people, and quit looking for offense behind every door.

God bless our troops!

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