For this day, the Gospel of Mark tells us about Jesus as He begins His healing ministry, performing his very first recorded account—healing Simon’s mother-in-law.
Saint Mark narrates that in Simon’s (Peter) house, his mother-in-law lays sick with a fever. They tell Jesus about her as soon as He enters this home. Jesus then grasps her hand, helps her up, and her fever disappears. Once her health gets restored, she “waited” on them, serving Jesus with His Apostles at the table.
My Reflection
1. What a grateful woman Peter’s mother-in-law was! Cured from her illness, she used her newfound health and life to serve Jesus, in a humble yet meaningful way she could. In those early days, it was not customarily allowed for a man, let alone a holy man like Jesus, to be served by a woman not of kin. But this woman’s desire to give thanks to the Lord knew no boundaries. She understood that God’s will restored her health so that she would use her new life to serve Him and other people.
How many of us were cured from an illness, whether light or grave, and saw our healing as a call from God? It is sad that we hear of some people who have survived a grave illness such as cancer, but instead of answering to His call and giving back to the Lord, they just go back to their old, secular ways, or sinful lifestyle; like a few celebrities I recall who went on cohabiting with sexual partners, and just ‘enjoying’ life.
God does not want us to simply have fun while we have the strength of health. He is calling us to use our health for a greater purpose; to serve Him and others. The will He has for those of good health, and for all of us who are alive, even if sickly, is that we use our lives for the good, glorifying Him and serving others, according to our own capacities.
2. The First Reading speaks of the call of God to the young Samuel. By the way, after reading it, I realized that it’s what the popular Catholic song Here I am, Lord was based on. “Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.” Now you’re singing with me!
Eventually, in the Book of Samuel, the High Priest Eli realizes that the young boy is being called by God. Samuel answers the Lord’s call, and God is with him as he grows up, and he becomes a prophet.
3. The Antiphon for the Responsorial Psalm echoes this, “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”
Notice that throughout the Readings, the theme is ‘being called by God, and responding to do His will.’
Jesus blessed and healed Simon’s mother-in-law. It enabled her to serve God and His people. But keep in mind that all of us do not know whether we would also be blessed to survive an illness, or how many more years we have and how much longer our good health remains. The Readings teach us that while we still have the strength and vigor of a youth like Samuel, we must answer God’s call immediately, and with much dedication, serve Him in any form He is asking us to. If like Simon’s mother-in-law, we have survived an illness, let us not waste that chance on sinfulness, or waste the time on worldliness like attachment to materials things, heavy use of social media, and other vices or unholy habits. Make good use of each day as an opportunity to respond to God’s call. Most of all, remember to serve the Lord out of our love for Him, our gratefulness for His graces, and our holy desire to get to Heaven someday.
4. I too have survived danger years ago. It’s one of my reasons for sharing and writing about my Catholic Faith. It took me a while to realize that. Now it’s clear to me that one of my callings from God is to write.
Knowing and understanding what God desires of us is truly important, yet often overlooked. Amidst all the noises and distractions in life, it takes constant prayer on our part to be receptive to what God is really telling us. And whenever we hear God calling us, and we feel the Holy Spirit prompting us, it is through prayer and the Sacraments that we would have the strength and faith to answer the Lord like Samuel did, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).
5. We read in the rest of this day’s Gospel that Jesus not only healed those suffering from physical illnesses, but those afflicted with oppression and possession by evil spirits, demons, and the devil. Those are the other forms of maladies that many people suffer from, even in present day. Again, only Jesus can overcome and drive away these evil spirits. If or when a person will be cured of his physical sickness or spiritual affliction depends only on God’s will. But we believe that God listens to every prayer. So together, let us pray for all those who suffer, and ask for God’s mercy and healing to come upon them.
Mass Readings:
1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20; Psalm 40:2 and 5, 7-8A, 8-B9, 10; John 10:27; Mark 1:29-39
A simple prayer I wrote for the day:
Lord, grant me a healthy body and mind, and a longer life, if it is your holy will, so that I may be able to serve You more.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
Mama Mary, pray for us!
Amen.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas, the country's Pontifical and Catholic university, with an AB in Legal Management and minor units in Theology.
As an unmarried woman, prayer holds a central place in her daily life, with a focus on the Rosary and the Divine Office. Embodying her faith, she emphasizes the growth of her inner spiritual life, guided by the wisdom of Carmelite spirituality.
God manifested to her in a unique and radical manner, which made her know Who He truly is and led her to total surrender of her life to Him.
She has studied the Bible with her family, developing a particular fondness for the Old Testament.
Her adorable and intelligent toy poodle is a delightful companion in her daily life, bringing warmth and joy to her home.
Her hobbies include reading about everything, learning Japanese and German, listening to music and playing the flute.
In her leisure time, she enjoys gaming on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS, iOS and OS, and collecting things related to PlayStation and Nintendo.
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Thank you Ms. Mary Kris for sharing your inspiring Gospel reflection.
God Bless you always.
Beautiful reflection
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us Ms. Mary Kris. It really inspired me and made me reflect also especially the word of God. Hoping to read more of your reflections. ???
Thank you Princess Jane! I’m glad to know that. Let us pray that the Lord continues to inspire us all. May God bless you and your family.