Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time , Year B
Feb 8, 2015
Gospel Mk 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue (1)
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 (2).
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.
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 (2).
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.
The
difficult words
(1) The synagogue
is the place in a village where the Jewish people met to pray.
(2)
demons are evil spirits.
Reflection
Mark describes for us how
Jesus' day begins and ends with taking care of others. He heals Simon's
mother-in-law, he cures others who are sick, he drives out demons from those
who are possessed. He comforts the downhearted and discouraged. The crowds
follow him wherever he goes. Even when he goes off to a lonely place to pray
and be renewed, Jesus is tracked down by his disciples who say, "Everybody
is looking for you!" Without complaint, Jesus responds at once by heading
for the nearby villages to heal and preach and comfort.
If we could go back in time
and follow Jesus around for a few days, we would be exhausted in a hurry.
Though Jesus always took time for prayer, he was busy all day teaching,
healing, and loving others. People came to him constantly, leaving him with
barely enough time to eat. Can you imagine the love with which he looked at
people? Or the hope he brought to those who were suffering? This Sunday’s
Gospel describes Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus' love made her so
grateful and joyful that she immediately got up and began to wait on them.
God’s love for us in Jesus is the Good News! Even though life can be very sad
and painful sometimes, even though we get sick and suffer, we believe that God
is with us through it all. The Good News is needed just as much today in our
world.
As believers in Jesus, we are
called today to be good news for everyone, reaching out and helping them as Jesus did. Practice
this throughout the week by noticing the needs of others and offering to help
them.
Discussion
1.
Where did Jesus go after he left the synagogue?
2.
Who was sick?
3.
What did Jesus do for her?
4.
What happened after sunset?
5.
What was Jesus doing when Simon found him the next
early morning?
6.
Where did Jesus pray?
7.
How often do you pray?
8.
Where and when do you often pray?
After receiving communion, you can say this prayer
silently to yourself. If you have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still
say this prayer
because of your desire to receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus Christ, in
communion with the whole Church, I thank
you for coming into my heart. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to remind us
how much you love us. Through this communion, help us all to live as your children and together bring the Good
News to the world.
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle
Source: http://www.sadlierreligion.com - http://www.sermons4kids.com/ - http://www.usccb.org - Magnifikid
For further reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap7QYWwS-bU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaBYU53e0_k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaBYU53e0_k