5th Sunday, Year B February 5, 2012
Call to Compassion
Most of us could improve our lives if we regularly took time to read the Scriptures. So
often we haven't the time, or don't make the time, to immerse ourselves in the Word of
God and to allow God to speak to us through the Scriptures.
A good place to start is the four Gospels in the New Testament and their accounts of
Jesus' life, death and resurrection. For, as St Paul summarises it, Jesus is "the image of
the invisible God" (Col I: 15). It is Jesus who teaches us most about God. The Gospel of
Mark is the earliest of the Gospels and it is this Gospel from which our readings for this
year are taken. It was written around the mid 60s of the first century, about thirty years
after Jesus' death, and it is probably the Gospel that is closest in factual detail in regard
to his teaching and activities.
One cannot but be struck by the compassion of Jesus. Mark's Gospel is replete with
stories of Jesus' miracles of healing. No one is turned away; no one falls outside of his
care and concern. We see through Mark's eyes what the psalmist means in today's psalm
(Ps 146), when it speaks of God's loving kindness especially for the broken-hearted.
The crowds were clearly amazed and astonished by Jesus' healing powers. Naturally,
everyone in need of healing wanted to come to him and be healed. Many people were
brought to him who were sick or debilitated in one way or another. Mark tells us that, on
this occasion, the whole town came and gathered round the door. But Jesus makes no
great claims for himself. All of this is not for his sake, but for the Reign of God. Indeed,
his message is that this is the Kingdom of God among them. It is the Kingdom of God's
abundant love for each and everyone, for them then, and for us now.
Mark tells us that at that end of this particular day Jesus slipped away. He was not
looking for time-out or for rest, but for time to pray. Indeed, in Mark's Gospel Jesus'
preaching, teaching, healing, and prayer are seamlessly integrated into his life and his
mission to proclaim the Reign of God.
St Francis of Assisi urged his followers, "Preach always," adding, "and if necessary, use
words." We who are disciples of Jesus are called to walk in his way, to follow his
example, to take the good news of the abundant love of God to every part of the world.
We too are called to preach the good news of God revealed in and through Jesus himself.
We too must preach always, in our actions first and foremost; in love for our neighbours,
compassion for the broken-hearted, and concern for the common good. And, like Jesus,
let all that we do be grounded in prayer.
Anne Hunt
© Redemptorists 2012
GOSPEL: Mark 1:29-39
He cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another.
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon
and Andrew. Now Simon's mother in- law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him
about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the
fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were
possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many
who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils,
but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely
place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when
they found him they said, 'Everybody is looking for you.' He answered, 'Let us go
elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that
is why I came.' And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and
casting out devils.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Stewardship Corner:
"Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he
prayed .... He told them, 'Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there
also. For this purpose have I come.” - Mark 1:35,38
Through today's Gospel reading we see a perfect example of stewardship. Jesus gives
His time to doing all that God wishes healing the sick and preaching. Yet Jesus also
makes time to be alone in prayer. It is only through prayer, through spending time with
God, that any of us can find the strength to do all that God wishes us to do. Be sure to
find time this week to be with God.
A Vocation View:
That-just as Jesus rose early to pray- we, too, may find time in our day to be with God
and to receive strength and nourishment from Him.
Call to Compassion
Most of us could improve our lives if we regularly took time to read the Scriptures. So
often we haven't the time, or don't make the time, to immerse ourselves in the Word of
God and to allow God to speak to us through the Scriptures.
A good place to start is the four Gospels in the New Testament and their accounts of
Jesus' life, death and resurrection. For, as St Paul summarises it, Jesus is "the image of
the invisible God" (Col I: 15). It is Jesus who teaches us most about God. The Gospel of
Mark is the earliest of the Gospels and it is this Gospel from which our readings for this
year are taken. It was written around the mid 60s of the first century, about thirty years
after Jesus' death, and it is probably the Gospel that is closest in factual detail in regard
to his teaching and activities.
One cannot but be struck by the compassion of Jesus. Mark's Gospel is replete with
stories of Jesus' miracles of healing. No one is turned away; no one falls outside of his
care and concern. We see through Mark's eyes what the psalmist means in today's psalm
(Ps 146), when it speaks of God's loving kindness especially for the broken-hearted.
The crowds were clearly amazed and astonished by Jesus' healing powers. Naturally,
everyone in need of healing wanted to come to him and be healed. Many people were
brought to him who were sick or debilitated in one way or another. Mark tells us that, on
this occasion, the whole town came and gathered round the door. But Jesus makes no
great claims for himself. All of this is not for his sake, but for the Reign of God. Indeed,
his message is that this is the Kingdom of God among them. It is the Kingdom of God's
abundant love for each and everyone, for them then, and for us now.
Mark tells us that at that end of this particular day Jesus slipped away. He was not
looking for time-out or for rest, but for time to pray. Indeed, in Mark's Gospel Jesus'
preaching, teaching, healing, and prayer are seamlessly integrated into his life and his
mission to proclaim the Reign of God.
St Francis of Assisi urged his followers, "Preach always," adding, "and if necessary, use
words." We who are disciples of Jesus are called to walk in his way, to follow his
example, to take the good news of the abundant love of God to every part of the world.
We too are called to preach the good news of God revealed in and through Jesus himself.
We too must preach always, in our actions first and foremost; in love for our neighbours,
compassion for the broken-hearted, and concern for the common good. And, like Jesus,
let all that we do be grounded in prayer.
Anne Hunt
© Redemptorists 2012
GOSPEL: Mark 1:29-39
He cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another.
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon
and Andrew. Now Simon's mother in- law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him
about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the
fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were
possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many
who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils,
but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely
place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when
they found him they said, 'Everybody is looking for you.' He answered, 'Let us go
elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that
is why I came.' And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and
casting out devils.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Stewardship Corner:
"Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he
prayed .... He told them, 'Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there
also. For this purpose have I come.” - Mark 1:35,38
Through today's Gospel reading we see a perfect example of stewardship. Jesus gives
His time to doing all that God wishes healing the sick and preaching. Yet Jesus also
makes time to be alone in prayer. It is only through prayer, through spending time with
God, that any of us can find the strength to do all that God wishes us to do. Be sure to
find time this week to be with God.
A Vocation View:
That-just as Jesus rose early to pray- we, too, may find time in our day to be with God
and to receive strength and nourishment from Him.
