5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Fr. Leo
In our passage from Mark’s gospel, Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law. Soon everyone is looking for him. All want to be healed and have their demons cast out. If Jesus were here bodily this morning, there is not one of us who would not get in line to be touched by his divine presence.
Interesting then, that Jesus who is communing with the Father from whom his power comes in the Holy Spirit, says to his disciples when they find him. “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also.”
Jesus' direction to move on raises the question of the relationship between his healing and his preaching. How are they connected, and is there a balance to be found in Jesus' preaching and healing?
I would argue there must be a balance. If Jesus is only a doctor of our physical ills, then we seek him only to be physically well. We will then seek him that he may serve us and make us forever physically healthy. Is that what faith is all about?
There is no doubt that the gospel transforms us in mind, body and soul. The greatest of these is soul. Here is where our passage from Job is helpful. Our passage from Job reminds us that Job, who was good, suffered. However, through his suffering he came to realize that if good things come from God, so too might painful things. Job learned that faith is faithfulness to God whether we are doing well or not. A lesson made obvious in Christ’s crucifixion.
Paul too speaks of sacrificing himself for the gospel. Our faith in God is a call to be open to his transforming presence. Faith is confidence that through all, Christ is transforming not just our bodies, but our minds and souls as well.
As we pray for health, let us be confident that God is bringing us fullness of heath in mind, body and soul. It may not seem that way to us, but from God’s perspective, all things do work unto good for those who love Him.