Mark 1:29-39

Lectio (Reading)

Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.

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.

Meditatio (Reflecting)

Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.

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.

Oratio (Responding)

Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.

A lot of feminists love to use this reading to impugn Jesus, as a mysoginist, or at the very least as a represention of a society that “tells women that they have to serve men.” I suggest an alternative explanation.

Simon’s mother was very ill for many days, and she had a high fever. We have all been sick with a high fever, and we can all confirm that it is miserable. I believe that when Jesus rebuked the fever, it was likely immediately gone, as well as what was causing the fever. Can you imagine being completely, instantaneously, relieved of an illness like that? I bet she had never felt better in her life.

So my theory is that she, feeling amazing, wanted to do something in return for this man that just did a miracle for her. She was a mother and a wife, and the one thing she knew how to do was to take care of her family and thus welcoming Jesus into her family, she did the small thing she could in return…, and took care of Jesus, and the other members of her family. I do not see this as anything other than a beautiful response of love, to an amazing gift from God. It should not be contorted into anything other than that.

So I ask you, what gifts has God given you in your life? Have you recognized them for the miracles that they are? if not, why not? God is constantly working in our lives daily, and He is constantly healing all kinds of maladies. Do you recognize that? Today look for the “little” miracles that happen all the time, and use them as an opportunity to move closer to God, and to invite God into your life and family as well.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.

Oh lord help me today to recognize your gifts for what they are, incredible gifts of love. amen.