A REFLECTION ON MARK 1: 29-31:
JESUS HEALS PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW and MANY OTHERS
By Fr. Arnel Espenilla, Chaplain of Chinese General Hospital
Scripture Passage:
29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying with a fever, and immediate they spoke to Jesus about her. 31 And he came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her and she waited on them. 32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And he healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.
Reflection
Jesus heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law
The writers of the gospels tell us that Peter was coming from a Synagogue in Capernaum and entered the house of Peter and Andrew. Jesus who was at the Synagogue was most likely taught the people in length about the kingdom of God and probably healed sick people who went to the synagogue and sick people who were brought to Jesus. Jesus after teaching the people and curing the sick was tired and hungry and was looking for a place to take a much needed rest and to fill his empty stomach with food. And Peter probably recommended to Jesus to go to their house to take a rest and eat.
However, before Jesus can refresh his tired body and satisfy his hunger, he was told that the mother-in-law of Peter was sick. Instead of satisfying his physical needs, Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus instead of minding his own needs to rest and eat, he minded first the sickness of other people.
As a chaplain in the hospital, many times after doing my daily regular duties, that is, to celebrate the Holy Mass, hear confessions at the chapel, preside at the Holy Hour, visit the patients in their rooms, do paper works at the chaplaincy office and other related activities, I went to my room for a much needed rest and fill my empty stomach with food, requests for anointing of the sick came through telephone calls or text messages. Instead of satisfying my physical needs, I granted the requests for the anointing of the sick. Instead of minding my own needs and interests, I minded the needs and interests of the sick and their families.
Peter’s mother-in-law who was healed by Jesus did not only feel the healing power of Jesus but she also felt the concern and love of Jesus because most probably she knew that Jesus was there to take a rest and have a meal. The mother-in-law of Peter and perhaps all the people in the house of Peter felt the mercy and compassion of Jesus since Jesus did not mind his own needs and interests but minded the need of Peter’s mother-in-law.
The mother-in-law of Peter after feeling the care and love of Jesus by healing her, waited on them, meaning she served Jesus and his disciples while having their meals. She served in gratitude to Jesus for His mercy, compassion and love in curing her sickness.
The sick people whom I administered the sacraments of anointing of the sick, reconciliation and holy communion and perhaps their families did not only feel the healing power of the sacraments given to them, but most likely they also feel my concern and care for them. The sick people were very much grateful to God for the sacraments they received and most probably they were also grateful to me for being an instrument in dispensing God’s mercy and love to them.
Jesus Heals Many Sick and Possessed
The gospels tell us that it was evening after sunset when people brought to Jesus those who were ill and possessed by demons. And Jesus cured these sick people and drove out many demons.
It was already evening when people brought sick people to Jesus, Jesus could have told the people to come back the following day because it was time for Him to take a rest after a tiresome activities during the day. But Jesus instead of telling the people to come back, He healed the sick even if it was time for him already to have a night’s rest.
The sick people who were brought to Jesus most likely were not all Jews but some probably were Samaritans and Gentiles. Jesus could have told those not Jews to go home because He would only heal the Jews, but Jesus healed all of them not minding whether they are Jews or not.
As hospital chaplain and minister of God’s healing power, most of the time I am tempted to tell those who request for anointing and the other sacraments during ‘unholy hour’ of the night when I am already resting to wait until the following day to grant their request. But all the time I did not tell them to wait for the following day but I immediately granted their requests.
Sometimes, I granted request for sick calls and when I am about to start to administer the anointing of the sick, family members of the sick told me that the sick were not Catholics. Instead of reprimanding the family members why they called me, I politely told them that I cannot administer the sacraments but instead we can just together pray and ask God to heal the sick persons.
The sick persons and family members whenever I granted their requests for the sacraments even in the middle of the night, did not only feel the mercy and love of God to them and the healing power of the sacraments but they also feel my concern and care for them because their request were granted.
Sick persons who are not Catholics and their family were very much grateful after praying and asking God to cure them even if they knew that I am a catholic priest. They did not only feel the mercy and love of God for them but they also feel my concern and care for them.
