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First
Reading
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Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
Isaiah 40:21- 31 |
Psalm 47:1–12, 21c |
1 Corinthians 9:16–23 |
Mark 1:29–39
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The Bible is written largely in metaphoric language and the healing stories of Jesus among the people of Galilee are no exception. The stories convey the healing power of the Gospel over diseases of the body and the heart. Indeed modern medicine would claim that both are closely related and often hard to separate. Most of us know how difficult it often is to cleanse ourselves of jealousy, resentment, anger, hatred and guilt within our own hearts. Yet we also know that such demons can paralyze and consume us until we bring them under control and expel them. If we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, it means that our hearts must have the space to nurture the love and respect for others as well as ourselves. If our hearts are full of demons, we can neither love others nor ourselves.
The Gospels don’t pretend it was ever easy. Even for Jesus it was hard work banishing the demons of the heart and contending against the demons that did not wish to let go of their victim. Jesus unquestionably became tired and exhausted, and needed rest and refreshment. I suspect that is partly what today’s Gospel reflects.
The Gospels tell little about Jesus’ and the early disciples’ personal lives, so we don’t know how tall Jesus was or much about the disciples’ families. We do know, for example, that Jesus had siblings, but we don’t know all their names.1 We may assume Jesus had some nieces and nephews bur we don’t know how many. Peter’s mother in law is mentioned in Mark, Matthew, and Luke. The Gospel writers did not find it remarkable that Peter was married, but we have no mention of the name of Peter’s wife or if they had any children. Perhaps Peter’s children and Jesus’ nephews and nieces played volleyball together on the shores of Lake Galilee. It would make an interesting play and I’m tempted to write it, except I’m in hot water with the diocesan bureaucracy again, so I’m going to lie quiet for a while.
In today’s Gospel Jesus likely looked forward to the hospitality provided by Peter’s family. When he arrived, however, he found that Peter’s mother-in-law, the matriarch of the house, was ill. Jesus of course readily went into her room and healed her. We don’t know if it was the flu or just nervous exhaustion over preparing for Jesus and his retinue of disciples, along with a crowd of curious onlookers. The Gospels simply report that Peter’s mother in law became well, and took up her ministry of hospitality.
"Perhaps Jesus’ protested, “We will leave and let you rest”, but she was quick on her feet by this time. "Oh, no. Please stay and eat. I've prepared plenty of food beforehand. It's my gift to you, as I listen to what you have to say.” So she served the disciples and their guests. It seemed as if the whole town stopped by to see Jesus sometime during the evening. The last guest didn't leave till far into the night.
Peter awoke early the next day. He thought he must get Jesus and the rest of the disciples up. They all needed to eat a hearty breakfast, for even more people would press upon them today. Jesus was nowhere to be found. Peter began to panic. What would he tell the crowds who would likely arrive very soon? Peter organized a small search party and off they went into the hills. It wasn't very long before they found him, reclining on a flat outcrop of rock, looking down at the lake. "Jesus!" they exclaimed. "If you think the crowds were large yesterday, you should see what's stirring up now." "Yes," Jesus smiled weakly, " But I would hope that you also would have rejoiced in the signs of God working among those who are very close to you." Peter didn't seem to pay attention. He was gathering up Jesus' sack that held his breakfast. There was no time to lose.
It might not have happened exactly that way. Yet the Gospels are always contrasting those who understand the meaning of the Good News with those who get sidetracked by extraneous stuff of no consequence; those who notice signs of God among them, and those who are still beset with of the virus of demons and therefore haven't a clue of what is transpiring in front of them. Sometimes it was the disciples who understood, and the crowd that didn't; sometimes it was the other way around. The point isn't that Jesus loved a certain group of people more than others, or that type A people are more disposed to understand the gospel than type B. Rather the Gospel editors are cautioning those of us who think of ourselves as people of faith, that it is so easy to miss the obvious signs of the Holy Spirit, to ignore or misinterpret opportunities, gifts, and messages that God offers.
We don't have Peter’s mother-in-law’s name; perhaps Mark purposely leaves her name out, so it would be difficult to name a Saint’s day after her. Nonetheless, she is like so many who have no famous name but are examples for the ages, modeling what people full of Gospel Good News are happy to do.
Peter’s mother-in-law, our lady of hospitality: Oh yes we should have at least a stained glass window in her honor. With all of the cathedrals of Peter and Paul perhaps we should have at least one called the Cathedral Church of the Holy No Name Mother in Law. I think I will work on that if I ever get the chance.
And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
1Cf. Mark 3:31-232, Galatians 1:20
