Rector's Sermon
5 February 2012

First Reading	Psalm	Epistle	Gospel
Isaiah 40:21—31	Psalm 147:1–12, 21c	1 Corinthians 9:16–23	Mark 1:29–39

       It had been a tumultuous few days. Peter had invited this new rabbi and his friends to their town. Peter just raved about him, as if he were the greatest rabbi of all. Rumors had already spread that this rabbi was some sort of miracle worker. She thought to herself, “Well, he has certainly changed my son-in-law from a fisherman and one who had never been a particularly enthusiastic or studious student of their local rabbi to one very interested in the lessons this rabbi from Nazareth taught.” Nazareth? Yes of all places Nazareth, not a place ever noted to produce learned rabbis. Yet at the Sabbath worship, this rabbi, called Jesus, had impressed them all. Boy, could he teach, and make the scriptures come to life as no one they had ever heard.  Then as the service was ending there was this poor man who had been troubled for years, and no one had been able to help. He approached Jesus and Jesus calmed him and healed him. Soon people from miles away came to see this rabbi and crowded around the house asking for him.

       She had done the best she could, giving people from away fresh water, a little meal to tide them over, and some comfort as they waited for Jesus to appear. However, it got to be too much for her. She wasn’t young any more, and she simply became exhausted, got a severe headache and high fever, and she finally collapsed on her bed, weeping that she wasn’t able to keep up and help all those who came looking for him.

       That’s how Jesus found her, with her head face down, ashamed that she was not able to provide all that had been expected of her. Jesus closed the door behind him shutting out the noise of the commotion outside. It was just she and he. He smiled, and said some words that took the entire burden, all the weight and shame of the previous couple days away. She knew that there was indeed a special grace about him, and that when he told her that God loved her and wished her well, she believed. Maybe it was just for a couple of minutes or a half an hour. She just knew that after he had prayed with her, laid his hand upon her forehead and gave her his blessing that she was fresh and energized to go and provide hospitality again. It was if she were young again and given the energy of a new life. Yes, her son-in-law was right. Jesus was a remarkable rabbi, and perhaps even more than that. Through him she had a glimpse of a new life, a new world, as had been long promised with the coming of the messiah.

       On the other hand, Peter and his friends didn’t seem to notice the change in her. They were too busy telling others about the wonders and signs that Jesus could do. Come over and see; he will astound you with his power, they insisted. They kept it up until it was dark and all went home for supper, but promised to return tomorrow to see Jesus perform more feats of power.

       Early in the morning they hustled to get Jesus ready for the crowds. James and John helped cook a big breakfast to get them through the day. But when Peter came to wake Jesus, he found that Jesus was nowhere to be seen. Peter, James John and Andrew split up and frantically rushed around in a desperate attempt to hunt him down. Peter finally found him, out under a quiet grove of trees overlooking the fog-covered lake, deep in prayer. “Jesus!” Peter exclaimed, “we’ve all been looking for you. The crowd loves you. The size of the crowd you will get today will be tremendous.” 

       “Yes," Jesus replied with a pensive look. They wish to see someone perform for them.  But I had hoped that you would instead see signs of God working among us." Peter didn't hear. He was gathering up Jesus' knapsack. There was no time to lose. Jesus finally stopped Peter in his tracks. “No, I’m not going back to please the crowd. It is time we go on to the next village. I came to teach and enlighten, not to entertain.”

       Probably, it didn't happen 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 shallow consequence; those who notice signs of God among them with those who are so caught up in themselves that they haven't a clue of what is transpiring in front of them. It is ironic how the devils and troubled ones could recognize something in Jesus others could not see. Sometimes it is the disciples who understand, and the crowd that doesn't. Yet, often it is the close disciples who don't get it and people on the periphery who perceive God's good news of fresh life. Mark is fond of contrasting individuals like Peter's mother-in-law with those insiders the world would ordinarily consider much wiser and stronger. 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 and just hunker after the superficial things of life.

      Peter's mother-in-law understood that a response to the Gospel involves service. Her service was the honored gift of hospitality, a gift that has never become obsolete. Peter, on the other hand, couldn't get his mind off the increasing approval of the crowds. We don't have her name; perhaps Mark purposely leaves her name out. As Jesus moved on and the crowds dispersed, her name seemed to have been lost.  Nonetheless, this woman with no name or other identification save that she is related by marriage to Peter, was not only touched by the good News of God, but responded by modeling what people full of good news are called to do: going about their business, with kindness, proficiency, and unpretentious generosity. 

       And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.