WEDNESDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME GOSPEL, COMMENTARY AND READING. “EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR YOU” (Mk 1:29–39).
GOSPEL OF WEDNESDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Mk 1:29–39
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.
GOSPEL COMMENTARY
- Today’s Gospel narrates the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law and many people who were sick, and those who were possessed by the devil.
- These miraculous and portentous deeds show the greatness of Jesus’ compassion and mercy and clearly demonstrate that He is the Messiah, announced by the prophets.
- It is noteworthy that Jesus did not only attend to the bodily illness of the people, but also their spiritual illness. We too could call on Jesus to heal not only our physical diseases but also the “fever” of our sins and vices, for in the end, our spiritual well-being is what matters most.
- Jesus dedicated the entire day till evening attending to the needs of the people. Where did he get all the strength to carry out his work? “In the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.”
- May we also imitate Jesus’ example of starting the day with a loving conversation with the Father.
- At the same time, like the crowds who yearn to be with Jesus -“Every one is searching for you” – seek Jesus all throughout the day through short prayers, an elevation of the heart and mind to God in the tabernacle: in short, seeking God’s presence in our daily activities.
Stay safe always. A great day ahead and God bless! Fr. Rolly Arjonillo
Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, o Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done, and gain strength to do what they have seen. Through our Lord.
Collect prayer 1st week in Ordinary Time
VIDEO COMMENTARY
TOPIC: CAN PRAYER KEEP YOU JOYFUL AND OBEDIENT TO THE WILL OF GOD DESPITE YOUR DIFFICULTIES?
In today’s gospel reading (Mark 1:29-39), we see Jesus to be a very busy person. His day was full. He went to Simon Peter’s house to heal his mother-in-law. He devoted time to heal people with various illnesses, along with those possessed by demons. The reading says that the whole town was there in front of the house. Presumably, His disciples were also very busy trying to organize and put order into the multitudes. And presumably, after a long day, He and His disciples were very tired. The reading also says that Jesus and His disciples were to go to the next town to do the same the next day.What kept Jesus going? What was His secret? Does He ever get tired? We, too, can sustain the energy we have every start of day until the end of the day doing our daily activities. What’s more – we will always feel light and joyful no matter what difficulties and challenges there are to confront if you do what Jesus does – properly.
READING FROM WRITINGS OF SAINTS
Knowledge of the Father consists in the self-revelation of the Son
by St. Irenaeus
No one can know the Father apart from God’s Word, that is, unless the Son reveals him, and no one can know the Son unless the Father so wills. Now the Son fulfils the Father’s good pleasure: the Father sends, the Son is sent, and he comes. The Father is beyond our sight and comprehension; but he is known by his Word, who tells us of him who surpasses all telling. In turn, the Father alone has knowledge of his Word. And the Lord has revealed both truths. Therefore, the Son reveals the knowledge of the Father by his revelation of himself. Knowledge of the Father consists in the self-revelation of the Son, for all is revealed through the Word.
The Father’s purpose in revealing the Son was to make himself known to us all and so to welcome into eternal rest those who believe in him, establishing them in justice, preserving them from death. To believe in him means to do his will.
Through creation itself the Word reveals God the Creator. Through the world he reveals the Lord who made the world. Through all that is fashioned he reveals the craftsman who fashioned it all. Through the Son the Word reveals the Father who begot him as Son. All speak of these things in the same language, but they do not believe them in the same way. Through the law and the prophets the Word revealed himself and his Father in the same way, and though all the people equally heard the message not all equally believed it. Through the Word, made visible and palpable, the Father was revealed, though not all equally believed in him. But all saw the Father in the Son, for the Father of the Son cannot be seen, but the Son of the Father can be seen. The Son performs everything as a ministry to the Father, from beginning to end, and without the Son no one can know God. The way to know the Father is the Son. Knowledge of the Son is in the Father, and is revealed through the Son. For this reason the Lord said: No one knows the Son except the Father; and no one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son has revealed him. The word “revealed” refers not only to the future – as though the Word began to reveal the Father only when he was born of Mary; it refers equally to all time. From the beginning the Son is present to creation, reveals the Father to all, to those the Father chooses, when the Father chooses, and as the Father chooses. So, there is in all and through all one God the Father, one Word and Son, and one Spirit, and one salvation for all who believe in him.
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