Reflection for 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
In this Sunday’s gospel we get a sense that Jesus was “on the go” and busy…last Sunday Jesus expelled an evil spirit in the synagogue, and this week we continue to follow Jesus, learning that immediately afterwards Jesus cured Simon’s mother-in-law…late into the evening, after sunset, Jesus kept curing those with various afflictions – this seems like a whirlwind day for Jesus. Instead of resting, we read about Jesus: “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went to a deserted place, where he prayed.” (Mk1:35)
What a great example that Jesus sets for us! Who could possibly be busier than Jesus? Yet we see that Jesus takes time out to pray and to worship at the synagogue. This is a great gospel passage to meditate on, especially if we are tempted to allow our busy schedules to prevent us from getting to Mass virtually or in person on a Saturday evening or Sunday or not to take time out each day for communicating through prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ.
What happens when we don’t pray regularly and miss Mass? The answer is many things happen…we may “burn-out” from our busyness…we may be weakened and give into temptations easily…we lose touch with our guiding Light, our Lord Jesus Christ through the storms of life…it may affect our relationships, our health and overall well-being. We all need to go off to a deserted place and pray. Keeping in mind that a deserted place might just be the quiet of our room before the rest of the family rises…or going to our Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel to spend some time with Jesus…or going for a walk early in the morning or evening. Find what works best…if you have not done so already. Maybe you like to talk to Jesus…or just sit quietly and listen, resting in his presence…or pray the rosary…or meditate on the Scriptures…or perhaps you like to do a variety of types of prayer…the key is to pray!
May God bless us always!
Deacon Mike