The Liturgy of the Word for this Sunday presents us with lots of suffering. Job in the First Reading is restless, complaining about his misery as he has lost most of his family, all his livestock, even his own health. He cries out in pain, “Is not man’s life on earth drudgery?”
In the Gospel, Jesus heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and the word about Him spreads quickly in the neighborhood. After sundown, the time that traditionally confronts evil, they brought to Jesus “all who were ill or possessed by demons.” St. Mark tells us that the “whole town was gathered around the door.” Jesus cured the sick and cast out demons. The power that Jesus exercises is not diminished by darkness but rather offers a way to encounter God.
Another very significant aspect of this passage is the opportunity to pray, to remain in close and intimate relationship with His Father that takes Jesus away from everybody and to allow Him to enter into the “prayer process” all alone, without any interruptions and distractions. Mark tells us that Simon and his companions “hunted” for Jesus, and when they found Him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Without question there were many who had brought others -sick and possessed – to Jesus with hope to heal them as well. Surprisingly, when the disciples searched Him out, Jesus didn’t respond by exciting “Hallelujahs!” but rather by a very simple statement, “Let us go on to the nearby villages, so that I may preach there also; for this purpose I have come.” Jesus had come to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Next weekend, February 13th and 14th in our diocese, we will conduct the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal- “One Faith, One Family”. This year, the Appeal aims to support and care for the retired priests, for the education of our future priests, the ministries of Catholic Charities, Catholic schools that serve the communities in greater need where the Catholic population is not yet large enough to ensure full enrollment and support of Catholic Education and Evangelization. These ministries need the support of everyone in the diocese; their expense is beyond the regular operating costs of the diocese. The theme, “One Faith, One Family”, celebrates the bond we share as believers and reminds us of the commandment to love one another as God loves us. God calls this family together, as we are reminded when we pray Eucharistic Prayer III, “Listen graciously to the prayers of this family, whom you have summoned before you.” Just as families are linked through generations, so, too, is our Catholic family connected through time.
On behalf of Bishop Estévez, I invite every family in our parish to consider giving a gift in proportion to the blessings God has poured out for you. While gift amounts are suggested, every family is asked to prayerfully decide what gift is appropriate for your blessings and circumstances to support these essential ministries of our diocese.
The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the Passion of Our Lord. In the upcoming days we are invited to reflect more deeply upon the Passion of the Lord with the beginning of Lent (Wednesday, February 17th), devotionals like Stations of the Cross during Lent, as well as a celebration of the World Day of the Sick on Thursday, February 11th. In observance of this special day, during daily Mass on Thursday we will have a communal celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick.
May the Lord bless you this upcoming week! With prayers, Fr. Andy