5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
The readings for this Sunday ask us to reflect on Jesus’ power to heal us, both physically and spiritually. In the first reading, Job laments that he is experiencing so much misery and despair that he find’s that is just too hard to keep going. But then in the psalm we are reminded to “Praise the Lord, who heals the broken hearted” as he gives us the strength to go on. Paul’s reflections in the second reading on his role as an apostle underscores the theme of selfless service and sacrifice. His commitment to preaching the Gospel without seeking personal gain highlights the Christian call to serve others whenever they need our help and not to look for anything in return. In the Gospel reading Jesus comes to Peter’s house, he finds that Peter’s mother-in-law is sick, and he heals her. The whole town hears of her healing and rushes all their sick to Peter’s house. The house is surrounded, and so is Jesus. Now, all of a sudden, Jesus seems to have become a one-man hospital the man who heals all their ills. He is so besieged that he can’t even pray in the house. He has to head out into the countryside secretly in the dark of morning. When his absence is detected, his disciples go looking for him. when they find him, they tell him “Everybody is looking for you!”
When the people of Capernaum saw Christ they saw man of power amongst them; when we see Jesus with the eyes of faith we realise that he is the Son of God our saviour who came on earth in order to make us the family of God. We know who Jesus really is and we know the full meaning of his mission. We see that mission completed by his death on the cross and his resurrection. By his death he conquered death by his resurrection he opened the gates of heaven for us and he shows all of us his followers the road we must take to get to those gates. The road we have to take is not easy and many people have chosen other roads that lead in other directions . But we believe that there are people like us out there looking for Jesus and they are finding and following him and as a result of their witness we follow Jesus as well. Jesus is alive in our midst through the lives of faith we have together. He is our way, our truth and our life. Turn our backs on him, and our spirits, minds and hearts, might just shrivel up and die for lack of spiritual nourishment. We have come to know that the things of God are built on solid foundations of the rock of faith instead of the things of the world that are built on sand and have no lasting value. The interaction between Jesus and those he heals, as well as the actions of the disciples, highlight the theme of community as we make our Christian journey.
It shows how faith is lived and experienced within the community, and how the community of believers plays a role in supporting, nurturing, and participating in the mission of the Church as it brings the faith to others. We are challenged to look beyond the surface, to see the deeper spiritual significance of Jesus’ life and actions, and to embrace our particular role in continuing his mission in the world today. As we reflect on our mission within the church we are invited to deepen our relationship with God and to recommit ourselves to bring his message to the people wherever we are in this troubled world.
Fullerton T 