Mark 1:29-39 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:29-39 on biblegateway.com
Verse 29As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Verse 30Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. Verse 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
Verse 32That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. Verse 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. Verse 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. Verse 35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. Verse 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. Verse 37When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." Verse 38He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." Verse 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Devotion
It is sometimes easy to think that being touched or healed by Jesus would empower us to do amazing things. And while this is certainly true on occasion, it is much more often true that being touched by Jesus’ presence simply enables us to serve others, and to resume our usual tasks. This understanding guides me when I look at the first part of today’s gospel reading. Simon‘s mother-in-law is healed by Jesus, and instead of doing something incredible in response, she simply serves them and cooks supper for them, resuming her typical routine. This seemingly unimportant and mundane story can be very important in our faith lives. Our experiences in church, in times of devotions, and in many other ways, often are not intended to enable us to do some earth-shattering deeds, but they help us to simply serve others as we go about our usual duties.
Prayer
God of all mercy and justice, help us to know and trust that your presence and grace are with us to enable our service to others. Give us your strength, presence, and love in all that we do. Amen.