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
Simon's mother-in-law was unable to meet the needs of her guests. She was unable to serve because something was holding her back. In her case, it was a physical sickness, one that left her incapacitated. But at the touch of Christ's hand, her fever left her and her ability to serve was restored to her. Her encounter with Christ enabled her to serve once again.
There are also parts of our lives that hold us back from our call and ability to serve the world. It may not be a physical illness, but it may be fear, previous obligations, excuses, bad attitudes or ignorance. Any of these can be just as debilitating when it comes to living out our call to serve. We must let ourselves be touched by Christ. When we are, we too can be restored to our vocation of service to all.
Prayer
Restoring God, enter our hearts and remove all that keeps us from our call to service in the world. Send us out to do your good work that all may know and experience your gospel of love. Amen.