The readings this weekend challenge us to avoid Job’s pessimistic and desperate view of life. He was really low in spirit when he regarded life as all pain and suffering. We must try to accept life with hope and optimism as a precious gift from God, be cheerful, use our lives to do good for others and spend our time, talents and lives for others as Jesus did and as St. Paul did. The second reading describes Paul to us as a true follower of Jesus, moved as Jesus was by concern for the lost which led him to preach the Gospel without cost to the people, and to serve them with Jesus’ love and fidelity.
The Gospel teaches us that true discipleship means giving selfless, loving service to others. Mark shows Jesus teaching with authority, exorcising a demon, healing Simon’s mother-in-law and, after sunset curing “many who were sick with various diseases, and [driving] out many demons” The following day Jesus rises early and goes off “to a deserted place” to pray, in order to think about what he has been doing and to recharge his spiritual batteries.
The message for us is quite simple: Bringing healing and wholeness is Jesus’ ministry even today. We all need healing for our minds, our memories, and our broken relationships. Nowadays Jesus is also using counsellors, doctors, friends, or even strangers to carry out his healing ministry. Let us ask for the ordinary healing we need in our own lives. When we are healed, do not forget to thank Jesus for his goodness, mercy, and compassion by turning to serve others in our turn. Our own healing is fulfilled only when we are ready to help others in their needs and to focus on things outside ourselves. Jesus found time for prayer, time for healing, and time for reconciliation so we, too, can take up this challenge by sharing love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness with others.