Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Purpose

Gospel MK 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, 
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons 
throughout the whole of Galilee.
Here we read about Jesus caught up in what seems like the whirlwind of his ministry.  Healing.  Preaching.  Everyone looking for him.  He is on a very clear mission and states emphatically: "for this purpose have I come."  It sounds exhausting.  So exhausting that once again he goes off to pray in solitude.  Even the Son of God needs downtime to recharge!  But he did not let fatigue get in the way of his calling: healing bodies and healing souls, making a difference in a person, one at a time.  And we know how the story unfolds when Jesus heals the body and soul of all humanity.  The deeper meaning for me?  Of course, I don't have the supernatural healing power of Jesus, but I am at my best when I am making a difference in the life of another, one person at a time.

No comments:

Post a Comment