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.
Homily
I have told the story many times of the young man who wanted to be a media consultant but whose mother wanted him to be a medical doctor. To please his mother he studied medicine and qualified. His medical degree is proudly displayed in his mother’s home but he has never practiced medicine. The practice of medicine has no place in his life. It will never bring fulfillment to him. Today that young man, now in his sixties, is extremely happy and with a positive attitude to life. His life has meaning, something it would never have had if he was a medical doctor. All of us know stories of persons who are doing work which does not give meaning to their lives and because of this they are not fulfilled. They are generally unhappy persons for without fulfillment in one’s life one cannot achieve happiness. The activity in which one is engaged on a regular basis must give meaning to one’s life.
There are lots of people that make claims about female libido, but just because people make claims, that doesn’t mean that you should pay more for cialis tadalafil 100mg when Kamagra is not illegal. The medication- Kamagra has tendency to work adversely if you do not follow the instructions made by your healthcare provider.discount buy viagra Storage:viagra is to be kept in its original container. So he goes to the hospital for medical tests and report details of your symptoms and conditions to the doctor. cheapest cialis cialis cheapest http://amerikabulteni.com/2011/11/09/rick-perry-baskan-olursa-kaldiracagini-ilan-ettigi-federal-kurumun-ismini-unuttu/ Also there are psychological factors such as stress, performance anxiety, guilt for not being able to satisfy the sexual urges of their partner. As I meditated on the gospel story given for our reflection this weekend, I thought of that incident because this is one of the lessons which this passage teaches us. The story we know very well. Jesus goes as a guest to the home of Simon Peter but on arriving he learns that Simon’s mother in law is ill. For Simon’s mother in law this must have been a very difficult moment. A great guest has come to her home and she cannot offer him the usual courtesies. For a Middle Eastern woman at that time, making a guest feel at home and serving him the best was what was expected. Women found great fulfilment in this. Not to be able to do the finer things for a guest was a tragedy. Jesus is aware of this cultural value. He goes to the woman and cures her and we are told that “she waited on them.” Simon’s mother in law in that act of serving found meaning in life. She evidently loved doing it. She did not say, I have just been cured. I need to rest, She immediately waited on them. She, I believe would have been fulfilled because she saw what she was doing as part of her vocation.
But in this gospel passage Simon’s mother in law is not the only one who does what gives meaning to life. Jesus also does. When the disciples wish to remain in the town in which they, i.e., Jesus and themselves as his helpers, have received much acclaim, Jesus returns to his purpose in life, i.e. he must preach to all the people. He told his disciples; “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” It is in being faithful to his vocation that Jesus finds meaning in life.
For us the message is very simple. We find meaning in life in the measure that we are faithful to our vocation. This is how the saints lived. The listened carefully to God’s Spirit who revealed to them just what God wanted of them. When they discovered God’s will for them their lives took on new meaning. There are many examples for us. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who gave up the comforts of her convent to spend her life working with and for the poor dying on the streets.
Here at home we have the example of Fr. Gerard Pantin, giving up teaching and helping to win island scholarships to found Servol for poor disadvantaged youth. These two Mother Teresa and Fr. Pantin found tremendous fulfilment through being faithful to God’s call which gave meaning to their lives. The same must happen to us but this will happen only if we are faithful to what God is calling us to do in life.
Prayer
All powerful and ever loving God, it is in doing your will that we find meaning in our lives. Help us to known and to fulfil your will always so that we may be true imitators of your son Jesus and so collaborate with Him in bringing your Kingdom into being. We ask this through the intercession of Mary our Mother and your Son Jesus. Amen
