This is why I have come ~ A Reflection on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23
Mk 1:29-39

In this week's Gospel reading, Mark describes a day in the life of Jesus as he pursues his ministry of preaching the Kingdom of God. We see a compassionate Jesus who does not hesitate to heal Peter's mother-in-law, as well as every stranger who has come to listen to his words of hope and salvation; and to be healed of their afflictions. Can you imagine the joy of those people who placed their trust in his healing power and were freed from their diseases and the demons who possessed them. It was just as the psalmist writes: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Ps 147:3)

We can see also, how physically and emotionally drained Jesus would become as he gathered the people to himself and healed them. We see how Jesus would have to find time to rest and recuperate from his continuous activity. Mark tells us that Jesus would often retreat to a deserted place to pray. His prayer would unite him with his Father whose Spirit would fill him with renewed energy and strength to continue his teaching about the Kingdom and to care for the people.

What does all this have to do with us today? Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, tells us what the life and death of Jesus meant to him. To Paul, Jesus' message about the Kingdom was so important and so powerful that he would do everything in his power to spread the Good News. Paul endured shipwrecks, imprisonment, exhausting travels, weakness, illness and disappointment... all in the name of Jesus Christ. Even though Paul was a free man, he tells us that he made himself a slave to all; that he would do whatever was necessary to convert as many people as possible. "All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it." (1 Cor 9:23)

What does the life and death of Jesus mean to us?


~ Image found at St. Norbert College Website