Wednesday of the 1st
Week in Ordinary Time
January 13, 2016
My thoughts this morning are
about details – several details in today’s gospel that, I think, are enriching
for us.
First, Simon’s or Peter’s
mother-in-law is sick.
Jesus goes in to see her and the
passage says that “he takes her by the
hand and helps her up.”
Scripture scholars tells us that
this gesture reminds us of what the Father does for Jesus.
In at least one place, the
Scripture describes Jesus’ resurrection as God lifting up Jesus.
So, Jesus’ action here with
Simon’s mother-in-law implies a new life and giving new life to her.
In fact, we might interpret
Jesus’ entire ministry as lifting us up to new and fuller life.
Then, the passage says that this
woman immediately begins to serve them.
The word for waiting on or serving
is the same word used to describe how the angels waited on Jesus after his
temptations in the desert.
So, the insight here is that even
preparing food or showing hospitality is an angelic or heavenly thing.
It is a way of participating in
God’s work on this earth.
And finally, notice Jesus’
limits.
He has been very busy and now he
leaves that town and takes some alone time, just for himself.
He does not always and
automatically say yes to all requests.
Instead, he makes time and space
for himself, for prayer and for his relationship with the Father.
He has a sense of limits and
lives with them.
This is a good example for us.
So, I hope these details in the
gospel provide some good food for your reflection today.
