Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

We are called to an encounter with Christ!  To allow this encounter to change us!
The readings today demonstrate that God always journeys with us.

Despite our pain, suffering, and disappointments which are present all of our lives.  Sometimes even this sorrow or pain can seem to take over our lives.  Job in our first reading faces this kind of unrelenting suffering and does not understand why!  He compares his life to a slave who is living out his life in misery.  Job cries out in pain to God, and God hears Job! God hears our pain as we pray and cry out to him.  Our God understands our sorrows and pains!  And Job despite all his misery does not turn his back on God.  Our God hears our prayers and cries, God stands always with us!  We have a God who is love!  A God journeys with us, a God that calls us to himself.
 
Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says that he is a slave for Christ.  He knows that he has no other alternative than to preach the gospel in the name of Jesus.  He must share this good news! Despite the trials and tribulations of his life, he admits that he has no other choice.  He must give himself freely to the work of God.  Paul encountered Christ, and was radically changed by Him. Jesus is calling us to an encounter with Him. Calling us to a deeper relationship. Calling us unconditionally, calling us in love.
 
The gospel today follows the gospel from last week where Jesus healed the man in the synagogue, on the Sabbath.  The story picks up today with Jesus leaving the synagogue and coming to Peter’s home.  There and he encounters Peter’s mother-in-law who is ill.  Knowing this, Jesus heals her without any ceremony and without saying a word!   Rather we hear: “He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up” Jesus used this simple healing action! The verb used to describe how He “helped her up” is often used to describe resurrection.  In the ancient world those who were ill, were often thought of, as somehow being in the grips of death, in a battle of good and evil. We hear that after being healed, she “waited on them”.  It is important, that the verb meaning “waited on them” translates to:  called to service within the community. 

In this way we understand that she is healed for service to the larger community of God.  This healing illustrates Jesus’ power over death. Peter’s Mother-in-law shows us the desired response of one who has encountered Christ.  We who encounter Christ are changed, changed and charged with going forth, spreading the faith and ministering to others.  Now it was the Sabbath when Jesus healed both the man in the synagogue and Peter’s mother-in-law.  Jesus doesn’t let human rules or customs prevent or limit the power of God.
 
Later in the gospel we hear the whole town seems to be aware of her healing, and they bring their sick to Him to heal. Jesus healed many of them. After this Jesus left the house well before dawn and went to a secluded place to pray. He was so besieged by those who wanted healing that he needed time alone to pray and consider God’s plan for him. We all need time to pray and ask for God’s guidance.

The disciples, and perhaps we as well might wonder why after doing such miraculous feats, why Jesus would leave and withdraw.  Why wouldn’t He stay heal more and enjoy his fame.  Wouldn’t that bring others to Him?  However, Jesus wasn’t sent to heal and drive out demons, he was sent to preach the gospel.  To encounter, and bring all into relationship with Himself and God.  The healings and driving out of demons are signs that He and God are one and gospel is true!  The healings are not the end goal.  All who were healed will eventually die. Jesus wanted those who were encountered and healed to serve others and spread the good news.
 
 Jesus demonstrates through His life and service to God’s people what true discipleship means. He reinforces that, His mission and His life, is meant for all of God’s people.  He reaches out to all people and helps demonstrates how we are called to respond.  Jesus wants us to know that we are all called to an encounter with God.  To let this encounter empower us to reach out in prayer and action to spread the Gospel.  To use the gifts God has given us in the service to others, to all.  To all despite race, color, or religion. We are called to use our gifts, to help others encounter God by our caring, our words, and our lives.  Reaching out to all, and especially those on the margins, those ignored or shunned by society.
 
As we prepare to share in this meal at table together.   We know, all will encounter pain and trials in our journey through life.  Jesus showed us by example how to be a people of God by reaching out, encountering, and serving others.  We can’t take away all the pain and injury in the world.  But we can, as a community of God, love and support one another.  To follow Peter’s mother-in-law’s example of service to the people of God.  We are called to demonstrate and help others find and encounter Christ.  Consider something that you might do this week, something to demonstrate your faith, to reach out in service to those that you encounter in the name of Christ.

Our ChristLife Program is beginning a new session during Lent. Please consider signing up for this program, it is a wonderful way to join with others, to share a meal and fellowship and learn more about our faith and Encounter Christ!