Lent 2012 Scripture Studies now available here.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B
February 5, 2012
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Opening Prayer
First Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Psalm: 147:1-6
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-33
Gospel Reading: Mark 1:29-39
- This Sunday’s Gospel picks up where last week’s Gospel reading left off—Jesus leaving the synagogue where he taught with authority and healed a demoniac (Mark 1:21-28).
- Upon arriving at the Capernaum home of Simon Peter and Andrew (which would also become the home and base of Jesus’ ministry), Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever by coming near to her, grasping her hand, and helping her up (verse 31. The RSVCE has “lifted”). The Greek word used here—egari—is the same word used elsewhere in Mark when alluding to Jesus’ Resurrection (Mark 14:28; 16:6) and perhaps, by implication, to ours at the end of time.
- Because of the remarkable events at the synagogue earlier in the day, “the whole town” comes to him to be healed of their illnesses and be freed of demons. As he did elsewhere, he forbade these last to broadcast his identity (Mark 3:12).
- After spending the entire evening healing and casting out demons, Jesus rises “very early” Sunday morning to pray. The gospels all show Jesus praying at critical moments of his ministry (Matthew 26:39; Mark 6:46; Luke 3:1, 6:12, 9:29). Jesus practices what he preaches about the value of solitary prayer (Matthew 6:5-6; CCC 2602).
- After being told by the disciples that the crowds are clamoring for him, Jesus, instead of basking in his popularity, decides to move on to elsewhere in the area to preach (verse 38).
- Preaching is also the mission he will give to his Apostles (Mark 3:14, 16:15) as it is the method selected by God to effect salvation (1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Romans 10:14-17).
QUESTIONS:
- How does the healing Jesus performs in this passage (verses 30-31) compare with the exorcism we heard about last week (verse 25)? What new realm of Jesus’ authority is seen here?
- How do you picture the scene in verses 32-34? Why does Jesus silence the demons?
- After a day like this passage describes, what pressures could Jesus be feeling as a new day dawns? How might this relate to his decision to move on (verse 38)?
- What do you think Jesus prayed for during his prayer time?
- What do you do when you need to get away and be with God?
- What goals would you like to set for your “quiet time” with God—for example, a certain amount of time, saying the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet, or a Scripture reading plan?
You write: ‘To pray is talk with God. But about what?’ About what? About him, about yourself: about joys, sorrows, successes and failures, noble ambitions, daily worries, weaknesses! And acts of thanksgiving and petitions; and love and reparation. In a word: to get to know Him and to get to know yourself: ‘to get acquainted!’ -St. Josemaria Escriva
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