In the first reading, we meet Job, who is a good man who suffers the loss of his family and possessions. God allows Satan to test Job. The belief in Israel, in those days, was that a person suffered because he was a sinner. Job is not a sinner yet he suffers and is miserable. He laments to all in his despair. He compares his life to a hireling or a servant with no hope. He feels that he will not see happiness again. Yet, in the end he remains faithful and God restores his family to him and gives him even greater riches.
The Psalm 147 response is: "Praise the Lord, for he is good. He heals the brokenhearted and binds their wounds."
In the second reading, St. Paul writes to the Corinthians explaining that he is compelled to preach the Good News of Jesus to all. He becomes all things to all in order to save some. This is the way that he will share in the Gospel of Jesus. There have been false preachers coming to Corinth and Paul is letting them know how a true disciple of Jesus preaches.
Last week, St. Mark began telling us of the beginning of Jesus' ministry. This week, He continues the story of Jesus' first day of public life where he is preaching the Good News. He has been teaching, healing and casting out demons in the synagogue. Then his disciples tell him that Simon's mother-in-law is sick with a fever. Jesus does not hesitate to cure her. He holds her hand and then the fever leaves her. She proceeds to wait on Jesus and his disciples. Restoring her to health allows her to fulfill her hospitality duties which was the tradition amongst Jewish families of the time. This is a model of discipleship. The Greek word "diakonei" is used, which later became the title for those women and men who served as ministers in the church, deacons.
In the evening, after the Sabbath has ended, his followers bring him people who are sick and possessed by demons. He cures the sick and drives the demons out. However, he doesn't permit the demons to acknowledge who he is since they are the only ones who already know him. He wants the people to gradually get to know him through his teaching at the proper time and in the proper way.
Early the next morning he goes out to a deserted place to pray. Jesus uses prayer to center himself throughout his ministry. When the disciples find him he tells them "Let us go out to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose I have come." The disciples want him to court the crowds that are gathering. He is not so concerned with attracting more followers in Capernaum, but in getting his message of a new revelation of God to all people.
The readings speak to us of suffering, illness, demons, and despair. Job's message is not to give up on God. The Psalm reminds us to praise God because God heals us. Mark writes that Jesus shows us by healing and forgiving of sins that God loves us and will take care of us. Jesus came to liberate us from Satan's domination of us through sin. In all the readings, we are told, no matter how much we suffer or despair to have hope in God's love.
Gene Wesolowski is a social worker and a student at Catholic Theological Union.
