Meditation: Hebrews 2:14-18
1st Week in Ordinary Time
He himself was tested through what he suffered. (Hebrews 2:18)
Today’s first reading reminds us that Jesus wasn’t some superhero. He became a man just like us; he suffered and was tempted just as we are. He got tired and hungry, just as we do. He felt hurt when people spoke against him, just as we do. And he needed to pray, just as we do. Jesus never sinned, of course, but he nevertheless experienced so many of the effects of sin that we know. This means that Jesus not only understands our suffering—he can also help us.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is pulled in every direction: healing, casting out demons, proclaiming the kingdom, dealing with a huge group of people crowding around his front door (Mark 1:33). Surely all those demands took their toll on him. And still he got up “very early before dawn” and went off “to a deserted place, where he prayed” (1:35). Didn’t he deserve to sleep in a bit?
Like Jesus, we can feel pulled every which way at times. The best thing we can do when this happens is to try to carve out a few minutes for prayer. When we are vulnerable, the devil will try to sneak in and take advantage of our weakness. He might tell us that it’s okay to be irritable; it’s only because we’re hungry. Or he might tell us not to worry about our word choice; anyone who is as tired as we are deserves to let off a little steam. Those are only the first steps on a slippery slope, and the sooner we get off that path, the better.
Remember, Jesus knows what you’re going through. He chose to become fully man so that he could feel what we feel. He chose to become one like us so that he could relate to us—and so that we could relate to him!
Every time you feel tired or tempted, hungry or hurt, remember that Jesus knows. Remember how he turned to his Father in prayer before the devil even had a chance. Then pray. Find a “deserted place,” and ask Jesus for his grace to see you through (Mark 1:35). Always remember that he is with you. He is always at your side, ready to help you and encourage you. Always remember that he knows.
“Jesus, you know what it is like to struggle with the demands of life. Help me, Lord.”
Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9
Mark 1:29-39
Saint Jerome (347-420)
priest, translator of the Bible, Doctor of the Church Commentary on Saint Mark's Gospel, 2; PLS 2, 125f.
“Jesus grasped her hand and helped her up”
“Jesus approached her, grasped her hand and helped her up.” For indeed, the sick woman was unable to get up on her own. Since she was confined to bed, she could not come before Jesus. This compassionate doctor came to her bed himself; he who carried a sick lamb on his shoulders now drew near to this bed... He draws closer that he might heal more fully. Take good note of what is written here... “You should certainly have come to meet me, you should have come to greet me at the threshold of your house, but in that case your healing would have been the result, less of my compassion than of your will. But since such a strong fever oppresses you and prevents you from getting up, I am coming myself.”
“And he helped her up.” As she couldn't stand up by herself, it was the Lord who helped her. “He grasped her hand and helped her up.” When Peter was in danger on the sea, just as he was going to drown, he too was grasped by the hand and raised up... What a beautiful sign of friendship and love towards this sick woman! He helped her up by taking her hand; his hand healed the sick woman's hand. He grasped that hand as a doctor would have done, he who was both doctor and remedy took her pulse and assessed the gravity of the fever. Jesus touched it and the fever vanished.
Let us want him to touch our hand so that in this way what we do may be made pure. Should he enter our house, let us get off our bed at last and not remain lying down. Jesus stands at our bedside and will we remain lying down? Come on! To your feet!... “There is one among you whom you do not recognize” (Jn 1:26); “the kingdom of God is among you” (Lk 17:21). Let us have faith and we shall see Jesus among us.