Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B - February 4, 2018

First Reading
Job 7:1-4,6-7
Job laments his sufferings and his life.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 147:1-6
A song of praise for the Lord's goodness to the lowly.

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23
Paul explains the conditions under which he preaches the gospel and the
reasons why he will not accept financial help from the Corinthians.

GOSPEL READING 
Jesus cures Simon's mother-in-law and many others as well.

GOSPEL MK 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues,
preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today we continue to read from Mark's Gospel, learning more about the
ministry of Jesus. Jesus cured Simon's mother-in-law, and she
immediately began to serve Jesus and his disciples. Jesus also cured
many others who were brought to him, healing their illnesses and driving
out demons. As we will see throughout Mark's Gospel, Jesus did not
permit the demons to speak because they knew his identity and would have
revealed it to those who were present.

On the morning after this busy day, Jesus retreated in prayer, but was
pursued by Simon and others who brought news that many people were
looking for him. At this point in Mark's Gospel, we begin to see a
distinct role for the inner circle of Jesus' disciples--they act as
intermediaries between Jesus and the people. Jesus reports to his
disciples that they need to leave Capernaum to preach in other places.

Today's Gospel completes a picture of Jesus' ministry: preaching, curing
the sick, driving out demons, and then moving on to continue this work
in another place. Mark's Gospel tells us that Jesus did this throughout
Galilee.

Jesus' compassion and healing of the sick is a sign of the Kingdom of
God. The Church continues to extend Christ's healing presence to others
in its ministry to the sick. In the Sacrament of the Anointing of the
Sick, the Church prays for spiritual and physical healing, forgiveness
of sins, and comfort for those who are suffering from illness.

In today's Gospel we also notice the importance of prayer in Jesus'
daily life. Jesus rose early in the morning, removed himself from the
crowds, and went to a deserted place to pray. When the disciples found
him, he told them that it was time to move on. We believe that in his
prayers Jesus found guidance and direction from God. We also bring our
decision-making to God in prayer, asking for his guidance and direction
in our lives.

Family Connection

We know from last week's Gospel that Jesus gathered and prayed with the
community in the synagogue. Today we learn that Jesus also took the time
to pray alone. Following the example of Jesus, we also pray together
with our community, and we take the time to pray alone. Our children
observe our prayer with others. We might want to take the opportunity to
talk with them about our private prayer, however, so that through our
example, they may learn to make private prayer an important part of
their daily lives.

Gather as a family and talk about the ways in which your family prays
together (at Mass, grace before meals, bedtime prayers). Invite each
member of the family to talk about his or her private prayer: When do
you pray? Where do you pray? How do you pray? What do you pray for?

Jesus modeled for us a life of prayer. Read together today's Gospel,
Mark 1:29-39. Talk about this Gospel with your family. Ask questions
such as the following: What do you think Jesus was praying about in
today's Gospel? What guidance have you received from God in prayer?
Conclude by asking God to bless our times of prayer so that we can know
and follow God's ways. Pray together the Lord's Prayer.


Sources: Loyola Press;Sunday Readings