Readings:
Hebrews 2:14-18
Mark 1:29-39
Reflection:
For some, keeping things is easier than letting them go. The reason can be that normal action is possessing rather than giving, personal first rather than community first, and my own will rather than God’s will. So how can we understand the strange action of Jesus when he decided to go elsewhere rather than staying in one place?
In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus has done a great thing through the action of healing, not only for Simon’s mother-in-law but also for the whole town who came to him. Jesus also cast out many devils. These actions testify to Jesus as a Messiah. More than that, Jesus is portrayed as the beloved son who has a close relationship with his Father. He went off to a lonely place and had a conversation with his Father.
For Jesus, he does not rely on people who are searching for him but acts according to his mission. He does not stop in one place and rejoice with the praise the crowd offers him. He is always ready to go and preach in different towns. He teaches his companions, especially Simon, that his mission is for everybody, not just only for some privileged ones.
Learning from Jesus, we must also be ready and let go so we can fulfil the mission of preaching the Good News. For this mission, we cannot stop or forget the main purpose of the coming of Jesus: everyone can hear God’s words, not just from him but also from his disciples.
JD Tân T CP is a Vietnamese Passionist who lives and studies further at the Holy Cross Retreat, Templestowe.