Sunday, February 5, 2012

Gospel Reflection


February 04, 2012
Saturday
Anticipated Sunday Mass (Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
by Rev. Fr. Stephen Mifsud (MSSP – Quezon City)
MSSP House / Mass for the poor

First Reading:               Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Psalm:                         Psalm 147:1-6
Second Reading:          1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Gospel:                        Mark 1:29-39

29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them. 32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37 and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." 38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.er (M


HOMILY

From which book did we listen today the first reading?
Book of Job.

Job was a wealthy man who lost everything, even his family and in today’s reading we hear him complaining “ang buhay ng tao ay sagana sa hirap ... maraming buwan na ang lumipas, walang layon ang buhay ko...”

In his situation, Job is pessimistic and sees only sadness, forced work as he is a slave
Job represents us when the world around becomes heavy, when we lose our happiness, when we lose hope.
           
On the other hand we have the Gospel which presents to us hope, a good news.  We just read about Jesus who heals the mother in law of Peter and all the sick who went to him.

Jesus takes the problem of suffering very seriously.  He doesn’t just talk about it (like politicians) but dips himself in work.  In fact today we see Jesus
1.    Curing the sick
2.    Casting out devils

Jesus is not happy seeing suffering ... so why he does not eliminate it with just one miracle?

There was a Filipino who was complaining to God because of so much suffering in the world... so many people without food, without house, without money, without work.  In frustration, he asked, “Oh God, if you really are loving and powerful, why are you not doing anything to remove the misfortunes and alleviate the suffering of people?” And God replied to this Filipino, “In fact, I have done something already. I created YOU”

God created me and you to be instruments of his healing in the world.  He created us to carry on with his mission of proclaiming his Gospel of life and love.

How? First to be in solidarity with those who are suffering. Like St. Paul’s today “Sa piling ng mahihina, ako’y naging gaya ng mahihina upang mahikayat ko sila”

To be in solidarity means to do what the mother in law of Peter did today after she was healed... what did she do? “naglingkod sa kanila”.  To serve, to help others in their needs, those who live in your same house, to your friends, not only with money but with any talent you have.

The problem is that when I serve I get tired... and sometimes I stop serving.   So when I get tired I need energy.   And from where I get energy? From gin? from gatorade?
When Jesus was tired , he went up the mountain ... to pray.  Jesus needed prayer... and so do I when my life is heavy.
I need prayer.  I need the spirit of Christ otherwise I become tired, life becomes mabigat, boring...

You know why so many people lost the joy of living? Because they lost their hope and faith in Jesus.  Jesus can bring healing, joy and light to our lives... all he wants is
  1. PRAY: ibig sabihin: that we come to Him, talk with him, listen to him,
  2. SERVE : ibig sabihin : that we help each other and serve.
So let us today change our complaining into action and be instruments in God’s hand to bring healing and life around us.