Family Dynamics - July 17
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15
1 Samuel 18:5-16,27b-30; Acts 11:19-30; Mark 1:29-45
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. (Mark 1:29-21)
The gospel from Mark appointed for today in the Daily Office opens in this way: right in the middle of layers of family dynamics. There were two sets of fishermen brothers in the company of Jesus: Simon and Andrew, and James and John. Jesus offered to Simon and Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” They dropped their fishing nets and joined Jesus. A little distance further, Jesus saw James and John in their boat repairing fishing nets, along with their dad Zebedee and some other hired workers. He called the brothers to join him. They climbed out of the boat, walked to shore, and followed Jesus.
The band of five walked to Capernaum, a community on the Sea of Galilee. They went to the synagogue and Jesus began to teach in the town’s gathering space. It was the Sabbath, so we infer that there was some manner of worship happening. A man afflicted with an unclean spirit interrupted, crying out and calling Jesus by name. The newly recruited teams of brothers watched as Jesus commanded, “Be silent, and come out of him!” The man began convulsing and groaning loudly as the unclean spirit left his body. The crowd was awed by the scene and by the power demonstrated by Jesus.
Still filled with adrenaline from the synagogue episode, they walk over to Simon and Andrew’s house. The five men entered the home. Simon’s mother-in-law is there and ill, lying in bed with a fever.
As Mark narrates this scene, he does not expound more on what Simon’s wife’s mother’s name is, whether this is her permanent home, who else may have been attending to her in her illness, or how long she has been afflicted.
Jesus approached the woman, held her hand, and woke her up. The fever broke. It left her body. She was relieved from her sick disposition! She got out of bed and began attending to Jesus and the four disciples.
We hear about the disciples leaving their families to follow Jesus, and as a priest with a family, I do wonder about the effects of ministry upon those who called the disciples husband, brother, uncle, dad, son. This vignette from Mark shows us a glimpse at the grace and compassion that Jesus showed to his followers’ families, and all who surrounded him.
Family dynamics are not easy. Jesus dwells with us in those spaces, holds our hand, and wakes us up, so that we can be present with those who know, love, and need us.
May God’s peace be upon you this day,
Katherine+
Questions for Self-Reflection:
Who do you pray that Jesus will be present with today? Who in your life needs to experience the compassionate healing of the Teacher? Offer that prayer to God.