5th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B – 7th February 2021 — Gospel: Mark 1,29-39
Bring back to Participation
Illness bears a heavy social cost. A sick person not only is unable to earn a living or contribute to the well-being of a household, but loses her/his ability to take proper role in the community or in the town. Peter’s mother-in-law is an excellent case to be pointed out. She naturally honours her guests by offering hospitality in her home. The fever that she had cut off her role in her household. Jesus restored her to her social world and brought her back to a life of value by freeing her from that fever. It is very important to note that healing is about restoration to community and restoration to a calling. For life without community and calling is bleak indeed.
Jesus’ ministry involves restoration of those cut off from community to a full role in the community. Those who have been seriously ill in our own time will understand the joy of simply being back as a participant in community activity. Jesus wields the power of God to bring about participation. It is God’s will for creation to be one with the community and serving in the community with others.
