1st Week of Ordinary Time, Wednesday – 12th January 2022 — Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
Prayer for Discernment
The text of today is made up of three parts. In the first part (1,29-31), the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law and her hospitality as response. In the second part (1,32-34), numerous sick are brought to Jesus, who heals them all. In the third part (1,35-39), Jesus manifests his personal aspect, namely his prayer life. Despite a long and eventual day, Jesus rose early the next morning to seek solitude. Physically fueled as he was by the hospitality of Simon’s mother-in-law, he needed something more than a few extra hours of sleep. He needed the connection with his Father that prayer alone can provide. When the Apostles found Jesus and told him that everyone was looking for him, he responded with renewed purpose and they left to preach in the neighbouring villages throughout Galilee. Here the content of Jesus’ prayer seems to be discernment on whether he must stay or move on. While it would have been easier to stay because of the approval he receives here, as is evident from his disciples’ affirmation, yet Jesus opts to move on. Because Jesus sees this as his Father’s will. Mark makes clear on numerous occasions that nothing and no one can come between Jesus and his Father’s will.
