Pastor's Relections

Reflections from the Parish Bulletin

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The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 5, 2012

"Human empathy and compassion are united with divine power in Jesus."

Dear Parish Family,

       The evangelist Mark has a very unique way of presenting Jesus in all of His humanity even as the wonders He works attest to His divinity.  We see His tender approach and concern, as takes the hand of Peter’s ailing mother-in-law and helps her up.  At the same time He drives away her fever.  Human empathy and compassion are united with divine power in Jesus.

       The miracles of Jesus come at a cost to Him.  The whole town shows up at Peter’s door, after sunset, and after a long day of preaching at the synagogue and healing and driving out demons.  The whole town, fresh from its restful Sabbath, prevails on Jesus Who must surely be tired.  Yet He patiently continues to heal and drive out demons.  The power of God is channeled through a human body that knows both hunger and exhaustion.

       Before dawn, Jesus seeks to steal away to a deserted place, to pray and seek some respite.  His peace is broken by the clamor of the disciples, pursuing Jesus to let Him know “that everybody is looking for you.”  They are excited by Jesus’ growing popularity, and their share in it as His disciples.  While they bask in their new-found importance in Capernaum, Jesus takes the wind out of their sails. He has not come to be a revered and admired local hero, but to preach the kingdom of God.

       Prayer has clarified the vision of Jesus and re-fueled Him for the challenging work ahead.  He will sacrifice His own comfort and popularity to embrace the mission entrusted to Him.  In this Mark strongly contrasts Jesus with the religious leaders of Israel, who reveled in their importance and the status and respect accorded to them.

       It is no accident that the real and active power of God, seen in the wonders performed, dwells in this humble Servant, Who puts the will of the Father, and the needs of others, before His own.

                                                      God bless you.

                                                           Fr. Pat 

                                                         

                                                       

Fr. Pat Lee

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