Time and time again, our shepherds remind us to pray. We also read in the Bible calling us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17). In today’s Gospel, it provides an insight of Jesus setting aside time & space for our Father. St Mark tells us that Jesus got up in the morning and sought out a lonely place to pray (Mark 1:35). The Gospels are full of moments where we observe Jesus being engaged in many moments of prayer. We find him at prayer in the glory of the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-29) and the darkness of Gethsemane & Calvary (Mathew 26:36-39). Prayer gives depth, dynamism and direction to Jesus’ mission.
Jesus’ habit of prayer, his preaching and his answer to the apostles’ request, all emphasize the truth that God teaches us to pray. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes, our response to the Teacher should be to ‘approach the Lord Jesus as Moses approached the burning bush: first to contemplate him in prayer, then to hear how he teaches us to pray” (CCC 2598).
“Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends.” St Alphonsus Ligouri
Energized by prayer, Jesus embarks on his ministry. Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law from her fever, and she is completely healed. In turn, Simon’s mother-in-law ‘served them’ which indicates the completeness of her cure and the service expected of those who have been healed by Christ. It appears that Jesus has a busy day, yet he finds time to pray. In the busyness of our day, do we also find time to pray like Jesus does? When healed of her fever, Simon’s mother-in-law embodies true discipleship – the service of others. How do we respond to God when we have been healed? Do we just sit back, accept people’s good wishes and continue our usual lifestyle, or do we step forward to the service of the community with our restored health, like Simon’s mother-in-law?
When the disciples found Jesus, he told them it was time to move on. We know that in his prayers, Jesus was in union with our Father and His Father. We should also bring our daily decision making to God in prayer, asking for His guidance and direction in our lives. When faced with trials, doubts and difficult moments, what can we learn from Job in the first reading? Job praised God for the good things he received in life, but when they were removed from him, he continued to bless and praise God. Indeed, this is an inspiration which we should learn from Job. Just as in 2 Cor 4:8-9, we are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Job did not let the despair deter him from praising and worshiping God.
May Job’s life continue to inspire us to trust and praise God in all things. During this period, we might be carrying a burden that weighs us down. Our health is taking a toll on us and troubles continue to surface at the workplace, in school or at home. Take time to praise and worship God anyway. Give God all the glory despite our afflictions & sufferings. St Therese of Lisieux quotes “Suffering is the very best gift He has to give us. He gives it only to His chosen friends.
Dickson & Cindy