Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B 4th February 2024.
Lectionary Readings:
Isaiah 40 v21-31 God rules the whole earth.
Psalm 147 v1-11, 20c. Sing and Praise the Lord.
1 Corinthians 9 v16-23. The rights of an apostle.
Mark 1 v29-39. Jesus heals many people.
Healing and Healing.
The passage of scripture from Mark’s gospel speaks of one kind of healing and hints at another.
Mark tells us that “all who were sick or had demons in them were brought to Jesus.” (v32b).
“Jesus healed all kinds of terrible diseases and forced out a lot of demons.” (v34a).
The word had got around that Jesus could and would heal anyone who came to him for help. Jesus did not turn these people away, he treated them with respect, kindness and compassion. He restored them to health and wholeness of life.
But, Jesus had a healing mission that went far beyond individuals, to communities, nations, the planet and all creation.
Jesus said “We must go to the nearby towns, so that I can tell the good news to those people. This is why I have come” (v38).
The ‘good news’ is about what God is doing to bring about healing to everyone and everything on earth. Jesus is God’s agent, the one we shall come to recognise as our prophet, priest and king. Through the work of Jesus, the kingdom of God is translated from a scriptural promise into a living reality. The teachings of Jesus enable his followers to understand the essential need for ‘Justice and Mercy’, if we are to be partners with Jesus in establishing God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.
As followers of Jesus in this present age, we are challenged to work towards a world in which all the created order (including ourselves) can thrive as God intended us to. For those of us in the ‘developed’ world, this will mean learning to live ‘sustainably’, reducing our use of the earth’s resources so that others might live ‘sustainably’ as well. *
In our own nation, poverty is a reality for many families. Social and health inequalities can only be addressed if the majority recognise the need for government policies to change, And, as a consequence, acknowledge that a redistribution of wealth is required to achieve social justice for all.
Can we join Paul in declaring that we are prepared to make sacrifices for the common good?
Paul’s preaching and ministry was inclusive of Jews and Gentiles. His thinking was shaped by his encounter with Jesus. Paul realised that “God was in Christ (Jesus), offering peace and forgiveness to the people of the world.” (2 Cor 5 v19).
Jesus’ preaching and ministry was inclusive, as Luke says, of ‘The Least, the Last and the Lost’. Paul, in today’s lectionary reading, is encouraging us to do no less. Later in the same letter, Paul writes, “My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.” (1 Cor. 15 v58).
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English Version.
*
For the healing of the nations,
Lord, we pray with one accord;
for a just and equal sharing
of the things that earth affords.
To a life of love in action
help us rise and pledge our word.
Verse 1 of a hymn by Fred Kaan, from the Methodist hymn book, ‘Singing the Faith’, Hymn No 696.
We who hear your word so often
choose so rarely to obey;
turn us from our wilful blindness,
give us truth to light our way.
In the power of your Spirit
come to cleanse us, make us new:
hear our cry and heal our nations
till our nations honour you.
Verse 4 of a hymn by Martin Leckebusch, from ‘Singing the Faith’, Hymn No 703.