Reading 1
Heb 2:14-18
Since the children share in blood and Flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
Responsorial PsalmR. (8a)
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generationsB
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Mk 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
Meditation: Mark 1:29-39
“Everyone is looking for you.” (Mark 1:37)
Have you ever noticed how each gospel writer tells the story of Jesus in a somewhat different way? The basic story line remains the same, but each author emphasizes different details, in keeping with the overall goal of the gospel he is writing. Take Mark’s version of the way Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Mark highlights Jesus taking her by the hand and helping her to her feet as he heals her. Such a scene of intimacy and compassion fits with Mark’s overall goal of showing how Jesus is close to us, how approachable he is, and how deeply he is concerned for our well-being. In a similar passage, after taking a little girl by the hand and raising her from her deathbed, Jesus immediately asks her family to get her something to eat (Mark 5:43).
Because Luke often emphasizes the value of community and fellowship, he tells how the disciples interceded with Jesus on behalf of Peter’s mother-in-law (Luke 4:38). Elsewhere, Luke goes into detail regarding a group of women—a mini-community—who followed Jesus and supported him financially (8:1-3).
Then there’s Matthew, who highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of the Hebrew prophesies about the coming Messiah. At the end of his version of this story, Matthew tells us that Jesus performed these healings to fulfill what was written in the Book of Isaiah: “He took away our infirmities and bore our diseases” (Matthew 8:17). So here we have three versions of one story, each one showing us something new and different about Jesus and his love for us. And because God designed the gospels this way, we can all come to a richer and fuller understanding of Jesus.
The next time you read a gospel story, make it a point to find that same story in another gospel and read it closely. Look for any additional details or insights that this story gives you. Remember: God gave us the Bible so that we could grow closer to Jesus and love him more. What better way than to see him through the eyes of four inspired writers instead of just one?
“Jesus, reveal yourself to me through your gospels. Help me to see you more clearly and love you more deeply as I ponder you in the Scriptures.”
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