One Minute Reflection – 7 February – Fifth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Readings: Job 7:1-4, 6-7, Psalms 147:1-2, 3-4,5-6, 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23, Mark 1:29-39 and the Feast of Our Lady of the Bowed Head
“Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up and the fever left her and she began to serve them.” – Mark 1:30-31
REFLECTION – “Can you imagine Jesus standing before your bed and you continue sleeping?
It is absurd that you would remain in bed in His presence.
Where is Jesus?
He is already here, offering Himself to us.
“In the middle,” He says, “among you He stands, whom you do not recognise.” “The kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Faith beholds Jesus among us.
If we are unable to seize His hand, let us prostrate ourselves at His feet.
If we are unable to reach His head, let us wash His feet with our tears.
Our repentance is the perfume of the Saviour.
See how costly is the compassion of the Saviour.
Our sins give off a terrible odour – they are rottenness!
Nevertheless, if we repent of our sins, they will be transformed into perfume by the Lord.
Therefore, let us ask the Lord to grasp our hand.
“And at once,” he says, “the fever left her.”
Immediately as her hand is grasped, the fever flees.” – St Jerome (343-420) Father and Doctor of the Church – Tractate on Mark‘s Gospel, 2
PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, let our striving for Your kingdom not fall short through selfishness or fear, may the universe be alive with the Spirit and our homes be the pledge of the world redeemed. May our eyes see and our hearts have compassion, to all those who need us. May the intercession of our Holy Mother and all the saints, be a strength and a comfort. Through Jesus, our compassionate and loving Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You forever, amen.
