5TH SUNDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
5TH SUNDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
THEME: Breaking Free from the Shackles of Sin and Suffering
BY: Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa
In our gospel reading (Mark 1:29–39), we witness the authority and compassion of Jesus as he heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others. This passage invites us to reflect on the depth of God’s love and the power of faith, which can transform our lives and set us free from the grip of sin and suffering. As we reflect on some key elements of this text, may we be inspired to embrace our own call to discipleship and become instruments of God’s love and care for others.
To begin with, the Gospel of Mark portrays Jesus as the liberator who frees us from the powers of darkness and inaugurates the reign of God (Francis Moloney). This liberation encompasses both personal sin and systemic evil, which oppresses us. It is against this backdrop that Mark writes about the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law and many others, a powerful demonstration of Jesus’ authority and compassion.
We read that Jesus took the woman by the hand, raised her up, and the fever left her (Mark 1:31), symbolizing His power over death and sin. This act prefigures His own resurrection and the resurrection of all believers, while also showcasing His compassion and care for the vulnerable, exemplifying the kind of selfless love and service that He calls His followers to emulate.
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As St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us, “Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” It also echoes the biblical command to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ also forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). By embodying kindness, we reflect the selfless love of Jesus Christ, who showed us that kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
When the fever left Peter’s mother-in-law, she “waited on them” (Mark 1:31), demonstrating servant leadership. It also exemplifies the essence of Christian discipleship that Jesus embodies and entrusts to his followers (Matthew 20:26–28).
As Pope John Paul II reminds us, “Service to others, particularly those in need, is an integral part of our faith.” In practical terms, this means rolling up our sleeves and getting involved in our communities, volunteering at local soup kitchens, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and advocating for justice and equality. As we serve others, we not only demonstrate our faith but also become the hands and feet of Christ in the world today.
In the evening, after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who were ill or possessed by demons, and the whole town gathered at the door (Mark 1:32–34). Jesus healed many who were sick with various diseases, demonstrating that these healings are not just acts of kindness but signs that God has come to set free everyone who is under the oppression of sin and illness (Isaiah 61:1–3). As Jesus declares, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
Just like Job in our first reading (Job 7:1-4, 6-7), we may feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of our struggles. But we can bring our worries, cares, and burdens to Jesus, trusting in his power to heal and restore us (Psalm 55:22). As the apostle Peter reminds us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). And as Jesus himself promises, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Let us, therefore, approach the throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:14–16).
Finally, in the morning, Jesus got up and left the house, withdrawing to a deserted place to pray (Mark 1:35), exemplifying the importance of balancing time with others and time alone with God in prayer. This rhythm of solitude and communal engagement is a hallmark of the life of Jesus, reflecting his dependence on the Father and his desire to minister out of a place of spiritual fullness (John 5:19–20, 12:49–50).
As Dietrich Bonhoeffer insightfully observes, “Let him who cannot be alone beware of community. He will only do harm to himself and to the community.” Saint John of the Cross echoes the same wisdom, saying, “The soul that is not alone with God and does not practice solitude will not succeed in finding the secret of God.”
Saint Teresa of Avila also encourages us to cultivate the habit of spending time alone with God in prayer, just as Jesus retreated to a deserted place to pray (Mark 1:35). In her words, “Mental prayer is nothing else but being on terms of friendship with God, frequently conversing in secret with Him who, we know, loves us.”
By prioritizing time alone with God in prayer, we can experience spiritual growth (2 Peter 3:18), discern His plans for us (Psalm 32:8, Acts 13:2-3), and serve others from a place of strength and spiritual fullness (Isaiah 40:28–31, Matthew 11:28–30). As Jesus himself invites us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
To conclude, Jesus is the liberator who frees us from the shackles of sin and suffering, just as he freed Peter’s mother-in-law and many others from the grip of fever and demons. Let us embrace our call to discipleship and become instruments of God’s love and healing for others, setting them free from the chains that bind them. This is our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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