Getting down to it

Readings for reflection for Sunday February 8th 2009: Epiphany 5 - Isa 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11; 1Cor 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

I always find Jesus' encounter with Peter's mother-in-law a bit shocking.
How men so often presume on the generosity fo women,
not even recognising that they are not well,
and just assuming that they do what they are told.
They have obviously never lived with the 4 sisters, or the 3 daughters
that I have been blessed with.
None of whom have done what they are told!!!

But I think there are some points in this story
that we overlook:
Jesus heals so that we might live our lives with better quality
not so that we might continue to moan about being sick.
We are healed so that we can continue living
and so we should not be surprised
when a sick woman gets healed
and gets on with her life!

Nor do I think that we should overlook
that Jesus heals even when the sickness seems to us
to be minor.
I never understand people who say
"Don't pray for me, there are others more needy"
As if there is only so much to go round.
This story at least might tell us that
God's concern is not just with 99% sickness
and maybe we should be more faithful in bringing even small matters
to God for healing.

THIS WEEK
Is there somewhere we have been healed, forgiven, reconciled where we haven't actually appropriated that gift? Have we chosen to remain sick when we are actually healed?
We don't need to play games, but nor do we need to lack faith.

Are there some areas of our life that we think are not important enough for God's care?
Do we maybe even consider that we are not important enough for God's grace?
Pray to trust God in all things great and small!