2024

February 4, 2024

ᐊVIDEOSHOMILIESCONNECTIONSHOLY SEEFR TONYᐅ

Homily
Excerpts

Fr. George M. Smiga

Burning Up

The cause of the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law is not identified in the text, leaving unanswered questions as to whether she has the flu, is battling an infection, or has contracted malaria. But what if her sickness is not physical but emotional?

Fr. Smiga explores the possibility that Peter’s mother-in-law may have been emotionally upset rather than physically ill. By examining the Greek word used for “fever” in the text, which is actually a participle meaning “burning up,” he suggests an alternative interpretation. It is proposed that Peter’s decision to follow Jesus and leave his stable job as a fisherman might have upset his mother-in-law, causing her to be “on fire” emotionally.

“He did what! You know that the only reason that I agreed that my daughter could marry that guy was that he had a job. He knew how to catch fish. Now you are telling me he has left his nets and is going around Galilee with Jesus catching people! Good luck with that! How are you going to put food on the table catching people? How is he going to pay for my grandchildren’s education?”

This perspective shifts the story’s meaning to focus on the common experience of being disappointed and perplexed by the decisions of loved ones.

Agnus
Day

James
Wetzstein
Valparaiso University

5th Sunday of Year B

SOURCE: AgnusDay Archive

Poetry

Scott L.
Barton

Up from the sickbed and right to the stove!

Up from the sickbed and right to the stove!
Into her work, Peter’s moth’r-in-law dove!
Funny how quickly to work did she fly,
Asking, it seems, neither wherefore nor why;
Then the whole city showed up, while they pressed
Jesus to cure all the sick and possessed;
Out to the desert he went then to pray;
Simon and friends, showing up in dismay,
Maybe helped Jesus decide to move on—
Get out of town, while he could, before dawn.
Work’s never done, and all need the good news,
Grace to the next one will God always choose.

READ MORE

SOURCE: LectionaryPoems.com

5th Sunday of Year B

Job 7:1-4, 6-7

1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23

Mk 1:29-39

Movies &
Television

Jesus Heals Simon’s Mother-in-law

The Chosen
Season 1

Faith in
Art & Music

For the Sake of the Call (1990)

Steven Curtis Chapman

The lyrics of “For the Sake of the Call” by Steven Curtis Chapman express a deep commitment to following Jesus and a willingness to abandon everything for the sake of his call. This devotion is reminiscent of the teachings found in 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 and Mark 1:14-20.

In 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, the apostle Paul urges believers to live in light of the imminent return of Christ. He emphasizes the transient nature of the world and its pursuits, stating that those who are married should live as though they were not, and those who mourn should do so as though they were not mourning. This passage encourages believers to prioritize their devotion to God’s call above all else. Similarly, the lyrics of the song declare that the singer and those like him are wholly devoted to living and dying for the sake of the call, illustrating their understanding of life’s fleeting nature and the eternal significance of following Jesus.

In Mark 1:14-20, Jesus calls his first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James, and John, to leave their fishing nets and follow him. It is noteworthy that Jesus does not promise them worldly gain, fame, or applause. Instead, he simply says, “Come follow me.” The lyrics reflect this scene by stating that the disciples knew from the start that their road would not lead to fame, but they still responded to Jesus’ call with reckless abandon. This echoes the response of the disciples who left their empty nets behind without concern for personal gain.

Moreover, the lyrics highlight the importance of the love Jesus has shown and his call to go wherever he leads. The imagery of rivers being drawn to the sea demonstrates the irresistibility of following Jesus once his call is heard. This aligns with the teachings in the Bible to follow God’s will wherever it might lead, regardless of personal desires or worldly aspirations.

Overall, the lyrics of “For the Sake of the Call” capture the essence of 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 and Mark 1:14-20. They emphasize the importance of prioritizing God’s call above all worldly pursuits, the willingness to abandon personal ambitions for the sake of following Jesus, and the deep love and commitment that comes from understanding his love and hearing his call.

The Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-law (1660)

Rembrandt