Today’s Reflection: Christ, the healer of our souls

By Charles Muchiri

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings for Mass

First Reading: Job 7: 1-4, 6-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 147: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Second reading: First Corinthians 9: 16-19, 22-23
Gospel: Mark 1: 29-39

Today’s Gospel is about a Christ who is at it, healing all sorts of sicknesses and casting out demons.

Christ heals the mother of Simon by just approaching her, grasping her hand, and helping her up! (Mark 1: 31)

That evening, the whole of Simon’s village was at the door, many were healed of their diseases (Mark does not quote the numbers, leaving us to believe that they might have been uncountable!) Those possessed with demons were also brought for healing.

Yet, Christ does not sit back the following day, to take advantage of the name that he has created within an evening. Rather, He heads to the next villages - to make a Divine impact there too.

"Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." (Mark 1: 38)

And so also it is with us, as Christians – the followers of Christ – we should also seek to make an impact, not only within our comfort zones, but beyond.

In our words and deeds, let us therefore borrow from St Paul’s words to the Corinthians: That if (we) preach the gospel, this is no reason for (us) to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on (us), and woe to (us) if (we) do not preach it! (1 Cor 9: 16)

And to cup it up, like Job says in the First Reading, (Job 7: 6) we don’t have all the life-time to tell the world about this God, our God!

/Follow this writer on Twitter: @muchirimuchoki/

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