Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Mark 1:29-39
Today, Jesus continues his proclamation in Capernaum, a city of Galilee. There, Jesus makes God present among the desperate people who await the divine visitation. Jesus does not proclaim an ethereal presence but a reality that transforms peoples’ lives in all ways. Jesus’ first actions in Capernaum are aimed to liberate people from the authoritarian and twisted teachings of the Scribes who wanted to keep them under control. Jesus then continues to also liberate suffering bodies and brings total restoration and abundant life to the people. He heals bodies and minds as a sign that the Kingdom of God is within them.
When we read the Gospels’ accounts we realize how many sick and broken people there were at that time. This is not surprising due to the prevailing dehumanizing system which oppressed people in every sense. In addition, the Jewish religious teachings affirmed that any sickness or disability was a sign of punishment from God for committing sin. So, sick people were stigmatized and discriminated, and some were considered untouchable and lived in isolation.
There are many sick people in Capernaum, Peter’s mother-in-law is one of them, and Jesus comes to heal her. While she lies in bed with a fever unable to serve in her family community, she receives the healing and humanizing touch of Jesus. He takes her hand and lifts her up, “Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.” Jesus restores this woman, and she recovers her dignity becoming the first Deacon in the liberating and inclusive community of Jesus. (The term Deacon comes from the Greek diákonos which means server.)
When people in Capernaum realize the healing presence of God among them, they bring to Jesus “all who were sick or possessed with demons.” Jesus had been working all day at the synagogue and in Peter’s home, but now he is willing to meet with the people and bring them restoration. Through the text we see that there were many people waiting for compassion and mercy. Mark points out, “And he cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons.”
Notice that it was the community that brings the sick and suffering people to Jesus. They realized that the will of God is the well-being of all in the community. Imagine how many people received healing and restoration that evening in Capernaum!
Dear sisters and brothers, today, just like in Jesus’ time, there are so many people in our midst who suffer physically and mentally from different diseases and ailments—a sign of the inhuman structures which produce alienation, poverty, hunger, diseases, and illnesses. We live in a world where many people get sick and die because they lack access to basic foods, cannot afford basic medical services, or buy a simple analgesic.
Others suffer from anxiety, stress, anguish, or become perturbed showing deviant behavior. We need liberation from this dehumanizing system!
Today, Jesus proclaims among us, “The kingdom of God has come near!” and he brings us liberation and healing. When we are liberated and healed, we are restored and live a dignified life like the woman who became the first Deacon in Jesus’ community, and we can all be deacons in the Kingdom of God
Today, Jesus also calls us, his disciples, to make present the liberating and healing God in our world. How? With our liberating message and through our practices of solidarity, compassion, mercy, and a healing human touch. A healed and restored community is a sign that the Kingdom of God is present among us.
Amen
Neli+
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| Neli+ Miranda, Priest-in-Charge |
Spiritual consulation, baptisms, weddings,
funerals are available during the time of
(at home or in small gatherings at the chapel)
Greetings and blessings in the name of
our Lord, Jesus Christ
Please, let us know if you have pastoral needs and/or wish personal, online, or telephone communications during this period of Coronavirus.
Email:
The Reverend Neli Miranda Lopez
nelimirandalopez@gmail.com
We will include you in our informal support circle and add you to our prayer list.
You can also receive personally directed private prayers, Bible readings and pastoral reflections during this time. If you wish to have special spiritual requests and needs we welcome them.
The Reverend Neli Miranda Lopez
Priest-in-Charge
St. Alban Episcopal Mission
Antigua, Sacatepequez, Guatemala
The Episcopal Church WELCOMES EVERYONE
(everyone means everyone)
