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Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Mass Readings
First Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Responsorial: Psalm 147:1-6
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020721.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/
Hello, and thank you for joining me today for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes, where every weekend we break open the Word. Today’s readings help to prepare us for beginning Lent in a few weeks. Specifically, these readings help us think about prayer.
In today’s first reading, we hear an excerpt from Job. Now, recalling Job’s story, we know that he was successful in just about every way we can describe success: family, friends, wealth, and a strong relationship with God. But, he loses everything because God allows Satan to test Job.
Three of his friends have come to comfort him. Part of their idea is that Job must have done something to deserve bad things in his life. But Job doesn’t accept that. Now, in today’s first reading, we hear a piece of Job’s reply to one of his friends. And he describes the bleakness of his situation. Just a few verses later, beyond our reading, Job’s attention turns to God, and he has no problem complaining to God. But, he never speaks falsely against God.
In our world today, there are so many difficult situations. Some people haven’t done well at all during the pandemic. And if we were suffering from a chronic illness before the pandemic, well, the pandemic probably made life even more difficult! Add to that the number of people who’ve had to die alone – it’s tragic!
In Job’s case, he never gave in to self-pity. Job did not believe that God sent him a punishment. Job was not afraid to take his complaints directly to God. Job says, “I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.” (Job 7:4) Do you feel restless? How many people choose to escape restlessness with something outside themselves, like friends, sports, binge-watching streaming entertainment? Or worse, losing themselves through destructive behaviors like alcohol and drugs? Job teaches us to turn to the Lord in prayer!
In the end, God rewards Job for never losing hope or faith. It’s like we hear in Psalm 147, the “Lord rebuilds” and “he gathers.” “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” and “The LORD sustains the lowly.” One of the lessons then that Job teaches us is that we need to keep the lines of communication with God open even during pain and suffering.
We also see that idea in today’s Gospel. After synagogue, the disciples Simon and Andrew invite Jesus over. But Simon’s mother-in-law is in bed, suffering from fever. What do the disciples do? Well, they don’t know what Jesus will do, but they tell Jesus all about the situation.
Isn’t that true for us too? We don’t know how and if God will help us with a particular situation, nor should we expect a direct and clear answer, but like Simon and Andrew, we need to bring our petitions to Jesus. We need to remember that we are not alone. So, we can bring Jesus our pain and suffering and our problems to Jesus. We never know what form God’s response will take.
Later in the Gospel, what does Jesus do? Jesus, who is God incarnate, goes off by himself to pray to God. Jesus, who is our example of what it means to be fully human, goes to God in prayer for guidance. So, Jesus models prayer to all of us. We shouldn’t make assumptions about our status as disciples and say something like, “I’m not worthy.” Or, “God has more important things to do than worry about this.”
What does Jesus do next in our reading today? He and the disciples continue their journey and go to synagogues to preach and drive out demons. In other words, Jesus went – Jesus goes to the places where we gather to pray to bring us healing and consolation. Whether you can go to church right now or not, or watch mass online, or gather online with friends to pray or pray alone or sit quietly alone with Jesus either before the Blessed Sacrament or in your home, Jesus comes to you and me.
If you’re feeling anxious or alone right now, you need to remind yourself that you are not alone. Jesus comes to us in our prayer, and the church prays for every soul throughout every day. We need to remind ourselves that we are not alone and that people are praying for us right now. I think that’s a very comforting thought. And it’s a great reminder as we approach Lent to pray. We are called to pray for our friends and our families, of course. We are called to pray for the church and for the whole world. We are called to pray for our friends and families who’ve passed away, especially all the souls in purgatory. And we are called to pray for the conversion of all souls.
Homework! Strengthened by prayer and nourished by the Word and the Sacrament, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, Jesus rose early and prayed before dawn. Where is a good place to pray in my home, and what time of day is best for my situation?
Second, what are some ways I can share my prayer life with others?
I think our homework will help us maintain focus on Jesus and share the Good News with others. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!
You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!
Image Credit: Artist unknown. Praying in the storm. JPG.
Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.
Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Jesus as the model of prayer: 520, 2599-606
2. Inculturation: 854, 1204
3. Christ the physician: 1503-5
4. Support of church, clergy: 2043
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020721.cfm
Lectionary: 74
Reading 1
Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Job spoke, saying:
Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery?
Are not his days those of hirelings?
He is a slave who longs for the shade,
a hireling who waits for his wages.
So I have been assigned months of misery,
and troubled nights have been allotted to me.
If in bed I say, “When shall I arise?”
then the night drags on;
I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle;
they come to an end without hope.
Remember that my life is like the wind;
I shall not see happiness again.
Responsorial
Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (cf. 3a) Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or: R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or: R. Alleluia.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or: R. Alleluia.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The LORD sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or: R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Brothers and sisters:
If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it!
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,
but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my recompense?
That, when I preach,
I offer the gospel free of charge
so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Although I am free in regard to all,
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some.
All this I do for the sake of the gospel,
so that I too may have a share in it.
Alleluia
Matthew 8:17
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ took away our infirmities
and bore our diseases.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues,
preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
