JESUS - WHO HEALS THE BROKEN-HEARTED

Blessed Sunday to everyone!  Do you experience a sense of drudgery in life? Like the challenges of life in terms of health, finances, family & other relationships keep weighing you down & preventing you from having the peace of mind that you so desire?  That you are running like a mouse on a revolving wheel, expending a lot of effort & energy, and not going anywhere? How about not feeling any sense of fulfillment, joy or satisfaction even if you are by all measures successful in life?  That you are merely existing but not really living?  If so, you would be able to connect with the 1st Reading from Job 7:1-4,6-7 & the situation that Job is facing.

Against this backdrop of somewhat depressing state of affairs, we are challenged to shift our focus away from our trying situations & turn to the Lord Jesus; to sing out with joy & thanksgiving the Response to Psalm 147: “Praise the Lord who heals the broken-hearted.” (cf Psalm 147:3). Let’s learn this wisdom from our readings when we encounter trials & difficulties – Give Praise & Thanks to God Always!

In the Gospel today, Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law & also the many people who came to Him seeking healing from the diseases that were afflicting them, & deliverance from the evil spirits oppressing them.  They too, experienced the love & mercy of the Lord, and they too praised & thanked the Lord. It is worthwhile to note the example of Simon’s mother-in-law.  After Jesus healed her of her fever, she began to wait on them & serve them (cf Mark 1:31). She expressed her gratitude by a tangible action of service.  When we experience the comfort & healing of Jesus in our life or in the lives of our loved ones, can we likewise follow her example?  Can we take it one step further & tell others of what Jesus has done for us? In so doing, we imitate St Paul in sharing the good news (preach the gospel) of the Lord’s love & mercy (cf 1 Corinthians 9:16).