REFLECTION FOR FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR (B)

REFLECTION FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY

 IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR (B) – February 4, 2018

Office: Psalter Week I                                                                      Liturgical Colour: Green

Today’s Reading:

1st Reading: Job 7:1-4.6-7
Responsorial: Psalm 147:1-2.3-4.5-6 (R. 3a)

2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19.22-23

Accl. Matthew 8:17
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

Theme: Total Freedom in Christ the Redeemer

Obviously, the celebration of the Ordinary Time of the Church’s liturgical year often puts us on the know about the public ministry of Christ. Today, from the table of the word, the Holy Mother Church presents to us yet another fascinating episode of Christ’s public life and ministry. The Gospel reading of today provides the answer to mind-troubled questions from the first reading taken from the book of Job 7:1-4, 6-7. Job’s lamentation in this reading is a reflection of the terrible events we often find ourselves in this world. We are being engulfed with stories of sudden death, killings, protracted illnesses, hunger, religious crises and so long the list.

Perusing through the Book of Job, one will come to terms about the ugly challenges that Job faced, having lost all that he had, abandoned by friends and relatives, once influential wealthy man became an object of mockery. This put him in a bending corner to doubt God’s existence, but he never did that, believing that God will one day redeem him from the shackles of these threats to human existence. This is quite the same fate most of us are passing through in various ways. The upsurge of these unexpected occurrences in our society invoke in us so many questions. Some even go further to ask “Where is God?” But the answers to these questions are not farfetch.

In response to these mind blowing questions bothering human suffering, Christ in today’s Gospel pericope provides answers to them. We are told, on leaving the Synagogue, He entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John, there He saw Simon Peter’s mother-in-law laying sick with fever (cf. Mark 1:29-30a). Christ was moved with pity, extended his hand and touched her, immediately the fever left her and she began to wait on them. In this dramatic scene, we have seen that Christ is always there and ready to give a touch to our suffering and coming into various life circumstances bothering us. He is ever ready, but sometimes we seem to be far-off from this healing hand. As a prophet and teacher, He taught and spoke with authority, pronouncing healing and freedom to those in captivity.

Amidst His busy schedule He still creates time to be with His Father in prayer (cf. Mark 1:35). This is yet another clarion call on us to pause a while and talk to God and at the same time listen to Him who always speaks to our troubled souls: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  No matter how life may toss us, God is still telling us: “I am with you always…” (Matthew 28:20).

Finally, my beloved brethren, put on the garment of faith in Him, and truly He will never fail or disappoint you. And at the end, we will certainly have the cause to join the Psalmist saying: “Praise the Lord who heals the broken-hearted”. I pray with you and for you, that may the good Lord in His mercy come to our assistance as we continue our pilgrimage in this earthly life, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you!

REV. PIUSRALH EFFIONG, SMMM   piusralphe@gmail.com +2348 0668 90324