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29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." 8 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1:29-39 ESV Bible)
Dear Friend, may the blessings of the Lord fall gently on you and bring you peace! This is the gospel reading for the last Sunday of Epiphany with next the following Sunday being The Transfiguration of Our Lord. Our brother, The Rev. Scott Bradford, still under observation for heart issues, passed a kidney stone this weekend. Please be in prayer for our friend asking God's comfort and peace be with him and his family. Also, from Mr. Gilbert Tagle's wife, Alma Arevalo, she shares, "Gilbert went into cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning here at home. He's hospitalized in ICU and they're keeping him sedated and intubated for now, but doctors are hoping that as they gradually bring him out of sedation, he'll have good responses. He's undergone several tests to determine the extent of organ and brain function, and for now, it's a time to wait and hope for favorable results. Our trust is in the Lord and We sincerely thank you for all your prayers!" Please continue to pray for Gilbert, Alma and all who are praying for him.
A certain church in my district once spent good money remaking their entrance, and they made a big deal about it. I should add this happened before I arrived as their district superintendent, so when I went to meet them they made a big show of that entrance. I asked if they had made a big deal about their going out? We can make a big deal about gathering but we seldom make a big deal about going out.. A younger pastor, some years later in a bigger church came up with "Folks, I'm going to invite you to face the mission field (yes and people gripe about having to turn around in that tight space between pews) because that is where our work begins and where we will find what we need to do." And in this passage that is what we are seeing; Jesus and others had gathered to worship, to be instructed, and to do all that was part of their worship life. It wasn't until Jesus went out of the worship area to the home where there was a need that he began His ministry of service. And, many jokingly wonder why Jesus chose to heal and make well a Mother-in-law; but that was where the need was, and Jesus met that need. To have a fever in those days was a serious concern, very similar to the parents of their firstborn when that baby gets a fever! Simon Peter loved his MIL and so he tells Jesus "immediately" about her illness, and Jesus heals her. Some have even suggested that that was just because he preferred her cooking over any others in that home, because she began to serve them.
Sundown brought many to bring their sick to this home so they could be healed. Those who were oppressed by demons were also brought to Him so that He could set them free, and soon "the whole city was gathered together at the door." And all diseases and all demons were cast out, and finally Jesus had to find a place to rest for much was the work He had done. There He prayed. Soon the disciples find Him and call Him, "Everyone is looking for you." And Jesus returns and starts His ministry in neighboring towns.
Our. ministry of service begins when we realize we must step outside our comfort zones. We need, no, must go beyond that which can and usually does, lull us to inactivity. Let us go beyond the routines to encounter the needs of the world around us. Yes, we gather and do enjoy and need fellowship, but when we spend all our time in fellowship, we neglect the perishing and may lose them for all eternity if we don't turn to face them to rescue them. Let our prayers ask God to make us aware of the needs and to show us how best to reach them.
Jesus' model teaches us to make time to pray, even in the midst of serving others; may we prioritize our spiritual life. Prayer is the fuel that sustains us and guides us into action. May our prayers also show us how to best share the message of hope with all people. Ours is a message of love and grace from God meant to be shared with the whole world. May our thoughts, words, and actions reflect that with all people.
PRAYER: Loving God, let us be a blessing to those in need. Help us be the blessing that brings love, hope, and peace from God. May our lives become vessels of service to all people; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Let us carry within us the spirit of service exemplified by Jesus. May we be attentive to the needs around us, offering compassion and hope wherever we go.
Please know that I love you and thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
