5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME B
BUT MOM, NOTHING IS HAPPENING!
MK 1: 29-39
MESSAGE
At the commencement of Mark’s gospel, the Lord Jesus promptly embarks on proclaiming his message and disseminating the love of God through miraculous healings. He not only restores the physically afflicted but also alleviates those who are spiritually and mentally tormented. From the time of Jesus to the apostles, martyrs, saints, and down to the present, we, the believers in the Lord, continue to uphold his power to save. This salvation extends beyond sin, encompassing our physical and spiritual defects and lacks.
While many people today testify to the healing power of God when they pray, there are also those who attempt prayer in moments of need, only to eventually cry out, “Lord, why is it that nothing seems to happen?” This perplexes believers and brings desperation to those who place their trust in the Lord. A mother shared with me her anguish when her sick daughter posed that question—a question she could not answer for both her daughter and herself.
How do we comprehend the miracle of healing? Healing is not magic; it is not an instantaneous relief. The prayer for healing signifies trust. We trust that the Lord acknowledges our sufferings and hears our pleas. We trust in his benevolent intention to liberate us from all that causes us pain. However, we also trust that he will heal us in the time he appoints, in the manner he desires, and in accordance with his design for our salvation. Waiting for healing instills the virtues of patience and perseverance, revealing to us the will of God, which may differ from our own. Waiting for healing demands total surrender to what is best in the mind of the Lord.
REFLECT
Have you prayed for healing and received what you desired? Give thanks and praise to Jesus! Have you tried prayer but witnessed no change in your life? Then, wait. Wait with patience. Wait with surrender. Wait in hope! Jesus will not disappoint.
