Sunday 7 February

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147:1-6; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39

Jesus and Peter’s mother-in-law

This passage is an encouraging one for women in Jesus’ time and in our time too. For a rabbi to heal a woman and to take her by the hand was taboo. Jesus breaks this Jewish custom by healing Simon’s mother-in-law and allowing himself to be served by her. This highlights Jesus’ attitude towards women as well as drawing attention to the issue of a woman’s place in the Jewish tradition. Perhaps this healing event invites us to go beyond some of our traditional cultural values, and spread kindness, gentleness and inclusiveness like Jesus.