4 February 2018
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Job 7:1-4,6-7
Psalm: Ps 146:1-6
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
The Gospel of Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Christ Healing the Mother of Simon Peter’s Wife Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
Jesus came to Preach and to Heal
The Saviour sometimes after being asked, sometimes of His own accord, heals the sick, shewing that He always assents to the prayers of the faithful, when they pray also against bad passions, and sometimes gives them to understand things, or else, when they pray unto Him dutifully, forgives their lack of understanding; as the Psalmist begs of God, “Cleanse me, O Lord, from hidden faults.” [Ps 19:12]
By giving his gifts of healing and doctrine most abundantly on the Sabbath, He teaches that He is not under the Law, but above the Law, and does not choose the Jewish Sabbath, but the true Sabbath, and our rest is pleasing to the Lord, if, in order to attend to the health of our souls, we abstain from slavish work, that is, from all unlawful things.
It goes on, “And immediately the fever left her.” The health which is conferred at the command of the Lord, returns at once entire, accompanied with such strength that she is able to [p. 29] minister to those of whose help she had before stood in need. Again, if we suppose that the man delivered from the devil means, in the moral way of interpretation, the soul purged from unclean thoughts, fitly does the woman cured of a fever by the command of God mean the flesh, restrained from the heat of concupiscence by the precept of continence.
Catena Aurea, (Venerable Bede)
This week’s feasts
Mon 5 Saint Agatha, Virgin, Martyr
Tue 6 Saints Paul Miki and his Companions, Martyrs
Thu 8 Saint Jerome Emilian. Also Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin
Sat 10 Saint Scholastica, Virgin
Psalter Week I
Readings for 6th Sunday
1st: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Psalm: 31:1-2, 5,11.
2nd: 1 Corinthians 10:31, 11:1
Gospel: Mark 1:40-45
Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Agatha was born in Sicily around the year 230, we do not know the exact date of her death, but it was likely under the persecution of Decius (250-253). Her name is mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I), as well as in several poems, records of the Church (Martyrologium) and we have two acts of her martyrdom, which may have been embellished with legend, here we read that Agatha was a beautiful woman from a distinguished family. When Senator Quintianus’ advances to her were rejected, he took her and put her under the charge of a woman known for her seductive arts to corrupt the youth, however, Agatha showed unswerving firmness in the Christian faith. Quintianus then became furious and subjected her to various forms of cruel torture, including cutting off her breasts, it was then that the virgin had a vision of St. Peter who healed her, although, she eventually died under the cruel tortures. St. Agatha is often depicted in art carrying her breasts on a platter and she is patron saint of breast cancer patients among other things.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
St. Paul’s Passion of the Lord 2018 is in the making. It will be on April 1st. WE NEED ACTORS. Please contact Fr. Fernando at 9993 3130.
Re-cycling to help the Hospice Bins are in the basement car park at the back of the Hospice. All recyclables taken.
We Need Volunteers at the Parish Hall to help with bar stocktaking and/or with the disabled equipment storage. Contact Fr. Jim 9979 3169
Early Lent in 2018: Ash Wednesday is 14th February. Friday Mass will be at 11.30am, Stations of the Cross at 12. Join us for cup of soup, roll and cheese afterwards. Donation 5€. (To help Hospice and Caritas).
Organ Recital at Agia Kyriaki Mon 5 Feb at 12pm to help the Hospice midday. All are welcome.
CARITAS is looking for people to join the Caritas Committee. Please contact Wendy at 9904 0294. We also need duvets and gas heaters. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Mass Times HERE