Jesus invites us to participate in his liberating mission, bringing to troubled hearts, to the sick and suffering, the consolation and solidarity that come from the Gospel. Let us celebrate the Lord's Easter, which shines in us every time we commit ourselves to rescuing and defending life.
Gospel: Mark 1,29-39 Christ took upon himself our pains, / carried our weaknesses in his body (Mt 8:17). – R. Proclamation of the holy Gospel according to Mark – At that time, 29Jesus left the synagogue and went, with James and John, to the house of Simon and Andrew. 30Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus. 31And he came to her, took her hand, and helped her to get up. Then the fever disappeared, and she began to serve them. 32In the afternoon, after sunset, they brought all the sick and those possessed by the devil to Jesus. 33The whole city gathered in front of the house. 34Jesus healed many people from various illnesses and cast out many demons. And he didn't let the demons speak, because they knew who he was. 35Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went to pray in a deserted place. 36Simon and his companions went looking for Jesus. 37When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38Jesus replied, “Let’s go to other places, to the nearby villages! I must also preach there, because that is why I came.” 39And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. – Word of salvation. Reflection: The presence and passage of Jesus through homes, squares and synagogues provoke a salutary turnaround. Everyone wants to benefit from his presence. Jesus does not disappoint them. With admirable disposition, he is busy teaching, healing, expelling the forces of evil and praying. Accompanied by his four first disciples, Jesus restores Peter's mother-in-law to health, and she soon puts herself at the service of the small community. In the afternoon, all the sick and demon-possessed come to be cured. Jesus asks them not to tell anyone what was happening. Why? So as not to harm your mission. The leaders of the people, upon finding out, could suspect some popular movement or revolt, arrest their leader (Jesus) and put an end to the “party”! Jesus avoids publicity, but does not fail to fulfill the mission for which he came. Good Master, a day of intense activity absorbs you. You start by healing Pedro's mother-in-law. There are still many cures. First Reading: Job 7:1-4:6-7 Human life is built amidst struggles and tribulations. In this reality, the Word of God always brings us the necessary support and encourages liberating action in favor of the most fragile. Reading from the book of Job – Job said: 1 “Is not man’s life on earth a struggle? Aren't his days like a mercenary's days? 2As a slave longs for the shadow, as a hired hand awaits his pay, 3so I gained months of disappointment, and nights of suffering fell to me. 4If I lie down, I think: When will I be able to get up? And, at dawn, I wait again for the afternoon and fill myself with suffering until nightfall. 6My days run faster than a loom's shuttle and are consumed without hope. 7Remember that my life is just a breath and my eyes will never see happiness again!” - Word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm: 146(147) Praise God, because he is good and comforts hearts. 1. Praise the Lord God, because he is good, † sing to our God, because he is gentle: / he is worthy of praise, he deserves it! / The Lord rebuilt Jerusalem / and the scattered Israel gathered again. – R. 2. He comforts the broken hearts, / he binds their wounds and heals them; / he fixes the number of all the stars / and calls each one by its name. – R. 3. Our God is great and omnipotent, / knowing him has no measure or limits. / The Lord God is the support of the humble, / but he bends those who are wicked to the ground. – R. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9,16-19,22-23 Reading of Saint Paul's first letter to the Corinthians – Brothers, 16preaching the Gospel is not a reason for glory for me. It is rather a necessity for me, an imposition. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! 17If I performed my role as a preacher on my own initiative, I would be entitled to a salary. But, as the initiative is not mine, it is a task entrusted to me. 18What then does my salary consist of? In preaching the Gospel, offering it for free, without using the rights that the Gospel gives me. 19So, being free from everyone, I became a slave to everyone, in order to win as many as possible. 22I made myself weak with the weak, that I might win the weak. With everyone, I did everything, to certainly save some. 23For the sake of the Gospel I do everything, to have part in it. - Word of the Lord. Gospel: Mark 1,29-39 Christ took upon himself our pains, / carried our weaknesses in his body (Mt 8:17). – R. Proclamation of the holy Gospel according to Mark – At that time, 29Jesus left the synagogue and went, with James and John, to the house of Simon and Andrew. 30Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus. 31And he came to her, took her hand, and helped her to get up. Then the fever disappeared, and she began to serve them. 32In the afternoon, after sunset, they brought all the sick and those possessed by the devil to Jesus. 33The whole city gathered in front of the house. 34Jesus healed many people from various illnesses and cast out many demons. And he didn't let the demons speak, because they knew who he was. 35Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went to pray in a deserted place. 36Simon and his companions went looking for Jesus. 37When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38Jesus replied, “Let’s go to other places, to the nearby villages! I must also preach there, because that is why I came.” 39And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. – Word of salvation. Reflection: The presence and passage of Jesus through homes, squares and synagogues provoke a salutary turnaround. Everyone wants to benefit from his presence. Jesus does not disappoint them. With admirable disposition, he is busy teaching, healing, expelling the forces of evil and praying. Accompanied by his four first disciples, Jesus restores Peter's mother-in-law to health, and she soon puts herself at the service of the small community. In the afternoon, all the sick and demon-possessed come to be cured. Jesus asks them not to tell anyone what was happening. Why? So as not to harm your mission. The leaders of the people, upon finding out, could suspect some popular movement or revolt, arrest their leader (Jesus) and put an end to the “party”! Jesus avoids publicity, but does not fail to fulfill the mission for which he came. Good Master, a day of intense activity absorbs you. You start by healing Pedro's mother-in-law. There are still many cures.