Consider the Word, February 4, 2021

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Readings for February 7

• Isaiah 40:21-31
• Psalm 147:1-12, 21c
• 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
• Mark 1:29-39

 
Collect

Merciful Lord,

grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,

that we may be cleansed from all our sins

and serve you with a quiet mind;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: Mark 1:29-39

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured 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. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." He answered, "Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. 

 
Reflection Questions

1. Even though there remains many needy people in Capernaum, Jesus doesn’t go back there. What lesson can we learn from this story? 
2. To what unique task is God calling us? 
3. Even though there are so many worthy endeavors, what good are we if we burn out?  
4. Prayer requires taking time apart and being patient. Are we patient enough to listen and wait in silence?  

 
Closing Prayer

Everlasting God,

you give strength to the powerless and power to the faint;

you raise up the sick

and cast out demons.

Make us agents of healing and wholeness,

that your good news may be made known

to the ends of your creation. Amen.

 
The Message: Mark 1:29-39

^29-31 Directly on leaving the meeting place, they came to Simon and Andrew’s house, accompanied by James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning up with fever. They told Jesus. He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up. No sooner had the fever left than she was up fixing dinner for them.

^32-34 That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, the whole city lined up at his door! He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits. Because the demons knew his true identity, he didn’t let them say a word.

The Leper

^35-37 While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. Simon and those with him went looking for him. They found him and said, “Everybody’s looking for you.”

^38-39 Jesus said, “Let’s go to the rest of the villages so I can preach there also. This is why I’ve come.” He went to their meeting places all through Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons.

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson