Ideals of Ministry

Gospel: Mark 1: 29-39

In today's Gospel portion relating the healing of Peter's mother-in-law we find the core of all effective pastoral ministry.  We encounter a sick person in need.  People invite Jesus to visit her.  He asks them about her life and personality, and they share information and stories about her.  Jesus then simply approaches her, holds her hand, and helps her up from her bed.  Here there is no fanfare, no magic words or ointments.  There is just concern, compassion, listening, presence, and invitation that bring healing.

Once she is restored to health, Peter's mother-in-law then demonstrates to us the proper response of the disciple who has received healing at the presence of Jesus.  She does not go about telling people about it.  She says nothing at all.  She simply gets up and serves other people.  This is what each of us is called to do in our lives as well.  When we become conscious of the presence of the Lord, of his healing effect in our lives, our task is simply to serve and extend mercy to others without any fanfare.

In this one simple passage and story we have the entire Gospel, the entire program of pastoral ministry and care for others.  It is to have empathy for others, to listen to the stories of other people with caring presence, and to invite others to rise again.  And when we are the ones to rise from our sick beds in response to the Lord's invitation, we are to simply serve others in the same way, to provide that same healing and care to others in deeds of love and mercy.