REFLECTION
In touching Simon’s mother-in-law and then
allowing her to serve him, Jesus is breaking
down traditional barriers. He brings wholeness
and holiness to her by his presence. The
Kingdom of God cannot tolerate prejudice and
taboo just as sickness and evil have no place in
the Kingdom. This text show us a typical day for
Jesus- the first of his ministry. He listens to the
Word of God, then worships with his community;
he relaxes in the home of a friend; he pursues his
work of healing and preaching and, before dawn,
he withdraws alone to develop his relationship
with the Father through prayer. There is a
wonderful pattern of balance here between
prayer, work and rest. When his disciples find
him, they want him to return to Capernaum to
the acclaim he is receiving. Instead, Jesus
insists that the boundaries of the Kingdom be
pushed out. It is for this that he came!

REFLECTION
In contrast to last week’s text on
John the Baptist, this one comes from
the latest of the written Gospels.
John was penned at the very end of the
first century. One common characteristic,
however, is clear: the Baptist is again
presented as the forerunner.
John the Baptist rejects all messianic
or quasi-messianic titles.
He throws human expectation into chaos.
He claims for himself only the role of
the ‘voice’ of Isaiah 40, but the
evangelist presents him as the most
reliable of witnesses,
’Sent by God … to speak for the light.’
The only other person in John’s Gospel
to come from God is Jesus himself.
Before an audience of the leaders
of the religion of Israel, John witnesses
with an authority and a truthfulness
that has its source in God.

REFLECTION
The prophet Isaiah brought a message
of hope and comfort to the people of Israel
who were in exile in Babylon.
Despite their failings, God is merciful and has
promised them a new beginning.
John the Baptist appears in the line of that
prophet and again promises Israel the chance
of a new beginning if they repent
and turn again towards God.
The emphasis in Mark’s portrait of the Baptist
is very much that of the subordinate.
John’s self-effacing manner makes it clear
that he is not the one who is promised,
but the one who is to prepare the way.
The emphasis in John’s preaching is on
judgment; for Jesus is the Reign of God
and salvation.
Advent is also a time of new beginnings and
John the Baptist’s ‘voice in the wilderness’
is also a personal invitation to each of us to
prepare a way for the Lord into our lives now.
What special preparation for Christmas
will you undertake this year?

REFLECTION
During Advent, in each year of the
three-year cycles, the theme of the first week
looks to the endtimes - the eschaton -
with an emphasis on the second
coming of Jesus and the need to be ready.
In the early church there was an expectation
that Jesus would return quickly.
In their post -Easter faith, believers
knew that Jesus had been taken up to heaven
at the ascension (a man traveling abroad
as mentioned in this Gospel?)
and that he was remaining with God until the
time came for him to return in triumph.
For Mark, it is now the church which waits
and must remain always ready to greet
the Master on his return.
The ‘waiting’ theme of Advent is established
we await the birth of the child and we await the
fulfillment of human history at the endtimes
when Jesus comes again.

REFLECTION
Over the last few weeks the Gospel texts have
dealt with issues of being prepared,
staying ready and using our gifts well.
In some ways, all these themes
culminate in today’s text.
This Gospel presents us with the bottom line!
Are we judged worthy of a place in the kingdom?
The criteria for being judged worthy are very
clear - it is how we have
served those most in need.
This is what will count. If we do not see Christ in
our brothers and sisters in need, then our faith is
blind and will not lead to the kingdom.
There is another aspect of this Gospel which
should not be overlooked.
It is the apocalyptic vision of the Son of Man
coming in glory and reigning
over all the nations as King.
To the King belongs the right of judgement
and reward or punishment.
While Matthew’s community was in the
‘in-between’ time, the evangelist held before
them the central truth that the Son of Man,
the King, will come again in His glory to judge.