In today’s Gospel, Mark paints a picture of an untiring Jesus, as our Lord cures Simon’s mother-in-law, receives and heals the sick and possessed of the town, and then rises well before dawn to go and pray. Imagine the scores of people that Jesus saw and ministered to in that single day—it must have been exhausting! Yet when Simon and the other disciples searching for Jesus find him and say, “Everyone is looking for you,” Jesus responds, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” Jesus continues to pour himself out for the people, not only in Capernaum but throughout the whole region of Galilee.
Today, let us spend time contemplating Jesus in his dedication to and love for all his people, particularly the sick and those oppressed by the evil one. May gazing at the one who comes as our healer and deliverer inflame our hearts with love for him and confirm us as his disciples!