Because he was tested, he can sympathize with those who are tested
Hebrews 2:14-18
Mark 1:29-39
Whenever a person or an institution gives a free service that is beneficial to people, three things are bound to happen. First, a beneficiary who later becomes needy again and who knows that the benefactor can deal with this need is likely to return for more favors. Secondly, those who see the need of the beneficiary dealt with and have needs of their own, or those to whom the beneficiary narrates about the bounty of the benefactor are likely also to come want to benefit from the generous person or institution. Thirdly, unless the benefactor has a constant supply to draw from, a time is likely to come when they have no more to give. Before that time, they become increasingly tired and stressed.
Today’s gospel narrates how Jesus, after healing a possessed man in the synagogue, was received in Simon’s home, presumably to have some rest and something to eat before setting off for the next destination. In the home, he found Simon’s mother-in-law sick and healed her first before sitting down to eat. Then because news had quickly gone around of his teaching and preaching, other people came crowding the compound of Simon, so that he had to attend to them until late in the night.
From today’s readings, we draw two valuable lessons for ourselves for times of stress that is caused by service to others. The first is our need to pray. The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews has told us in the first reading, that Jesus is truly human like us. “Since the children share in blood and Flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them...” Like us, Jesus also felt the need to replenish his resources. So, long before it was dawn, knowing that in the morning people would already come looking for him, he went to a lonely place to pray. Prayer was for him the source of strength and inspiration. In this, he gave us an example. We cannot afford to ignore God the unlimited source of our strength if we must continue to attend to others.
The second is the courage to say “no” when this is necessary. ‘Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose, have I come.”’ Jesus’ refusal was not a “no” for the sake of selfish personal convenience. Rather it was a “no” to those who would selfishly rather retain him for themselves, in order to serve others as well. There are circumstances in which we too have to say, no to people.
