What would be my Response after going from the Church

Gospel Thoughts*

*Fifth Week : Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 1:29-39*

*First Reading -  Job 7:1-4, 6-7*

*Second Reading 1Cor 9 :16-19, 22-23*

*What would be my Response after going from the Church*

*1) Jesus and His disciples were there in the Synagogue*

The Gospel of the day stats with *On leaving the Synagogue*

Now synagogue was a place of prayer, divine encounter, a place to spend time with God and to spiritual activities

The very fact that Jesus was in this Holy place either to pray silently, or to read the scriptures, or to pray with the people or to teach to the people about the Kingdom of God 

So when we reflect about Jesus' appearance in the synagogue these things are highlighted.

*2) Coming out the Synagogue Jesus goes to meet a sick person*

Soon after coming out of the synagogue, Jesus didn't go to His house or to spend time in entertainment or in Gossip. 

He straight away to Simons House to meet his mother in law and to be with her for some time. 

Finally Jesus cured the mother in law of Simon. 

Here we see the direct effect of Jesus prayer in performing the healing ministry

From the synagogue He goes for healing ministry

So there is close connection between what Jesus does in synagogue and what does He practices out side the synagogue 

He walked the talk. He did What He preached. Great point to be noted 

*3) Disciples took Jesus along with them from the Synagogue*

As they departed from the synagogue, the four of the disciples Simon, Andrew, James and John took Jesus along with them 

They didn't leave Jesus in the synagogue. Very important point to note 

Taking Jesus along with them was very necessary for the disciples and it had very deep meaning for their life and ministry

Without Jesus they wouldn't go from the synagogue. 

*4) Accompaniment of James and John*

From synagogue Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew. In other words Simon and James took Jesus to their house 

But James and John accompanied Jesus to their friends house 

Giving accompaniment where Jesus was going going was very important for james and John 

They didn't bother about whose house it is but they wanted to be with Jesus so they accompanied Jesus to the house of Simon and Andrew 

*5) Where do I go from the Church/Synagogue after the Mass*

Towards the end priests says, *the mass is ended go in the peace of Christ to love and serve the Lord*

What about this? Do I really take this view very seriously or just I ignore the whole thing and I go back to my own world without bothering anything? 

Jesus went to visit and heal the sick. Where do I go? For party, entertainment, wasting time in unnecessary things like gossip. think about it 

*6) Do I eger to take Jesus with me to my House*

In fact Simon and Andrew were Eger to take Jesus into their house 

Am I ready to take Jesus into my house. Taking Jesus into my heart also means taking Him to my life, every sphere of my life and involving Jesus in my life in everything

*7) Accompanying Jesus like James and John*

This is at least what we must do in our life 

If other things are not possible involve yourselves wherever Jesus is active so that one can involve very actively in the mission of Christ

*8) In the evening the Whole town was at the door of the House*

Importance of evening time is highlighted 

Evening time in the family was a miraculous time 

Evening time in the house turned house into a synagogue/ Church 

What a beautiful thing. What they celebrated in the morning in the synagogue evening it was performed in the house 

House practically became a synagogue/Church 

Sick people were there, people with possesion of unclean spirit, all sorts of sick people and miracles happened there 

What a wonderful sight that was in the house in the evening 

House turned into a synagogue.

This is the power of taking Jesus into our house and turning our house into a church or synagogue

*9) All of us should try to turn our houses into church after the Eucharistic celebration in the Church*

For this Prayer is necessary in the house in the evenings 

Coming together in the evenings in the house is must 

Need to realise that evening time for prayer is a miraculous time for great change and divine experience

So am I ready for this challenging task?

Have a blessed Sunday

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*