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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

Simon's mother-in-law

Opinion

Simon's mother-in-law

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gospel • Mark 1:29-39

The Jews and other Mediterranean people in Jesus’ time were patrilocal. As norm, the woman would stay in her husband’s house, or in the house of her married son, not with the family of her married daughter who now belonged to her husband’s family.
In Capernaum, Simon and his family—and Andrew—stayed in the house of their father Jonah. We are told that Simon’s mother-in-law was there. Was that for a visit or a more permanent stay? The family immediately “told about her” (v 30) to Jesus who healed her and restored her to them.

This suggests that the mother-in-law was a welcome presence. That she immediately waited on Jesus and his first disciples demonstrates that her healing was instantaneous and complete. Her service of hospitality shows her gratitude, expected of those who have been healed and saved by Jesus (Mk 10:43-45).

Gratefulness to the Lord is expressed through service to the community of believers. Jesus would tell his disciples to leave behind family and property to follow him. This does not mean that separation was permanent. Jesus would certainly allow his apostles to go and visit their families to see if they were secure and provided for.

The priority of preaching the Gospel does not excuse one from neglecting one’s parents and loved ones. In fact, Jesus condemns the use of qorban, or things dedicated to God, as a way for the Jews to evade their rightful duty to God to care for their aged parents (Mk 7:11).

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025.” E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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