Mark 1:29-31. Jesus leaves the synagogue and goes to Simon and Andrew's house, along with James and John. They immediately tell Jesus about Simon's mother-in-law who is sick with a fever, "[a]nd he came up and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them."

I have to admit, I was hoping for a reading about Mary for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception today, but I did get a reading about a mother! Simon obviously has his mother-in-law living with him - that in and of itself is beautiful to me. I love when younger generations care for their aging relatives, especially in their homes, keeping them involved in daily family life. One reason I am sad right now is because my parents are aging, and my dad is ill, and I cannot help care for them due to COVID concerns. I can't even really see them in person, or hug them or kiss them, it is tragic and hearbreaking and I pray on it every day.

This scene in Mark's Gospel is very early after Jesus met Simon and it is the first time Jesus has been to Simon's house. As soon as He arrives, they "immediately" tell Jesus of Simon's mother-in-law - it is the first thing they do. (How long had she been sick, I wonder? How long had Simon and his wife been caring for her?) Of course Jesus knew of her and of her illness and He knew He would cure her, I'm sure it was one of the reasons, if not the main reason, that He came to the house. But Simon and his wife did not know Jesus was coming. They had been nursing her through her illness and maybe they had lost some hope, as I often find myself doing.

This reading today teaches me that I have to remember that Jesus knows me and he knows my parents, He knows all of our situations. He will come to our "house" when the time is right, He will take us by the hand and lift us up when we are ready to serve Him with our healed bodies, as Simon's mother-in-law does. In the meantime, I must trust and pray, and get myself more ready to serve him.