29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Simon’s Mother–in–law
30 Now Simon’s mother–in–law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
Busy Evening
32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Prayer
35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.
Mission
36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Every one is searching for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
GOSPEL EXPLANATION: Mk. 1: 29–39
29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. — In 1968 archeological studies were done on what was regarded as this house. It was about thirty meters from the synagogue. It contained several rooms and was built around a courtyard so that two families, perhaps those of Simon and Andrew, could live there. Later it became a church and continued to exist until the seventh century.
Simon’s mother–in–law was one of those who lived there as recorded by the Gospel passage. There is no mention of Simon’s wife or children. Nevertheless we read in I Corinthians 9: 5, “Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife [the translation could also be “a woman” or “sister”] as the other apostles and the brethren of the Lord and Cephas?” Cephas is the same person as Simon or Peter. Most likely his wife was one of that group of women who accompanied the apostles on their journeys. There is no mention here or elsewhere that Simon made provision for his family and the running of the house when he left to follow Jesus. If his wife travelled with him he obviously provided for her.
It is quite clear from this passage that Jesus expected Simon to leave his family home and give himself entirely to the mission of Jesus. Shortly the four disciples moved with Jesus to his home (Mk. 3: 19).
30 Now Simon’s mother–in–law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
Now Simon’s mother–in–law lay sick with a fever” — This was the cure of a sick woman. The previous miracle was the exorcism of a man. Simon’s mother–in–law is central to this reading and it is important to have some idea of the status of women in the Jewish world. The Holy Land of her time was patriarchal and she and all women, while created in the image and likeness of God, were treated as subject and inferior to men because of original sin.
Jesus had no taboos in dealing with women, unlike the rabbis who maintained that contact with a woman defiled them in the Law. This is the main theme in this miracle — Jesus will not tolerate any religious taboos against women. For him, men and women are equal and to be treated as such.
“and immediately they told him of her.” — From the word “immediately” we realise that it was still the Sabbath. That meant that Simon’s house was close to the synagogue, perhaps about 30 meters, as long travel was not permitted on the Sabbath.
“And he came and took her by the hand” — Such was the Jewish culture of the day that no Jewish man would ‘take a woman by the hand’. Jesus could have been accused of violating the Sabbath by touching this woman. As just stated, he intended to show that he was opposed to taboos concerning women.
“and lifted her up” — These words are a play on the word for resurrection, an indication that Jesus shares his future resurrection with her.
With the words “lifted her up” the meaning is conveyed that salvation had come to this house. We can link this miracle to Simon Peter’s obedience in following Jesus’ call. If he had not followed Jesus his mother–in–law would not have met Jesus and been cured. Nor would salvation have been brought to the family in this house.
There is the symbolic meaning of this miracle. The woman represents the sinner overcome by evil, sin. Jesus raises her up and she is then capable of and does serve him and others. To be a person of service to others one should share the resurrected life.
and the fever left her; and she served them. — The mother–in–law was cured perfectly with no lingering weakness to hold her back from preparing and serving a meal. The cure was perfect, showing that Jesus had the authority to heal completely. However, women were not allowed serve meals to men, yet another taboo to which Jesus objected.
There are five regular stages of a miracle: sickness or problem, request, touch, cure and sign of cure.
32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
“That evening, at sundown,” — “Sundown”, not midnight, marked the end of each of the seven days of the week including the Sabbath, and the beginning of a new day. Restrictions on travel and work such as carrying the sick and disabled, or even curing them, were no longer in force for the Sabbath which had just ended with sunset. They had to wait for the following day, that is any time after sunset.
“they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered together about the door.” — By mentioning “all who were sick or possessed” and “the whole city”, Mark describes a very large crowd.
“And he healed many who were sick with various diseases,” — We were told in the previous words that the people “brought to him all who were sick” The present words say that “he healed many who were sick”. Can we deduce from these two words that Jesus did not heal each sick person? The answer is that “all” and “many” mean the same, namely “all”. Jesus did cure “all” and they were “many”. During the consecration at Mass there is a similar use of “many” meaning “all” in the words “the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many”. Jesus gave his life for all mankind, not just some.
“and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.” — Jesus would not allow the demons to speak and identify him as the Messiah and divine because the people had a view of the Messiah being a political leader who would overcome the Roman invaders. Jesus did not wish this idea to circulate about him because it was wrong. He came to establish the Kingdom of God, to overcome sin and evil, not to be a political leader.
35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.
“And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.” — This is the first time Mark shows us Jesus (i) at prayer, (ii) in “a lonely place”, a “wilderness”, Jesus’ favourite place for prayer; see also Mk. 6: 30–32; and (iii) why he prayed. Mark will mention Jesus at prayer twice in the future: Mk. 6: 45–47 and 14: 32–35.
Why did Jesus seek “a lonely place”? The people who gathered around Jesus after sunset some hours before did so not because they believed in him but because they had heard that he was a great miracle worker and they wished to avail of his services. Jesus, full of compassion, was quite willing to oblige. However, that was not his mission as expressed by God’s will, which was to announce the establishment of the Kingdom of God and an invitation to join by repentance and faith (Mk. 1: 15). It was quite clear from the crowds that gathered around him that he was a wonderful success. So early in the morning, long before dawn, he got up and “went to a lonely place” to pray to his Father. His strength was in prayer by which he knew and did his Father’s will. It is not a matter of doing good, even in a loving way, but of doing God’s will in God’s way.
36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Every one is searching for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
“And Simon and those who were with him” — Those with him most likely were Andrew, James and John.
“pursued him, and they found him and said to him, ‘Every one is searching for you.’” — The Greek word for “pursued” has an unfriendly meaning or tone. Simon and the others were not pleased that Jesus had disappeared and so could not continue his streak of popularity and acclaim. Their words were a slight reprimand to Jesus.
They had misunderstood Jesus’ mission. Simon presumed that Jesus wanted to cure as many sick and possessed as they could find. Simon did not connect the miracles with Jesus’ mission of establishing the Kingdom of God. This misunderstanding of Jesus and his mission by the disciples will be a regular feature in Mark’s Gospel. This can be a lesson for us.
“And he said to them, ‘Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.’” — Jesus corrects Simon’s view–point. His mission is the establishment of the Kingdom of God and the people are meant to embrace this by repentance and faith (Mk. 1: 15). Jesus says that they have to move on to other towns so that he may preach the Kingdom of God, his purpose in coming into the world. Preaching is his primary apostolate.
“And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.” — Preaching “throughout all Galilee” expresses Jesus’ missionary calling.
There is no mention of healing in this verse. Jesus did heal but the expulsion of demons and evil spirits was more important than healing as it reflected his power over Satan and evil and his mission to found the Kingdom of God.
In this passage we see Jesus undertake three special apostolates that obviously are meant for us to emulate and follow. The four are: (i) teaching, which includes healing of evil and sick people (Mk. 1: 27); (ii) service of others that flows from sharing Jesus’ life; and (iii) prayer to know the will of God in all needs. These three may be summed up in his missionary apostolate by which he and we following him, bring Jesus and his father to others.
Speaking at the midday General Audience in St. Peter’s last Sunday Pope Francis referred to Mk. 1: 28 — “His fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee”. Here is his Application to that verse which fits in with verse 38.
“The Gospel is the word of life: it does not oppress people, on the contrary, it frees those who are enslaved by so many evil spirits in this world: vanity, the attachment to money, pride, sensuality… The Gospel changes the heart, the Gospel changes the heart! It changes life; it transforms the inclination to evil to resolutions of good. The Gospel is capable of changing the hearts of the people. Therefore it is the duty of Christians to spread everywhere the redeeming power, becoming missionaries and heralds of the Word of God. It is suggested by the very passage from today’s reading which closes with a missionary aperture: “His fame — Jesus’ fame — spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.” (v. 28) The new doctrine taught with authority by Jesus is that which the Church brings to the world, together with the effective signs of His presence: the authoritative teaching and the liberating action of the Son of God becomes the words of salvation and the gestures of love of the missionary Church. Always remember that the Gospel has the power to change life! Do not forget this! That is the good news that transforms us only when we allow ourselves to be transformed by it.
“That is why I ask you always to have daily contact with the Gospel. To read it every day; a passage. To meditate upon it and also, to carry it with you everywhere, in your pocket, in your purse. That is, to nourish yourselves every day from this inexhaustible source of salvation. Do not forget, read a passage from the Gospel every day. It is the power that changes us, that transforms us, it changes life and it changes the heart.”
APPLICATION
WHY DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL AND SUFFERING?
On Wednesday, February 11, 2015, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Catholic Church will celebrate the 25th World Day of Prayer for the Sick. The Holy Father has issued a special message for the occasion. While it is coincidence, the Gospel text for this approaching Sunday fits admirably into preparations for the occasion.
The first lesson we can put into practice is what we have read in this Sunday’s Gospel passage: bring the sick and those with sin (evil) to Jesus. There is no doubt that he can heal and that he wants to cure everyone.
The second thing that we can do is to follow Jesus in the ministries he undertook: he taught people to join and be active in the Kingdom of God; (ii) he worked, including teaching by word, writing and overcoming evil (sin) and suffering in the structures of society; (iii) the Resurrected Life he offered to those in the Kingdom gives to each person the power to serve God and people; and (iv) he prayed. These are the ways in which he had a missionary mind.
A third thing we must do is keep the truth before our eyes and mind all the time. (i) God does not cause suffering but alleviates suffering and evil. We read throughout the Gospels how Jesus worked to assist people. We see that the two greatest apostolates of the Church in the world are, and always have been, teaching and healing. It is the Church’s way, because it is the way of Christ, of standing beside people in their two greatest needs. The number and varieties of schools and medical facilities are proof of this. Love of neighbour is the basic virtue of a Christian.
(ii) God does not abolish evil and suffering. People have the great gift of being created “in the image and likeness” of God; they are free to choose and live as they wish. They can react in their own way to evil and suffering. They may even decide to do nothing about the evil and suffering about them, even if it will affect them. They cannot ‘blame’ God if things do not go their own way.
In many cases the only way God could overcome the evil perpetuated by certain people would be to take the free will bestowed by him on all people, negating the very principle of creation.
What God teaches is that Jesus has suffered because of us: opposition all through his life from birth to culmination in his passion and death. He did so to redeem us, to offer us something which we could not obtain by ourselves. By the temptations of evil and suffering in our lives God has given us his Son’s way of using evil and suffering for the same purpose as Jesus, namely to obtain salvation for ourselves and others. There can be that meaning to evil and suffering. That can be one way of our serving God.
There is a lesson in the attitude of Simon, Andrew, James and John. The Gospel passage shows that they were developing wrong principles for their following. They were overcome by Jesus’ popularity and success. They were interested in promoting what suited themselves; they were not seeking what Jesus came to give. They were not putting the spiritual before the material.
My own personal passage about evil and suffering is in Hebrews 12: 1–13. We are told that rejection and hostility are what Jesus suffered in his life; we can expect nothing different if we have undertaken to follow him in the Kingdom of God. Therefore we are to look to him and follow his way. Joy is reserved in its fulness for the next life of glory. Jesus is called the “pioneer” and “perfecter of our faith” by his union with his Father, his obedience to the Father’s will, his fidelity and his endurance. Evil and suffering does not hold us back from God. It may affect our comfort and pleasure. But, if used according to his will, it can be the great means of our entering the glory of heaven.
Commentary on 5th Sunday of the year (B) 8th Feb 2015
GOSPEL TEXT: Mark 1:29–39
Setting
29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Simon’s Mother–in–law
30 Now Simon’s mother–in–law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
Busy Evening
32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Prayer
35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.
Mission
36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Every one is searching for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
GOSPEL EXPLANATION: Mk. 1: 29–39
29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. — In 1968 archeological studies were done on what was regarded as this house. It was about thirty meters from the synagogue. It contained several rooms and was built around a courtyard so that two families, perhaps those of Simon and Andrew, could live there. Later it became a church and continued to exist until the seventh century.
Simon’s mother–in–law was one of those who lived there as recorded by the Gospel passage. There is no mention of Simon’s wife or children. Nevertheless we read in I Corinthians 9: 5, “Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife [the translation could also be “a woman” or “sister”] as the other apostles and the brethren of the Lord and Cephas?” Cephas is the same person as Simon or Peter. Most likely his wife was one of that group of women who accompanied the apostles on their journeys. There is no mention here or elsewhere that Simon made provision for his family and the running of the house when he left to follow Jesus. If his wife travelled with him he obviously provided for her.
It is quite clear from this passage that Jesus expected Simon to leave his family home and give himself entirely to the mission of Jesus. Shortly the four disciples moved with Jesus to his home (Mk. 3: 19).
30 Now Simon’s mother–in–law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
Now Simon’s mother–in–law lay sick with a fever” — This was the cure of a sick woman. The previous miracle was the exorcism of a man. Simon’s mother–in–law is central to this reading and it is important to have some idea of the status of women in the Jewish world. The Holy Land of her time was patriarchal and she and all women, while created in the image and likeness of God, were treated as subject and inferior to men because of original sin.
Jesus had no taboos in dealing with women, unlike the rabbis who maintained that contact with a woman defiled them in the Law. This is the main theme in this miracle — Jesus will not tolerate any religious taboos against women. For him, men and women are equal and to be treated as such.
“and immediately they told him of her.” — From the word “immediately” we realise that it was still the Sabbath. That meant that Simon’s house was close to the synagogue, perhaps about 30 meters, as long travel was not permitted on the Sabbath.
“And he came and took her by the hand” — Such was the Jewish culture of the day that no Jewish man would ‘take a woman by the hand’. Jesus could have been accused of violating the Sabbath by touching this woman. As just stated, he intended to show that he was opposed to taboos concerning women.
“and lifted her up” — These words are a play on the word for resurrection, an indication that Jesus shares his future resurrection with her.
With the words “lifted her up” the meaning is conveyed that salvation had come to this house. We can link this miracle to Simon Peter’s obedience in following Jesus’ call. If he had not followed Jesus his mother–in–law would not have met Jesus and been cured. Nor would salvation have been brought to the family in this house.
There is the symbolic meaning of this miracle. The woman represents the sinner overcome by evil, sin. Jesus raises her up and she is then capable of and does serve him and others. To be a person of service to others one should share the resurrected life.
and the fever left her; and she served them. — The mother–in–law was cured perfectly with no lingering weakness to hold her back from preparing and serving a meal. The cure was perfect, showing that Jesus had the authority to heal completely. However, women were not allowed serve meals to men, yet another taboo to which Jesus objected.
There are five regular stages of a miracle: sickness or problem, request, touch, cure and sign of cure.
32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
“That evening, at sundown,” — “Sundown”, not midnight, marked the end of each of the seven days of the week including the Sabbath, and the beginning of a new day. Restrictions on travel and work such as carrying the sick and disabled, or even curing them, were no longer in force for the Sabbath which had just ended with sunset. They had to wait for the following day, that is any time after sunset.
“they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered together about the door.” — By mentioning “all who were sick or possessed” and “the whole city”, Mark describes a very large crowd.
“And he healed many who were sick with various diseases,” — We were told in the previous words that the people “brought to him all who were sick” The present words say that “he healed many who were sick”. Can we deduce from these two words that Jesus did not heal each sick person? The answer is that “all” and “many” mean the same, namely “all”. Jesus did cure “all” and they were “many”. During the consecration at Mass there is a similar use of “many” meaning “all” in the words “the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many”. Jesus gave his life for all mankind, not just some.
“and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.” — Jesus would not allow the demons to speak and identify him as the Messiah and divine because the people had a view of the Messiah being a political leader who would overcome the Roman invaders. Jesus did not wish this idea to circulate about him because it was wrong. He came to establish the Kingdom of God, to overcome sin and evil, not to be a political leader.
35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.
“And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.” — This is the first time Mark shows us Jesus (i) at prayer, (ii) in “a lonely place”, a “wilderness”, Jesus’ favourite place for prayer; see also Mk. 6: 30–32; and (iii) why he prayed. Mark will mention Jesus at prayer twice in the future: Mk. 6: 45–47 and 14: 32–35.
Why did Jesus seek “a lonely place”? The people who gathered around Jesus after sunset some hours before did so not because they believed in him but because they had heard that he was a great miracle worker and they wished to avail of his services. Jesus, full of compassion, was quite willing to oblige. However, that was not his mission as expressed by God’s will, which was to announce the establishment of the Kingdom of God and an invitation to join by repentance and faith (Mk. 1: 15). It was quite clear from the crowds that gathered around him that he was a wonderful success. So early in the morning, long before dawn, he got up and “went to a lonely place” to pray to his Father. His strength was in prayer by which he knew and did his Father’s will. It is not a matter of doing good, even in a loving way, but of doing God’s will in God’s way.
36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Every one is searching for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
“And Simon and those who were with him” — Those with him most likely were Andrew, James and John.
“pursued him, and they found him and said to him, ‘Every one is searching for you.’” — The Greek word for “pursued” has an unfriendly meaning or tone. Simon and the others were not pleased that Jesus had disappeared and so could not continue his streak of popularity and acclaim. Their words were a slight reprimand to Jesus.
They had misunderstood Jesus’ mission. Simon presumed that Jesus wanted to cure as many sick and possessed as they could find. Simon did not connect the miracles with Jesus’ mission of establishing the Kingdom of God. This misunderstanding of Jesus and his mission by the disciples will be a regular feature in Mark’s Gospel. This can be a lesson for us.
“And he said to them, ‘Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.’” — Jesus corrects Simon’s view–point. His mission is the establishment of the Kingdom of God and the people are meant to embrace this by repentance and faith (Mk. 1: 15). Jesus says that they have to move on to other towns so that he may preach the Kingdom of God, his purpose in coming into the world. Preaching is his primary apostolate.
“And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.” — Preaching “throughout all Galilee” expresses Jesus’ missionary calling.
There is no mention of healing in this verse. Jesus did heal but the expulsion of demons and evil spirits was more important than healing as it reflected his power over Satan and evil and his mission to found the Kingdom of God.
In this passage we see Jesus undertake three special apostolates that obviously are meant for us to emulate and follow. The four are: (i) teaching, which includes healing of evil and sick people (Mk. 1: 27); (ii) service of others that flows from sharing Jesus’ life; and (iii) prayer to know the will of God in all needs. These three may be summed up in his missionary apostolate by which he and we following him, bring Jesus and his father to others.
Speaking at the midday General Audience in St. Peter’s last Sunday Pope Francis referred to Mk. 1: 28 — “His fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee”. Here is his Application to that verse which fits in with verse 38.
“The Gospel is the word of life: it does not oppress people, on the contrary, it frees those who are enslaved by so many evil spirits in this world: vanity, the attachment to money, pride, sensuality… The Gospel changes the heart, the Gospel changes the heart! It changes life; it transforms the inclination to evil to resolutions of good. The Gospel is capable of changing the hearts of the people. Therefore it is the duty of Christians to spread everywhere the redeeming power, becoming missionaries and heralds of the Word of God. It is suggested by the very passage from today’s reading which closes with a missionary aperture: “His fame — Jesus’ fame — spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.” (v. 28) The new doctrine taught with authority by Jesus is that which the Church brings to the world, together with the effective signs of His presence: the authoritative teaching and the liberating action of the Son of God becomes the words of salvation and the gestures of love of the missionary Church. Always remember that the Gospel has the power to change life! Do not forget this! That is the good news that transforms us only when we allow ourselves to be transformed by it.
“That is why I ask you always to have daily contact with the Gospel. To read it every day; a passage. To meditate upon it and also, to carry it with you everywhere, in your pocket, in your purse. That is, to nourish yourselves every day from this inexhaustible source of salvation. Do not forget, read a passage from the Gospel every day. It is the power that changes us, that transforms us, it changes life and it changes the heart.”
APPLICATION
WHY DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL AND SUFFERING?
On Wednesday, February 11, 2015, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Catholic Church will celebrate the 25th World Day of Prayer for the Sick. The Holy Father has issued a special message for the occasion. While it is coincidence, the Gospel text for this approaching Sunday fits admirably into preparations for the occasion.
The first lesson we can put into practice is what we have read in this Sunday’s Gospel passage: bring the sick and those with sin (evil) to Jesus. There is no doubt that he can heal and that he wants to cure everyone.
The second thing that we can do is to follow Jesus in the ministries he undertook: he taught people to join and be active in the Kingdom of God; (ii) he worked, including teaching by word, writing and overcoming evil (sin) and suffering in the structures of society; (iii) the Resurrected Life he offered to those in the Kingdom gives to each person the power to serve God and people; and (iv) he prayed. These are the ways in which he had a missionary mind.
A third thing we must do is keep the truth before our eyes and mind all the time. (i) God does not cause suffering but alleviates suffering and evil. We read throughout the Gospels how Jesus worked to assist people. We see that the two greatest apostolates of the Church in the world are, and always have been, teaching and healing. It is the Church’s way, because it is the way of Christ, of standing beside people in their two greatest needs. The number and varieties of schools and medical facilities are proof of this. Love of neighbour is the basic virtue of a Christian.
(ii) God does not abolish evil and suffering. People have the great gift of being created “in the image and likeness” of God; they are free to choose and live as they wish. They can react in their own way to evil and suffering. They may even decide to do nothing about the evil and suffering about them, even if it will affect them. They cannot ‘blame’ God if things do not go their own way.
In many cases the only way God could overcome the evil perpetuated by certain people would be to take the free will bestowed by him on all people, negating the very principle of creation.
What God teaches is that Jesus has suffered because of us: opposition all through his life from birth to culmination in his passion and death. He did so to redeem us, to offer us something which we could not obtain by ourselves. By the temptations of evil and suffering in our lives God has given us his Son’s way of using evil and suffering for the same purpose as Jesus, namely to obtain salvation for ourselves and others. There can be that meaning to evil and suffering. That can be one way of our serving God.
There is a lesson in the attitude of Simon, Andrew, James and John. The Gospel passage shows that they were developing wrong principles for their following. They were overcome by Jesus’ popularity and success. They were interested in promoting what suited themselves; they were not seeking what Jesus came to give. They were not putting the spiritual before the material.
My own personal passage about evil and suffering is in Hebrews 12: 1–13. We are told that rejection and hostility are what Jesus suffered in his life; we can expect nothing different if we have undertaken to follow him in the Kingdom of God. Therefore we are to look to him and follow his way. Joy is reserved in its fulness for the next life of glory. Jesus is called the “pioneer” and “perfecter of our faith” by his union with his Father, his obedience to the Father’s will, his fidelity and his endurance. Evil and suffering does not hold us back from God. It may affect our comfort and pleasure. But, if used according to his will, it can be the great means of our entering the glory of heaven.