Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Mark (1: 29-39) in which we are given a glimpse of the ministry of Jesus in Capernaum, a little fishing village near the lake of Galilee.

Fr Paul says Jesus’s ministry is one of healing and of prayer.  Firstly, we hear of the healing of one of Simon’s relatives and it reminds us that Jesus does respond if we pray for those in our family.  Secondly, we see the healing of great numbers. Jesus heals all those who are in need and who come to him at sunset.  Thirdly, we hear that Jesus goes off to pray in the early morning and it reminds us that all Jesus does comes through prayer and union with God.

Mindful of Jesus’s ministry in the Gospel today, Fr Paul invites us, for reflection, to we ask ourselves, ‘What needs healing in my life at the moment?’ and ‘How often do I spend time in union with God through prayer?’