Feb 4 - Fishing for People
Jesus teaches the disciples who had been fishermen how to fish for others.
Psalm 147:1-11 (NRSV)
Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth,
makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the animals their food
and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner,
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Mark 1:29-39
Jesus Heals Many at Simon’s House
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed by demons.33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured 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.
A Preaching Tour in Galilee
35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38 He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also, for that is what I came out to do.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Reflection Notes:
Our Mark text for today takes us out of the synagogue where Jesus demonstrates what he means by fishing for people. With him are the 4 disciples—Andrew, Simon, James and John—who had all been fishermen when Jesus called them to come with him. “I will teach you to fish for people.” We find in these texts that fishing for others includes healings, releasing demons, prayer, and proclamation of God’s message. How are we fishing for people?
