Homily - OT5-B (Ordinary Time, 5th Sunday, Cycle B)

 I met Frank when I was volunteering in prison ministry.  He frequently told the inmates that he had a degree in Knee-ology.  He would tell them of the many struggles in his life and how there would always be an answer when he got down on his knees. The graces that God blessed this man with convinced me that prayer restores us.

Like Frank, Job is having a hard time.  I suspect many of us have had times like his. “months of misery”, “restless nights”, “I shall not see happiness again”.  On December 6^th, 2009, I could relate to Job and how he was feeling.  I had told my wife of 30 years that it was OK, she could leave, and I’d be OK.  Within hours, she went home to the Lord.  I had never felt so alone, so miserable in my life.

My friends and family gathered around and spent time with me.  They sent meals.  They sent hundreds of cards and letters.  Some made me smile, some made me cry, but none brought me out of my misery.  The only relief that I had was my prayer life.  I could talk to God.  I could yell at Him.  I could ask Him why he took her from my life.  After enough prayer, I thanked God for sharing her with me for 30+ years. I knew that she was happy and that I would see her again.  Prayer released me from my misery.

Prayer was a part of my married life.  She always said she knew if I had prayed that day or not just in how I was handling things.  It is funny, I never noticed unless I missed two or 3 days.  Now, I notice when I miss any of my usual prayers in my day.  It has become so much of my normal day that it’s like forgetting to shave or brush your teeth.

The gospel could be titled “24 hours in the life of Jesus”.  We see glimpses of Jesus through a day, night and the next morning.  It is interesting to not what Mark chooses to tell us.  We pick up the story on the Sabbath after Jesus has taught in the synagogue and removed an unclean spirit from a man there.  

Peter’s mother-in-law is ill with a fever.  Now in those days, fevers were serious business.  They did not have our knowledge of medicine or drugs.  Approaching or touching a person with a fever could easily spread the disease.  Jesus does not hesitate.  He grasps her hand and heals her.  Like many of our mothers, she then jumps up and tries to feed the guests.

That evening Jesus heals many people who are searching for him.  We can easily picture him getting tired after a long day and getting some rest.  Early the next day he gets up to pray.  Jesus, the son of God is praying. …  Jesus is God! Why is He praying?  What could He be praying to his Father about?  If Jesus, who is God, feels the need to pray, why aren’t we down on our knees all day long?

We are told to “pray always”.  Many of us believe that is a difficult thing to do.  So many of us pray when we have a problem or pray at Mass, but outside of that, not-so-much.   How do we pray always?  We just need to be more conscious of the times we can pray.  

When we wake up, we can thank God for a new day and pray that it will go as He plans.  When we brush our teeth, we can thank God for the health we do have and pray that we make good choices to improve our health today.  When we eat, we can thank God for the food and pray for those that grew it and brought it to our table.  When we get into a car or bus or train, we can pray that God watch out for our trip and make it safe.

There are dozens of opportunities for prayer every day.  If the day is going well, pray and thank God for the gift of a good day.  If the day is not going well, pray and thank God that He has not given you more than you can bear and thank Him for the strength He has given you to make it through the day. 

 The Church has many chances for prayer available to us.  There is benediction and adoration, the rosary, holy hours, just to name a few.  However, we do not need to go find something special to do.  We should just follow the example of Jesus and pray.