ACC ~ Mark 1 v29 - 45

OVERVIEW:

Believers are in a position analogous to that of Simon’s mother-in-law: They pray for the Lord to grasp their hands and lift them up. Since Jesus stands in their midst, beckoning them to health, offering himself immediately to them, it is absurd that they would remain in bed in his presence (JEROME). Scripture constantly attests Jesus as a man of prayer (ORIGEN). To the pure in heart, whose hearts are made pure by faith, nothing is impure (CHRYSOSTOM). The momentary concealing of the truth of revelation was commanded temporarily but not permanently (BEDE). The variable order of presentation of events in the Gospel narratives is not to be considered a deficit in the memory of the Holy Spirit (AUGUSTINE).

1:30 | Now Simon’s Mother-in-Law Lay Sick with a Fever

THE ROTTEN ODOR OF SIN BECOMES THE PERFUME OF REPENTANCE

JEROME: Can you imagine Jesus standing before your bed and you continue sleeping? It is absurd that you would remain in bed in his presence. Where is Jesus? He is already here offering himself to us. “In the middle,” he says, “among you he stands, whom you do not recognize.” [1] “The kingdom of God is in your midst.” [2] Faith beholds Jesus among us. If we are unable to seize his hand, let us prostrate ourselves at his feet. If we are unable to reach his head, let us wash his feet with our tears. [3] Our repentance is the perfume of the Savior. See how costly is the compassion of the Savior. Our sins give off a terrible odor; they are rottenness. Nevertheless, if we repent of our sins, they will be transformed into perfume by the Lord. Therefore, let us ask the Lord to grasp our hand. “And at once,” he says, “the fever left her.” [4] Immediately as her hand is grasped, the fever flees. TRACTATE ON MARK’S GOSPEL 2. [5]

[1] Cf. Jn 1:26.

[2] Mk 1:15.

[3] Cf. Lk 7:38.

[4] Mk 1:31.

[5] Cetedoc 0594, 2.375.

1:35 | He Went Out to a Lonely Place, and There He Prayed

THE HABIT OF PRAYER

ORIGEN: Jesus prayed and did not pray in vain, since he received what he asked for in prayer when he might have done so without prayer. If so, who among us would neglect to pray? Mark says that “in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.” [1] And Luke says, “He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray,’” [2] and elsewhere, “And all night he continued in prayer to God.” [3] And John records his prayer, saying, “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.’” [4] The same Evangelist writes that the Lord said that he knew “you hear me always.” [5] All this shows that the one who prays always is always heard. ON PRAYER 13.1. [6]

[1] Mk 1:35.

[2] Lk 11:1.

[3] Lk 6:12.

[4] Jn 17:1.

[5] Jn 11:42.

[6] TLG 2042.008, 13.1.1-14; CWS 104-5. Scripture constantly attests Jesus as a man of prayer.

1:40 | A Leper Came to Him Beseeching Him

THE GOSPEL WRITERS’ MEMORY

AUGUSTINE: It is not in one’s own power, however admirable and trustworthy may be the knowledge one has of the facts, to determine the order in which he will recall them to memory. [1] For the way in which one thing comes into one’s mind before or after another proceeds not as we will, but simply as it occurs to us. It is reasonable enough to suppose that each of the Evangelists believed it to have been his duty to relate what he had to relate in that order in which it had pleased God to suggest it to his recollection. HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 21.51. [2]

[1] Augustine is asking why this narrative is located in a different sequence in Mark than in the other Gospels.

[2] Cetedoc 0273, 2.21.51.152.19; NPNF 1 6:127. The variable order of presentation of events is not to be considered a deficit in the memory of the Holy Spirit but a normal aspect of recollective consciousness.

1:41 | He Touched Him

WHY DID HE TOUCH THE LEPER?

ORIGEN: And why did he touch him, since the law forbade the touching of a leper? He touched him to show that “all things are clean to the clean.” [1] Because the filth that is in one person does not adhere to others, nor does external uncleanness defile the clean of heart. So he touches him in his untouchability, that he might instruct us in humility; that he might teach us that we should despise no one, or abhor them, or regard them as pitiable, because of some wound of their body or some blemish for which they might be called to render an account. … So, stretching forth his hand to touch, the leprosy immediately departs. The hand of the Lord is found to have touched not a leper, but a body made clean! Let us consider here, beloved, if there be anyone here that has the taint of leprosy in his soul, or the contamination of guilt in his heart? If he has, instantly adoring God, let him say: “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” FRAGMENTS ON MATTHEW 2.2-3 [2]

[1] Tit 1:15.

[2] GCS 41.1:248-9; SSGF 1:301-02*.

THE SIGN OF TOUCHING

CHRYSOSTOM: He did not simply say, “I will, be cleansed,” but he also “extended his hand, and touched him”—an act we do well to analyze. If he cleansed him merely by willing it and by speaking it, why did he also add the touch of his hand? For no other reason, it seems to me, than that he might signify by this that he is not under the hand of the law, but the law is in his hands. Hence to the pure in heart, from now on, nothing is impure. [1] … He touched the leper to signify that he heals not as servant but as Lord. For the leprosy did not defile his hand, but his holy hand cleansed the leprous body. THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW, HOMILY 25.2. [2]

[1] Cf. Tit 1:15.

[2] TLG 2062.152, 57.329.7.13, 17-21; NPNF 1 10:173**; His touch conveyed his lordship over the law, and his holiness, which cannot be defiled.

1:43 | Show Yourself to the Priest

THE LAW AND THE LEPER

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: “‘If you are willing, you can cleanse me.’ So he stretched out his hand.” [1] In this stretching out of his hand he seemed to be abrogating the law. For [it is written] in the law that whoever approaches a leper becomes impure. … He showed that nature was good in that he repaired its defect. Because he sent him to the priests, he thereby upheld the priesthood. He also ordered him to make an offering for his cleansing. [2] Did he not thus uphold the law, as Moses had commanded? There were many prescriptions concerning leprosy. But they were unable to procure any benefit. Then the Messiah came, and, with his word, bestowed healing and abolished these many precepts which the law had reckoned should exist for leprosy. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON. [3]

[1] Mt 8:2-3; cf. Mk 1:40-41; Lk 5:12-13.

[2] Mt 8:4; Mk 1:44; Lk 5:14.

[3] JSSS 2:203*.

1:44 | See That You Say Nothing to Anyone

UNSPOKEN BENEFITS

BEDE: In the performance of this miracle Jesus requested silence. [1] Yet it did not remain concealed in silence for long. So it is with the called people of God—while following his precepts and example, they may prefer their responsible actions to remain unspoken, yet for the benefit of others providence may allow them to become known contrary to their own wishes. EXPOSITION ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK 1.1.45. [2]

[1] The issue is whether good deeds are made better by remaining unspoken.

[2] Cetedoc 1355, 1.1.603; CCL 120:452; GMI 29*; cf. HOG 1:111.