Simon’s Mother in Law Has a Name Preached at the Wollaston Congregational Church On February 4th, 2018 Scripture: Mark 1:29-39 Today we continued reading from the first chapter of Mark’s gospel. It’s a story line we have been following for the past few weeks. The passage we heard just now is perfect for today, the day we commission two new deacons and a new steward for our church, because this is the story of the one who is known as the first deacon. Sadly we do not know her name. We heard that Jesus left the synagogue in Capernaum and went immediately to the house of brothers Simon and Andrew. You may know Simon better as Peter, or perhaps Simon Peter. If we look ahead in the gospel to chapter 3, we’ll read that Jesus gave Simon the name Peter. Perhaps you remember the disciple Peter from some of the other stories. He is impetuous, boisterous, often at odds with Jesus. Now, I could continue this whole sermon referring to the woman who is healed as “Simon’s mother-in-law.” But, as you may know, my husband’s name is Simon. And so, you know, my own mom could be called “Simon’s mother in law.” And yet my mom does have a name, it is Margaret. And so, I intend to give Simon’s mother in law a name, let’s say Meira, as we turn back to the story. The house has been quiet with the young men away. It’s not unusual for them to take off on a lengthy fishing trip, spending a few days down by the shore. The women would not normally be anxious. Meira’s daughters and daughter’s in law, have been in and out, their babies on their hips. They’ve brought the water, and done the chores. There hasn’t been much need for the cooking with the men gone. They’ve checked often on Meira lying silently on the palette. They press a damp rag to her forehead each time they check in. She’s had this fever for a few days now and she doesn’t seem to be shaking it. They’ve never seen her this way before. And they wonder if they can get word to the men. Could they search for the new healer they’ve been hearing about and bring him to the house? Finally they leave Meira to the cool and quiet of the home as they set out to find the guys. While the women are gone looking the two brothers, Simon and Andrew, burst into the house. They’ve been gone a few days, following this amazing new preacher and miracle healer, Jesus. It’s not unusual for them to bring home new friends and travelers they’ve met along the way. They know there will be a warm welcome awaiting any friends they make. Meira keeps a pot simmering on the stove, ready for dinner, and the extra servings they will need for the folks the guys bring home. Meira excels in hospitality, she keeps an open house and she’s always ready for company. Today, they stumble into the little stone dwelling, ravenous, talking up Meira’s cooking to James and John. And they call out to the women “you won’t believe it! We’ve brought the new preacher, Jesus!” It takes a few minutes for the scene to sink in for them. Something is different. What has happened while they have been gone? The kitchen feels cold and empty, there’s a little dust gathering on the table top. What has happened to Meira? Simon finally turns, and sees her on the palette in the corner, softly moaning. She is obviously very sick. How can this be? Jesus, the great healer and preacher is here, and there are mouths to be fed and guests to entertain? Simon turns to Jesus, but of course, he is already at Meira’s side. He takes her hand, praying quietly with her. Then he lifts her, up and she shudders and then smiles. “Is it the Sabbath sundown already? You all must be hungry!” She exclaims and “who is this wonderful young man you have brought home? What was I thinking, just look at this kitchen! Let me get supper going right away.” Praise God! She has been restored, back to herself and ready to do her work. Once the family and their guests are filled with Meira’s delicious cooking, people begin to arrive at the house from round about. Some are sick, some possessed by demons. It seems like the whole city is there! Jesus heals them all. It’s an exhausting end to and exhausting day of connecting with folks, hearing their needs, blessing them with God’s love, seeing them restored. Simon goes to sleep that night dreaming of how things will work out with Jesus. What an opportunity, to have this amazing guy choose him and Andrew, James and John to follow him. What an honor! Meanwhile, Meira and the younger women have labored long into the evening. When the men were finally satisfied with food and drink they swept the kitchen clean, settled the children and went to bed themselves. As Meira lies down again, her thoughts return to the day. What a wonderful opportunity to serve this travel weary young man who has the gift of healing. What a moment it was as he prayed with her, commissioning her to God’s service. She hopes that Simon won’t get ahead of himself with this Jesus. She loves Simon as her own, and yet she knows how impetuous he can get, how he loves to act, often before he has thought things through. She hopes he’ll finally pause to listen to what Jesus has to say. She hopes he’ll let Jesus rest tonight. Jesus wakes well before dawn, and while the others are sleeping, he slips away to a deserted place. He needs to listen to what God is calling him to do. He needs to separate from the noise and clamor of the sick of Capernaum and the pressing demands of the disciples’ enthusiasm. He needs to listen to God his Father. It doesn’t last long though, as Simon and the others burst onto the scene. “Where were you, everyone is looking for you … there’s healing to be done!” But he replies “I have a message, and I have to proclaim it throughout the towns. I’m moving on … are you coming?” And so the overture to Mark’s gospel ends, or almost ends … there is one more miracle story to go. This is how it is going to be for the rest of the story. Jesus will travel, preaching and healing bringing the good news. He will touch lives, and commission those whose names we do not know. Simon, who will be Peter, will continue to be impetuous and go head-to-head with Jesus. The other disciples will continue not to get Jesus. And still their names will be in the gospel. But today our focus is not so much on those whose names we know and their misconceptions. Our focus is directed to Meira, whose name we do not really know. Just as Meira served Jesus, I’m reminded that so often we are served by those whose name we don’t know. We don’t know the names of those who scrub the restrooms we use when we’re out and about, or those who sweat in the kitchens of our favorite restaurant, or those who pick the vegetables we eat, or care for the personal needs of our elders. This thought brings to mind something I experienced when I worked, as a chaplain intern, at an eldercare facility. The chaplain’s office offers a service for the employees called the “tea cart”. Chaplains bring the cart around to the units loaded with tea, coffee, pastries and other goodies for the staff. Toward the end of my internship I signed up to do this service with another student. We went around offering the nurses and aides a hot drink, a snack, and also a “blessing of the hands”. Some of the staff were reluctant to participate. A hands-on blessing sounded a little too much for them. But others came willingly. I took their hands in mine, first of all naming that employee before God, blessing their hands for the ministering work I knew they would be doing. We’d finished providing our services for the staff who had come forward, but we still had loads of goodies. I realized that some people were missing. I went to look for the housekeeping staff. These were quiet people, mostly immigrants from Haiti. I’d seen them around doing the daily chores as well as cleaning up spills of food, drink and bodily fluids. I used to say “good morning” and “good night” but I realized on that day we’d never had a conversation. I didn’t know their names. When I went up to the men and women on duty I realized that they spoke very little English. It was easy to communicate the offer of food and blessing, though. They were hungry for both. I had to reach for their id tags so that I could pray for each by name for the first time. As I did tears welled in their eyes. “Amen” they echoed after me, adding their own prayer in Haitian Creole. I have come to think of moments like the one I had at the rehab as Jesus-y moments. Times when my focus is taken off what I think of as important, toward what Jesus would have me see. That day in the rehab, my focus was shifted from the importance of my role, to see Jesus lifting up the quiet Haitian housekeeping staff. I believe that in our story today, Jesus would have us change our focus from bluster and self-importance of Simon and the other guys to the perspective of Meira and the women. Today I believe that we are invited to be as Meira, receiving healing, deeply listening, privately praying. And we will know Jesus by our side, taking our hand, lifting us up, commissioning us to God’s work and service. Emily, Rhea, Becky, you have been commissioned today to serve in our church. Emily and Rhea will be serving as Deacons, graciously welcoming members and guests at the door, lighting the candles, preparing the table for communion, and serving the bread and the cup to the congregation. Becky, who already has a wonderful ministry of hospitality, will join Mary Treacy in overseeing Worship and Education. I’m glad we know your names and can thank you for your service. And I’m glad I can trust that you too will know Jesus by your side, lifting you up, commissioning you to God’s work and service. May it be so. Amen
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