1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

They immediately told him about her.

What’s the first thing you do when the going gets tough? Perhaps you sit down and try to think things through: What’s going on? What can I do about it? Or maybe you mobilize friends or just roll up your sleeves and tackle the problem.

After you’ve exhausted every option, you might find yourself saying, “All I can do now is pray,” as if that’s the last resort.

But for Simon, Andrew, James, and John, approaching Jesus was their first response, not their last resort. The moment they learned that Simon’s mother-in-law was ill, they told Jesus. He, in turn, wasted no time in healing her.

Sometimes that’s what happens. Jesus acts dramatically in response to our prayers. Peace washes away paralyzing fear. Estranged siblings reconcile. Someone awakens from a coma as the priest anoints her.

Other times, Jesus’ response isn’t so dramatic. That’s when you need to keep on praying, even as you’re waiting and trusting in him. He can give you insight and guidance for the intention you’ve brought before him. Maybe he will show you how to provide practical help in the situation. Or make a connection between people who can support one another—something you’d never have come up with on your own.

Jesus will always answer you, one way or the other. That’s what makes prayer the best “first response”—not only for serious situations that seem out of your control, but also for the more everyday concerns that arise in your life. Is a loved one ill? Go to Jesus right away and ask him for healing. Was your teenager in a fender bender? Take a minute before you call the insurance company to tell Jesus, and ask him for peace for everyone involved. Did you just hear that a friend lost their spouse? Bring that person to Jesus in prayer, and trust that he will show you how to offer them comfort.

Praying may seem to be the least we can do. But it’s also the most we can do. And there’s no limit to what God can do! Each need that arises gives us a chance to practice going to the Lord first. So let’s resolve to involve him sooner rather than later and to seek his help every step of the way.

“Jesus, I know you care about me and my loved ones. Help me turn to you first.”

1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20
Psalm 40:2, 5, 7-10
Mark 1:29-39