St. Peter's House
at Capernaum
Do you know why they bury mothers-in-law 18 feet deep instead of the customary 6? Because deep down, they're really
nice people! One such nice mother-in-law, we see in today's gospel. Jesus merely touched her hand and the fever was
dispelled. He raised her from her bed and, she began to wait on her guests. What an amazing woman! Her story does not
end with her hospitality to Jesus. It was just the beginning of a life made immediately available to Jesus and His ministry.
Her home became His home. Whenever Jesus was in Capernaum, He always had a place to stay.
Her priorities were changed. Possessions no longer held the same place in her life. Her home became a safe haven. Time
and time again the sick and oppressed were brought to her door. Mark tells us the "whole city" gathered at her door. Late
into the night miracle after miracle took place. Diseases were defeated, demons were denounced.
I have always been fascinated by the story of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof into the room where Jesus
was. What kind of homeowner would understand the kind of desperation that would drive someone to break open the roof of
a stranger? Mark tells us who that homeowner was. It was Peter's mother-in-law! She understood desperation. Helping a
paralyzed man get into the presence of Jesus was more important to her than keeping her roof intact! (Mark 2:1-12).
Like her, we need to open our hearts and homes to help people find Jesus. She found that the only way to experience full
healing oneself is to heal others. As we welcome Fr. Tarantino, Sr. Patricia and Dina Tiedje back home, we are happy to
know that we are able to extend our helping hand to the missions in Panama.
Let His healing touch continue to make us masters of ourselves that we may be the servants of others. – Amen
God bless us all,
Father Lawrence
