Matthew 20: 17-28 The Request of Salome

All three readings, the first reading, the Psalm, and the Gospel share being plotted against, and trapped.  The Psalm it the universal lament of mankind that occasionally feels the world is against us.  We are not to despair.  The Pslam encourages us,

"You will free me from the snare they set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God."

Jesus himself is being plotted against.  In the Gospel he tells the Apostles that he will be handed over and condemned to death. 

In the reading too we hear Mary Salome, a disciple of Jesus and mother of James and John, begging that Jesus let her sons sit at his left and right when Jesus came into his kingdom.  She does not yet fully understand what she is asking.  Jesus points that out to her.  Then Jesus asks the Apostles if they are able to drink from the chalice from which he is to drink.  This is an intimate ancient gesture that binds people.  Jesus tells them that they will also drink from the same cup.  Jesus reminds them that humility is to be practiced, that they ought not to lord over others: that the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and that it is not for him to decide who is placed at his right and at his left in the Heavenly Kingdom.  That is the Father's role. 

And what of Mary called Salome?  She will come to understand as Christ is fully revealed to her as she stands with the Blessed Mother at the Crucifixion and is one of the women present at the tomb at the Resurrection. 

Mark 1:29-39

There are several aspects to this Bible story.  Many women I know lament the fate of Simon's mother-in-law thinking it so unfair, so let's address that.  We know that Jesus and the others have left the synagogue where Jesus was teaching.  that indicates the day of Sabbath, the Lord's day.  No one is to do work that day and food preparations would have to have been taken care of the day before.  Jesus with James and John visit their friends, Simon and Andrew.  Simon's mother-in-law lives with them.  We know that she has a fever.  If you can recall a loved one or yourself who have been sick, especially with a fever, you know how they are quiet, lethargic, and can't eat.  Noise can bother them, they can't read.  They just lay there languishing.  You worry about them and try to get liquids like chicken broth into them so that they do not become dehydrated.  There is always that fear that the temperature can become so great that either it or dehydration could cause death.

Simon and Andrew tell the Lord about her condition: they are in need of his help for her. There is a correlation between this aspect of the story and our own prayers for each other.  Note the words that are used to describe Jesus' actions, "He approached," "He grasped her hand," "He helped her up."  This is what our God does.  Do we not do these for those whom we love?  A love approaches his bride and will tenderly hold her hand.  This is God to us.  But when we are sick as we are with sin, he helps us up and raises us, which is demonstrated through Jesus' ministry as Jesus approaches, grasps her hand, and lifts her up.  When we are lifted up, we become healed.  Isn't it similar on the spiritual level when we are healed, our sins are forgiven?  For the mother-in-law, she was completely healed.  She had no more fever.  Her strength and energy were returned to her.  She was filled with joy at seeing her friends and receiving this gift.  This is her home.  How does she repay this kindness?  She desires to serve him as she is now able to do so.  This should be our desire too when the we are healed.  What better way to give thanks to our God for all his works, than to love and serve the Lord with all our whole self?  As soon as the Sabbath is over she opens her home so that jesus may do the same for others.