Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested. - Hebrews 2

So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons 
throughout the whole of Galilee. - Mark 1

In this first week of Ordinary Time during which we will follow the story of the good news, as proclaimed by Mark, we have an up-close picture of Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. After overcoming the tempting of the desert, he goes to the synagogue and begins preaching and driving out demons. There are people who have inner spirits resistant to God. They are tortured by their lack of peace. Mark will tell us over and over, that it is these demons who, though opposed to Jesus, really know and acknowledge who he is. Jesus' ministry, from the beginning is a healing ministry, one of freeing from whatever stands in the way of grace.

He's just call the first followers, and Peter and Andrew invite him to their house. Jesus goes with them and they introduce him to Peter's wife's mother. She's sick and has a fever. Without hesitation, Jesus' heart goes out to her and frees her. In a powerful first symbol of what Jesus' healing does for us, the woman gets up and serves them a meal. Freedom empowers us to serve. Jesus' healing is all about unbinding us so that we can love others. His healing dissolves the resistance which whatever we are struggling with creates.

Jesus moves on to do the same ministry "throughout the whole of Galilee." While the religious leaders will want to argue with him and challenge him, people in need keep coming to him.

It's a great day to let Jesus visit our house. No matter what "resistance" we might have, he is ready to touch and heal. However we are not free to love selflessly, he is here for us to unbind us, heal past wounds, and let us experience his unconditional love.

The Letter to the Hebrews was written to a discouraged community that had been through a lot. We will hear them being reassured that Jesus understands. Today's passage is so consoling. He is able to help us who are "being tested," because "he himself was tested through what he suffered."

In whatever way we are being tested today, let us turn to the one who understands and is here for us, to relieve our struggle and offer us his liberating love. And, the more we let him love us and heal us, the more we will be able to stand up in service for and with others. It's what we long for. It is what he longs for. When our longing matches the longing Jesus has for us, then grace happens and love is set free.