Immediately after leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law laid sick in bed with a fever. Jesus went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her immediately, and she began to serve them (Mark 1.29–31).

Love is a verb. It is very noticeable how Jesus showed his great love by “coming” to heal every person who is sick or is possessed by the demon and personally making a move to “take the hand” and “lift” her from pain, sickness, and suffering.

Jesus went to her. Many times, we needed people who were willing to give time to listen to us, to speak to us, and to give their attention to us. But most often, when we are needed, we are the ones to approach. We take the first step to encounter. It is contrary to Jesus. He came to her and healed her, not only because they were going the same way, or because they had a little spare time to pass on to her, or because Peter was his disciple, but because he loved her. He came to her. How simple and uncomplicated! Most often than not, we are trapped by who will receive our attention and what benefit we could get from them, and we forget that being a human person, a brother or a sister, and a member of the Body of Christ, is the reason enough.

Jesus took her by the hand. Taking another’s hand is often a sign of friendship and companionship, a special affection toward the other. Jesus may not have known her so well, but seeing her suffering, he wanted to console her by showing his presence and connecting to her through human touch. Sometimes, people long for a gentle tap, a hold of hands, or an embrace, and when received, every doubt or pain is decreased, if not totally washed away. Fr. Palau, who was also an affectionate man, saw himself as a child, clinging to his father’s hand. How do we show the gentleness and affection of Jesus to our brothers and sisters?

He raised her up. It is not just once that Jesus lifts those whom he heals. He raised them up and gave them hope. He let every person he encountered leave his or her old life by raising them up, restoring the beauty that was veiled, and bringing healing. As CMT, it is our utmost mission to carry out a liberating service, a healing service, a service that changes lives and lifts up the quality of people’s life.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus shows that love is indeed an imperative verb. It compels. It makes us act immediately. It urges. May every encounter with our brothers and sisters be similar to that of Jesus with Peter’s mother-in-law. And may we be instruments of healing and restoring the beauty of the wounded body of Christ, the Church, in our everyday lives.