Mk 1:29-39
29On leaving the synagogue [Jesus] entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. 30Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. 31He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
32When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. 33The whole town was gathered at the door. 34He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
35Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. 36Simon and those who were with him pursued him 37and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” 39So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
A day in the life of Jesus: Jesus has time for family and close friends (Peter’s mother-in-law), time for other people (the many sick brought to him), and time for God in prayer. He never sacrifices one for the other. He has time for each. He does not have to struggle or do a great balancing act. He does all these freely and comfortably.
We always complain of being very busy. Our work never seems to end. Yet we forget that when we enjoy and love what we are doing, we feel tireless. In fact, we can go on doing what we love without resting and eating.
The secret of Jesus’ seeming endless energy is his desire to help and go back to the source of his power—his time in prayer with the Father. This is something he must enjoy doing all the time! Thus, he is never tired.
Deserted Place: The desert place in Israel lies in the southern region of Judah. Capernaum and other villages in Galilee are more of a “sown” region, growing crops and grass for pasture. In the Bible, it is in the “desert” where a person meets God. God calls his people into the desert to speak to “her” directly and recover her love (Hos 2:16). Jesus retires to a “deserted place,” outside of the village, to commune with the Father, before he begins his activities, to discover God’s will for him and to let God’s voice rise over and above human voices.