Being Grasped

Wednesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time

Mark 1:29-39

He grasped her hand and helped her up.

Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

The feminist in me always bristles a little when I hear the “and she waited on them” part.  I want one of the guys to get the sandwiches and let her rest.

But then I relax…I know careful reading tells me that the phrase is

-an indication that she is perfectly and completely healed…and let’s not minimize fevers---very deadly in a world without antibiotics.

-an indication of her respect and gratitude…after being on the receiving end of a miracle---I can buy that

-without this gesture Simon’s mother in law would have neglected a guest and felt shame…another good observation

More telling perhaps is that he grasped her hand and helped her up.  He reaches out to her.  His attention is focused.  It is sensual and tender.  This is how Jesus ‘proclaims.’  His preaching is performance.  She is called by his proclaiming healing.  And so this woman serves, like a good Disciple-Deacon is called to do.  I like to think that Simon’s mother-in-law is among the women ‘at a distance’ in Mark 15:40 when everyone else had abandoned him.

I want to know her name!  Rock-Star Disciple will do.