Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
It is infinitely sad that so many times we write off the elderly , the sick but perhaps it is even sadder that the elderly, the sick so often write themselves off, feeling that they are only a burden to their surrounding , to the world!! It is good to read that our Lord does not just wave His hand in resignation hearing about the elderly sick woman, He does not say the her time has passed but by the grace of His first public healing He reveals His power as God and helps the sick woman back oh her feet!! Jesus needs the elderly, it is good to read that her service is accepted by the Lord of the world!!
For me the help of Father Bíró Antal meant a lot !! The elderly father aged 86 years old turned to me and offered his help , I was the parish priest of Szászváros then , I received Father Antal with open arms and I started my service in the big, wide world ! He deputized for me and I started founding , establishing the child protection homes ! Dear Father Antal was like the invisible part of the iceberg submerged under the water raising me high and this way together we could build God’s beautiful kingdom!!
How much do I respect the elderly ? How much do I use their advice, experience , service in my everyday life ? But I can also think about it as an elderly , sick person how much do I ask for and accept those extended , helping hands towards me ?
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Picture: I am standing by the sickbed of Father Antal .
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Father Csaba’s reflections on the gospel….