PARTY AT PETER’S PLACE
J.C.Cordova, D.Min., LCSW
Immediately [after the service] Jesus left the synagogue and entered the
house of Simon [Peter] and Andrew with James and John [were with him].
Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they
told him of her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up,
and the fever left her; and she served them (Mark 1:29-31).
This event took place a little past noon, as Sabbath services were conducted from the third hour [9:00 a.
m.] to the sixth [about 12:00 n]. Upon entering Peter’s house, Jesus was told about Peter’s mother-in-law.
Her condition was a typical fever residents of Galilee frequently suffered. Apparently, these fevers did
not have organic causes. Rather, the causes were emotional in nature, which folks considered the work
of evil spirits. So, Jesus went to her room, exorcized “the spirit,” took the woman by the hand restored her
to health.
The following scene finds Peter’s mother-in-law leading the Sabbath noon festive meal which usually
lasted until about the eighth hour [about 2:00 p.m.].
Ignorance of the meaning of the Day of Rest leads many to think that the Sabbath is a sad day for Jews
when they must comply with a long list of ridiculous prohibitions. Nothing can be further from the truth.
The stated prohibitions were labor laws issued to protect workers against business owners, intended to
free Jews from work for them to be able to participate in the festivities.
In spite of the mandate to employers, owners abused these laws. Beginning with Amos, the prophets
addressed this problem and severely condemned the mistreatment. A friend of mine just returning from
Jerusalem said that conditions are the same as back then, although not as bad as in Tel Aviv where the
Sabbath is hardly observed.
The Sabbath is the only religious observance stated in the Ten Commandments, and it is the most
importance observance in Jewish life. The day is a joyful celebration of God’s completion of creation, as
written in the Commandment.
Sabbath is a weekly national holiday in Israel. Based on the Shekhinah* concept, the Talmud talks about
the Sabbath as a beautiful bride greeted each week with great joy. In fact, for many devoted Jews
Sabbath is a “she,” not an “it.”
Sabbath begins Friday at dusk, and it [she?] is received with a meal celebration with all family members
participating. Two more meals are part of the celebration: one at noon and the other just before the end
of Sabbath.
The noon meal at the house of Peter was part of such a celebration. After the meals, still sitting around
the dinner table, heads of families led studies of Torah. One wonders if Peter invited his guest to lead
such a study. This activity was followed by lots of celebratory actions and relaxation. Usually, they played
games, went for walks, visited relatives and friends and even took naps. And everyone returned home
for a light supper. Sabbaths were busy days in observant homes in Israel.
In a summary form, let us observe what took place at Peter’s house: Jesus healing of Peter’s
mother-in-law, her coming out of the room to lead in the preparations for the Sabbath noon festive
meal, and the meal itself.
Just as the Sabbath celebrated the completion of creation, there was now occasion to celebrate the
complete healing of the fine woman. Then, sitting back and seeing this second miracle God performed
through Jesus, completed the awe and admiration of everyone there for Creator and creation.
Learnings
What can we learn from the events described above? Awe, service and celebration are three words
emerging right away. Let us consider them.
Awe is a faith building feeling. At the synagogue, everyone was amazed at the action of Jesus helping
the man with the evil spirit. Now at Peter’s home all were astonished at the cure of his mother-in-law. Who
is this man obeyed by bad spirit to come out of folks being tormented by them, questioned the audience
in the synagogue? Similar expressions of wonderment appear in the narratives of the gospels.
The surprise at Peter’s home, I am sure, was no less than that at the synagogue, as they all watched his
cured and serving everyone. The excitement of the Sabbath celebration now is enhanced by the action
of Jesus. God is praised and honored for His deeds, the completion of creation and restoration to health.
Careful observation of the actions of God is faith building. Anyone seeking to enlarge his or her faith
should begin by looking at creation in minute detail. The sages of Israel were great observers and
admires of God’s work, which in turn increased their faith in Him. Here is a sample poem praising God:
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is thy name in all the earth!
Thou whose glory above the heavens is chanted
by the mouth of babes and infants,
thou hast founded a bulwark because of thy foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,
the moon and the stars which thou hast established;
what is man that thou art mindful of him,
and the son of man that thou dost care for him?
Yet thou hast made him little less than God,
and dost crown him with glory and honor.
Thou hast given him dominion over the works of thy hands;
thou hast put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea
whatever passes along the paths of the sea.
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is thy name in all the earth!
(Psalms 8)
The writer of Psalm 19 states that observation of nature tells the story without words. The first six versus
of the poem expressed the glorious wonders of God:
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and there is nothing hid from its heat.
Once you explored creation in detail, you will begin to feel like the author of psalm 42. Capture the words
of the poet as he begins his poem with the image of a thirty young male deer, versus 1 and 2:
As a hart longs
for flowing streams,
so longs my soul
for thee, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
Once you have given a thorough examination to the wonders of God, I assure you that your vision of Him
will be magnified.
The book of Mark is composed of a series of short stories where readers are able to watch Jesus at work
interacting with people in need. Our present text describes the third story. In fact, Mark says that Jesus
“went throughout all Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons” (Mark 1:39). All
these action are narrated in short stories from which we can learn how to act as his witnesses. Later, as
Peter witnessed to a Roman officer affirmed what Mark had said: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with
the Holy Spirit and with power; and he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the
devil (Acts10:38).
What constitute service? Any assistance to others constitutes service. While talking about the meaning
of Christian service, a friend of mine told me of the deeds of an elderly female member of the church in
Colorado where he was a young pastor many years earlier. This member was very poor. She could
barely have enough money to cover her mere necessities. However, in the heat of summer she kept
water in her refrigerator. And she would go about the neighborhood giving cold water to people without
refrigeration.
One must make sense of existence and his or her place in it. The woman of the story above could only
afford giving thirsty people cold water. I am sure that this deed was highly appreciated by the recipients
of her kindness. But there are countless people needing direct assistance. Most churches and
synagogues have programs to help others meet essential necessities. Usually, these establishments
require volunteers to help.
The highest end is service to others because by serving others we serve God and even ourselves
because of the intrinsic value of our deeds. Our model is Jesus. Do we see in the gospels Jesus
participating in affairs other than serving others? Even when he was with his friends, he served them.
The committed Jews have a principle guiding their lives of service. It is dtikkun-olam (repairing the world).
Is there anything we can do as devoted Christians to repair the world?
Whatever is at hand to do, that we should do. As I write this study, not only our nation but the entire
world is undergoing a great economic crisis undesirably affecting life at all levels.
At the domestic level, in our country the mismanagement of government has put us in serious
conditions. What can we do about it? Should we continue allowing the incompetent public “servants” to
run our affairs? If it is high time to replace them, do we know enough about the people wanting to serve?
Do we know honest and competent people we could elect to office? Are we willing to find out who could
be truthful public servants and put them in office?
These and similar questions need our answers as committed Christians. It is high time for us to become
involved in the public discourse and contribute with our perspectives. Our ancestors did and left us a
better, compassionate country in which to live and serve, including services to other nations, as history
reveals.
Celebrating is a basic divine and human action. God celebrated the completion of his creation. I am
positive that good human deeds give God a motive for celebrating.
God created us to have satisfying lives. Celebrating an event brings us pleasure. We celebrate the birth
of a son or daughter with great glee. Then, we go on celebrating succeeding birthdays. During the year,
we find high moments on the life of the child already a man or a woman to celebrate his or her
accomplishments. Whenever a relative or friend has an occasion to celebrate coming up, we are invited,
and we go and join in the festivity. When our favorite sports team wins, we join the crowd in celebrating
the victory. And each time we complete a particular task, we feel good about and celebrate.
In our text, we find Jesus and his friends celebrating the cure of Peter’s mother-in-law, as they celebrated
the end of God creating the universe. Can we learn anything from these folk’s attitude and behavior? I
am sure we do.
The reason Christians gather in a house of worship on Sundays is to celebrate God resurrecting
Jesus from the dead. Is it not? We offer thanksgiving, and sing celebratory hymns in merrymaking.
Churches offer outstanding choir presentations and other groups present their renditions. The only
meaning for Christians gathering on Sundays is to celebrate.
Moreover, Christians should keep throughout the week the Sunday festive mood. We deny the efforts of
Jesus and the work of God as we keep long and sad faces. Many Christians are pessimistic and fatalistic.
What brings about this mood?
The very fact that God created us to have satisfying lives makes us sad whenever this is not possible
because of the presence of pain. The reality of pleasure and pain in human lives produces tension.
Tense people should find relief through rest and relaxation. It is mandatory to take it easy frequently, pull
back and smell the roses. Go for walks in the park. Go away on short vacations.
It is important to keep emotions and reason separate. As the saying goes: “This is easy to say but
difficult to do.” Agree. However, it can be done. Let me give a simple example. You are going down the
road in your vehicle. Suddenly, another car intercepts you from the side. What do you do? Here are two
typical reactions: 1) get out of your care and fight the intruder because your feelings were hurt; 2) pull
back and wait for the other driver to get out of the way. After all, you want to avoid an accident, not fight
someone. Obviously, the first reaction is emotional, the second reasonable.
Unexpected upsetting situations happen continuously. The husband offends the wife, and she responds
to him emotionally, or vice versa. The kids do crazy things, and the mother or father gets upset saying
inappropriate words. At work, the boss or co-workers say things you find offensive. Trying not to create
an adverse situation for you, you stay quiet and keep it to yourself, and so on.
The Sermon on the Mount (see Mathew 5) spells out how the attitude and behavior of the believer
should be. Included in the proposed attitude and behavior is the importance of staying undisturbed.
So, rather than allowing bad feelings to get the best of you, manage your emotions through reason and
celebrate the fact that you are a child of God. Do not allow anything or anyone take away your relations
with God. Celebrate!
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• In the wisdom tradition of the Jews Shekhinah refers to the immanent presence of God. Because the
term is grammatically feminine, the Talmudic scholars used the analogy of a bride in reference to the
Sabbath. In the New Testament, the image is used in several places as well.