Practical Hints 2: Reading Scriptures Intelligently
this; people who have English as a second or third language need to be reminded of this. In sum, the content of the passage can be described in the following way:
1. The Holy One of God (1:24) drives away not only demonic spirits but also debilitating forces (the fever in v. 31) by his presence. 2. He does this not only through words (as in v. 25) but also through gestures (v. 31); not only in sacred places (as in a synagogue), but also in not so sacred ones (in the house of Simon and Andrew). 3. The Holy One heals not only when confronted by evil(as in v. 24) but also when his attention is called to it (as in v. 30). 4. The cured woman's action, that is, waiting on Jesus and his companions, can perhaps be seen as a response in gratitude. (Some people I know would make the connection almost automatically.)
These conclusions about the person of Jesus can already form part of one's stock knowledge about Him as one goes on to read Mark's Gospel. For the advanced reader, this knowledge about Jesus the "Holy One of God" can already become a jumping board for a prayerful reflection. One can perhaps ask oneself: "If I were Simon or any one of the disciples in that situation, who is the sick person whom I would refer to Jesus?" Or perhaps, one can put oneself in place of the sick woman and say: "If I were that woman, in what way will I serve Jesus and His disciples?" Either way, a reading of the text that adheres to the language, syntax, grammar and context of a passage goes a long way in one's education in the faith.
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