Gospel Contemplation: Jesus Heals

Gospel Contemplation is a way of praying that St. Ignatius proposes quite frequently in his Spiritual Exercises. You are invited to use your imagination to enter the scene, to take part, to let the scene unfold. As Ignatius suggests, notice the people, listen to them, watch what they do [SE, 106, 107, 108]. Perhaps you may sense an invitation to be one of the individuals in the scene and engage in a conversation with one of them. You can do this on your own, or use the text below as a guide.

If this way of praying is new – simply relax and try to become engaged in the scene. Try not to worry about what you are “supposed to” be doing. If you find yourself distracted during your prayer, very gently bring yourself back to the scripture text or your imaginative contemplation.

If at any point during the guided contemplation your imagination comes to life in such a way that God invites to you stay with a particular moment, follow the invitation that you sense, rather than move on to where the written contemplation is going. In that case you might want to stop reading and continue on your own.

• Choose a position where you can be relaxed but alert.
• Breathe deeply several times and let your body relax
• Breathe out any worries or stressful thoughts and put them in God’s hands
• Become aware of God’s presence here with you now, looking at you with love.

• Ask God for the grace of whatever you need most right now. If you’re not sure what to ask for, you might ask for the grace of Jesus’ healing.

Read the passage slowly, savoring the words and beginning to imagine the scene. Read it twice if that helps you to visualize it.

Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Today we pick up right where we left off last week. Jesus goes from the synagogue to Simon and Andrew’s house and enters. You enter with him. What is this house like? Is it large or small? Are there many rooms or open spaces? Who is present in the house? What can you hear? What can you smell? Take a few moments to imagine what this house is like and to imagine yourself there with Jesus and the first disciples.

When Jesus is told about Simon’s mother-in-law’s illness, how does he react? Follow as he goes to her and heals her.

How does this moment affect you?

As the sabbath ends, people from all over the town begin to gather at the door, waiting for healing. See them there. Walk among them a bit – what are they saying to one another?

How does Jesus respond? And what do you do?

Let your prayer continue with your imagination. Before you close your prayer, spend a few moments in conversation, either with Jesus, or Simon’s mother-in-law or someone else Jesus healed, or with one of the disciples, sharing your thoughts and feelings about what happened and listening to what they have to say in response.

And when you are ready, close with a favorite prayer.