This second day's reading from Mark places Jesus in Capernaum. As you may see reading through the Gospel of Mark, Capernaum is a "hometown" for Jesus. It is also the home of Peter and Andrew, James and John, two sets of brothers that Jesus has called as his disciples. Capernaum was an amazing place to visit, partly because there is no doubt that Jesus was there. We walked through the ruins of the places where Jesus lived and taught and healed. People sought Jesus out as he worshiped and taught in this synagogue:
In fact, this "white" stone was a fourth century synagogue which was built on the ruins of the synagogue that would have been the very building where Jesus healed the demon possessed man we read about here. (See the picture to the right with the sign - white stone is 4th century and black stone is the ruins from the first century synagogue.)
Between the synagogue and the Sea (or Lake) were the remains of many houses, some modest and some more elaborate. One of the houses in particular had been modified and built onto to be a house church in the early centuries after Jesus death and resurrection. Much later (although, still very early compared to our 230 year "young" country), a church was erected on top of the house church, and later another, this one octagonal. (See below) These churches are believed to be built on Peter's home. It is believed that people began early on to visit Peter's home and a house church began to meet. Although we cannot be 100% sure this is true, it actually makes a lot of sense. If it is true, under this strange structure of a church, Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law.
This is the first time in Mark that we encounter Jesus withdrawing to a solitary place to pray, which he does often. As often as possible, anyway. There's certainly something to be said for that. Learning to withdraw on occasion, learning to seek solitude and enjoy quiet times of prayer is certainly something we can learn from. But notice also that his time alone gets interrupted and yet his response is gracious and his purpose is clear. Jesus goes with those who have come to find him without chastising them for interrupting his quiet time, without blaming them for his lack of time alone with his Father, but also without letting go of why he came. Jesus goes with them to meet the needs of the people, but it is he who sets the agenda according to God's purpose for him. His focus stays exactly where it should be time and time again.
