Resources, Prayers, Games, and Lesson Plans
More Thoughts and Reflection Questions
Mass Readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
- First Reading – Job 7:1-4, 6-7: “So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me.”
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 147: “Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.”
- Second Reading –1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23: “To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak.”
- Gospel – Mark 1:29-39: “So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.”
Themes for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
The readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B cause us to reflect on Jesus’ power to heal us, both physically and spiritually. In the first reading, Job laments that he is experiencing so much misery and despair. But the psalm reminds us to “Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.” The Gospel tells how Jesus cured Peter’s mother in law, freed those possessed by demons, and preached in the area.
- How Jesus heals us
- Serving others
- Hope
- Evangelization
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B.
Resources for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
I’m Healed. What’s Next? A Lesson Plan on Our Response to God’s Grace
This reflection will help youth consider their response to God’s grace. What do we do when we are healed?
Silly Server – A Serving Game
Silly Server is a serving game where participants pretend they are waiters. They must balance some ping pong balls on a plate while running back and forth. Tie this in with how Simon's mother-in-law got up and served after Jesus healed her.
Homilies and Reflections for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
The Real Good News
Jeff Cavins shows the difference between the world’s version of good news and God’s version of good news.
The Real Answer to Why God Allows Suffering
Playing a video game called Injustice helps Fr. Mike Schmitz explain the real answer to why God allows suffering.
The Spirituality of Pain
From Bishop Robert Barron. "Why would an all-powerful and all-loving God allow his people to suffer so much? That’s one of the oldest and most difficult theological questions. Our first reading from Job and our Gospel from Mark provide some fascinating answers."
Raised to Serve
From Scott Hahn. "In today’s First Reading, Job describes the futility of life before Christ. His lament reminds us of the curse of toil and death placed upon Adam following his original sin (see Genesis 3:17–19). Men and women are like slaves seeking shade, unable to find rest. Their lives are like the wind that comes and goes." Continue reading.
How to Evangelize
Also from Bishop Barron. "Friends, in this Sunday’s readings, St. Paul highlights the significance of evangelization. The Church, by its very nature, evangelizes, going out to the ends of the world with its good news. And woe to us if we fail to do this! Paul urges us to organize our lives around mission, and to even move out of our comfort zones to do so."
More Thoughts for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Mark 1:29-39: The Healing Ministry of Jesus
The Gospel of Mark 1:29-39 presents us with a powerful story of Jesus healing many people, including Simon's mother-in-law, who was sick with a fever. This passage offers us valuable insights into Jesus' ministry and his relationship with his disciples.
We can see Jesus' compassion and healing power in his actions towards the sick. He doesn't discriminate and heals all who are brought before him, showing us that his mission is to bring healing and wholeness to all people, regardless of their social status or background.
The Power of Prayer and Solitude
In this passage, we can also see Jesus' dedication to prayer and solitude. After healing Simon's mother-in-law, Jesus goes off to a solitary place to pray, demonstrating his deep and intimate relationship with his Father in heaven. This reminds us of the importance of prayer in our own lives, and the need to make time for quiet reflection and spiritual nourishment.
Restoration
Jesus came to restore humanity to life. The healings he performed were physical manifestations of his mission. To the Jewish people, the demons and sickness and oppression were all physical signs of God's enemies. Jesus came to conquer death and his miracles show that death would not be his master.
The disciples are called to be with him, to witness his teachings and miracles, and to learn from him. Jesus entrusts them with the task of spreading the Good News and continues to guide and instruct them in their journey of faith.
St. Paul calls us to the same ministry of restoration. We are meant to bring God's life into the world so that we will not be controlled by death. We are meant to bring the Good News of hope to the world.
Reflection Questions for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
- How has Jesus restored me to life?
- How do I see the effects of sin manifested in my community?
- Who needs me to bring hope to them today?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
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