Jesus gave old Rufa a strong desire to live. Peter’s mother-in-law got up that day and succeeding days. She helped in the kitchen, did the laundry and served at the table... while she sang the melo dies of old, as taught to her by her grandparents, which she, in turn, taught to her grandchildren.
Peter had a mother-in-law, and therefore, was married. This is one detail of the gospel. The composition of the family (his wife, Rufina, and his four sons) is an elaboration of the episode. Jesus’ disciples were men of flesh and bones, engaged in their own occupation, with family, a house, and with a psychological make-up different from each other. The gospel gives us more data about Simon, nicknamed Peter (also called “stone-thrower” in the account) that will help us reconstruct his way of being. A protagonist in several episodes in Jesus’ life, Peter appears as a vigorous man, impulsive, affectionate, very generous and close to Jesus on account of their profound friendship. Peter’s house, where Jesus meets the old Rufa, is one of the historically authentic places among the more tangible remembrances of the life of Jesus. Of Peter’s house are preserved its foundations and threshold at the entrance, through which Jesus certainly passed a hundred times. The foundations reflect the extremely small space where Peter and his family lived in poverty.
In Jesus’ time, there were less old people than today. Human span of life was shorter due to a dearth of medical knowledge. Most men and women died young according to present-day perception. Old folks were very much loved and their presence inspired respect in the family. They were likewise responsible for transmitting family history, cultural traditions, etc. Jesus does everything for everyone. He approaches grandmother Rufa in a manner we should treat our old folks: by making them feel their worth, giving them the strength to confront their afflictions with hope and preparing them for the hour of death with serenity and trust in the Lord. This “miracle” of Jesus is a sign of God’s love for the old, who, at times, are rejected and deemed useless by the society of today.
Peter had a mother-in-law, and therefore, was married. This is one detail of the gospel. The composition of the family (his wife, Rufina, and his four sons) is an elaboration of the episode. Jesus’ disciples were men of flesh and bones, engaged in their own occupation, with family, a house, and with a psychological make-up different from each other. The gospel gives us more data about Simon, nicknamed Peter (also called “stone-thrower” in the account) that will help us reconstruct his way of being. A protagonist in several episodes in Jesus’ life, Peter appears as a vigorous man, impulsive, affectionate, very generous and close to Jesus on account of their profound friendship. Peter’s house, where Jesus meets the old Rufa, is one of the historically authentic places among the more tangible remembrances of the life of Jesus. Of Peter’s house are preserved its foundations and threshold at the entrance, through which Jesus certainly passed a hundred times. The foundations reflect the extremely small space where Peter and his family lived in poverty.
In Jesus’ time, there were less old people than today. Human span of life was shorter due to a dearth of medical knowledge. Most men and women died young according to present-day perception. Old folks were very much loved and their presence inspired respect in the family. They were likewise responsible for transmitting family history, cultural traditions, etc. Jesus does everything for everyone. He approaches grandmother Rufa in a manner we should treat our old folks: by making them feel their worth, giving them the strength to confront their afflictions with hope and preparing them for the hour of death with serenity and trust in the Lord. This “miracle” of Jesus is a sign of God’s love for the old, who, at times, are rejected and deemed useless by the society of today.
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