It is the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. Today’s Bach cantata is “Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben?” (Dearest God, when will I die?)

Today’s Gospel reading is Mark 1:29-39.

Jesus Heals Many

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

The text of today’s piece is available here. It contains these words:

Dearest God, when will I die?
My time runs away continually,
and the old legacy of Adam,
which includes me as well,
has this as its inheritance;
for a little time
to be poor and wretched on the earth
and then to become earth itself.

. . . .

But hence, you foolish, useless worries!
My Jesus calls me: who wouldn’t go?
Nothing that delights me
belongs to the world.
Dawn on me, blessed, joyful morning,
transfigured and glorious, standing before Jesus.

Happy listening! Soli Deo gloria.