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.
(Mk 1:29-39)

It is very interesting that Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, after she was healed, she “waited on them.” The Greek term is the formal term for ministry from which we get the word diakonos (deacon--servant). She didn’t go about saying, “Look at me, I’ve been healed!” She served them—she was a “deacon” to them. I think of my good friend, Deacon Joan Marshall (1929-2004), from All Souls Episcopal Cathedral in Asheville, NC. Deacon Joan reached out to those no one else would welcome. She was an inspiration to me and to many others. I remember her with joy.