So JN-1. You showed up at my front door, invited yourself in, unpacked your bags, and presented me with your latest variation of viral gifts – leaving my head in a spin, and my body on fire, and chills and fevers coursing through my bones. And finally when you decided to leave, you left the room untidy, some damage to the property, and my head feeling drained and depleted. I’ll thank you not to come again, but wish you every success in finding a nice remote swamp to go and settle down.

I wonder what virus had weakened Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. It seems that the poor lady was confined to bed when Jesus arrived for dinner at Peter’s house. I can see her isolating on a couch in the corner; embarrassed not to be able to help with the necessary hospitality, annoyed at her weakness, and perhaps a little vexed at her son-in-law’s insensitivity in inviting guests to a house of sickness. But she was not forgotten.

‘Immediately’ – which is Mark’s, who wrote this narrative, favourite word – they told Jesus about her. And with a heart of compassion, the Master went to her, dismissed the fever, and restored her smile and strength and privileged place to handle the duties of the table. That’s the way it is with the Master. And that’s the way it will be again, at His coming, when with a word He shall banish all sickness, and prescribe the fullest health forevermore.