Gospel of the day
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.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
The Christmas season has come to an end and this week Ordinary Time has begun. Through the Church’s pedagogy at the start of this liturgical season, the Gospels lead us back to the very origin of Christian life. On Monday, we hear a call: Jesus invites us to follow Him. On Tuesday, we discover that Jesus teaches with authority and sets us free from evil. Today, and in the days that follow, we see how He enters our daily lives and heals us.
Christian life begins by allowing ourselves to be loved and healed by Jesus, and it continues when we spend that love we have received by loving and serving others. “The fever left her, and she began to serve them.” Health is given to us so that we may give it away, so that we may use it in the service of Christ and of our neighbour—beginning, in our case, with our spouse, our children… When we have been touched by the Lord, we learn that life is lived by giving oneself, not by holding back.
If what truly mattered were simply having good health, we would all be doomed to misfortune, because sooner or later health fades. But if what truly matters is to love and serve God, then health becomes something to be spent, and illness something to be offered at the foot of the Cross, for the salvation of souls. In this way, in health and in sickness, we can always give ourselves, and we can always love.
Rachel: Have you noticed how Mary and Luke are doing? Every time we speak with them it seems they understand each other less. They do nothing but reproach one another, listing what each does or fails to do. They don’t value each other anymore… We really need to pray for them; they’re growing further and further apart.
Paul: Yes—so much pain. I think that besides much prayer and sacrifice on our part, it would do them good if we went to see them, if we were simply with them, and listened to them… like Jesus in Peter’s house, who drew close to the one who was suffering and took him by the hand.
Rachel: Yes, to be close… although I confess that sometimes I don’t know what to say to them.
Paul: Come on—perhaps this closeness will help them more than a thousand words. On the way we can pray a rosary and place everything in Our Lady’s hands. She knows what to do.
Mother,
Our hearts are wounded, and we give thanks because in every Communion, Jesus draws near to touch us and to heal us. How much we need His closeness! Thank you for bringing Jesus to us. Blessed and praised be your name forever!