Daily Readings - Wed Sep 01 2021
Luke
38Then Jesus, rising up from the synagogue, entered into the house of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in the grip of a severe fever. And they petitioned him on her behalf39And standing over her, he commanded the fever, and it left her. And promptly rising up, she ministered to them40Then, when the sun had set, all those who had anyone afflicted with various diseases brought them to him. Then, laying his hands on each one of them, he cured them41Now demons departed from many of them, crying out and saying, "You are the son of God." And rebuking them, he would not permit them to speak. For they knew him to be the Christ42Then, when it was daytime, going out, he went to a deserted place. And the crowds sought him, and they went all the way to him. And they detained him, so that he would not depart from them43And he said to them, "I must also preach the kingdom of God to other cities, because it was for this reason that I was sent.44And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee
Sermon
In today’s Gospel, we witness Jesus’ compassionate power as He heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others, followed by His dedication to spreading the Good News. After healing her, she immediately serves them, illustrating how faith leads to action. As evening falls, Jesus heals various ailments and casts out demons, affirming His divine authority. Despite the crowds’ eagerness to keep Him, Jesus insists on preaching in other cities, driven by His mission to fulfill God’s plan.
This passage follows Jesus’ proclamation in the synagogue, where He identified Himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. His actions here validate His words, showcasing His authority and compassion. The healings and exorcisms demonstrate the Kingdom of God’s power over human suffering, while His departure underscores the broader mission beyond physical healing, emphasizing the need to spread the Gospel.
In our lives, we can apply this by trusting in God’s providence, especially in times of struggle. Just as Jesus healed and preached, we are called to both serve and share our faith. The balance between action and proclamation reminds us to care for others and to be ambassadors of Christ. Let us embrace this dual call, trusting in God’s plan and actively participating in His mission, just as Jesus did.