In today’s Gospel, we experience the healing power of Jesus. After leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon. When he arrived, Simon’s mother-in-law was very ill with a high fever. When Simon brought Jesus to his home, his mother-in-law was instantly healed and fully restored. She got up from the bed and began to serve them.
At sunset, many people who were ill were brought to Jesus. They had a variety of diseases. Jesus laid His hands on each of them, and they were cured.
Missionary of the Father
At daybreak, Jesus left town to find a deserted and quiet place. However, the crowd of people followed Him and tried to prevent Him from leaving. (Who would not want a healer close by?) Yet, Jesus did not allow Himself to be bound to Capernaum. In prayer, in His communication with the Heavenly Father, He would always hear afresh the will of the Father — to preach the Kingdom for all, to all. In prayer, Jesus would always be reminded of the nature of His earthly existence: He is the missionary of the Father. Therefore, rising from every prayer, Jesus continued to go and preach in the synagogues of the Jewish country.
Missionary Zeal
The Church, the Body of Jesus, ought to always have the same missionary zeal. It is good to be focused on one’s church group, ministry, or organization for in these we have the Mystery of the Incarnation lived out. We embody in a specific space and time the Good News. But we must not be so “closed or limited” that we lose the awareness and sensitivity for the Christian Faith, its challenges, and urgent needs elsewhere. We must also be open to do something, and even be sent to a mission beyond our usual territories and ministry.
God’s healing power restores us not only to health, but also to active service and care of others. There is no trouble he does not want to help us with and there is no bondage from which he can’t set us free.
Jesus, send me to heal someone who needs it. As You use me for another’s healing, I myself will be healed. Thank You. Amen
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Is the missionary spirit alive in your parish or your ministry? In what way is this expressed? If you were given an opportunity, where would you want to go for a mission? Why?
Thank you for reminding us of the missionary call of the Church and of our parishes, Father Archie! I wholeheartedly agree. We are all called to “go out into the deep.”