Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 433
Lectionary: 433
Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother,
to the holy ones and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:
grace to you and peace from God our Father.
We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when we pray for you,
for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
and the love that you have for all the holy ones
because of the hope reserved for you in heaven.
Of this you have already heard
through the word of truth, the Gospel, that has come to you.
Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing,
so also among you,
from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth,
as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow slave,
who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf
and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
and Timothy our brother,
to the holy ones and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:
grace to you and peace from God our Father.
We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when we pray for you,
for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
and the love that you have for all the holy ones
because of the hope reserved for you in heaven.
Of this you have already heard
through the word of truth, the Gospel, that has come to you.
Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing,
so also among you,
from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth,
as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow slave,
who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf
and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 52:10, 11
R. (10) I
trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever.
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I will thank you always for what you have done,
and proclaim the goodness of your name
before your faithful ones.
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever.
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I will thank you always for what you have done,
and proclaim the goodness of your name
before your faithful ones.
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
AlleluiaLK 4:18
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 4:38-44
After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,
and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
She got up immediately and waited on them.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God."
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, "To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent."
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,
and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
She got up immediately and waited on them.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God."
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, "To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent."
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Meditation: "He
laid his hands on every one and healed them"
Who
do you take your troubles to? Jesus' disciples freely brought their troubles to
him because they found him ready and able to deal with any difficulty,
affliction, or sickness which they encountered. When Simon Peter brought Jesus
to his home for the Sabbath meal (right after Jesus preached in the synagogue
in Capernaum), his mother-in-law was instantly healed because Jesus heard
Simon's prayer. Jesus could not avoid drawing a crowd wherever he
went.
Jesus
wants to set us free today
No one who asked Jesus for help was left disappointed. Jesus' numerous healings and exorcisms demonstrated the power and authority of his word, the "good news of the kingdom of God." When he rebuked the fever, it immediately left. When he rebuked the demons, they left as well. Why did the demons shudder at Jesus' presence? They recognized that he was the Christ, the Son of God and that he had power to destroy their kingdom by releasing those bound by it. Jesus came to set us free from bondage to sin and evil. Do you seek freedom in Christ and trust in his power to set you free?
No one who asked Jesus for help was left disappointed. Jesus' numerous healings and exorcisms demonstrated the power and authority of his word, the "good news of the kingdom of God." When he rebuked the fever, it immediately left. When he rebuked the demons, they left as well. Why did the demons shudder at Jesus' presence? They recognized that he was the Christ, the Son of God and that he had power to destroy their kingdom by releasing those bound by it. Jesus came to set us free from bondage to sin and evil. Do you seek freedom in Christ and trust in his power to set you free?
When
Jesus and the disciples sought a lonely place to regroup and rest, they found
instead a crowd waiting for them! Did they resent this intrusion on their
hard-earned need for privacy and refreshment? Jesus certainly didn't but
welcomed them with open-arms. Jesus put human need ahead of everything else.
His compassion showed the depths of God's love and concern for all who are
truly needy. Jesus gave the people the word of God and he healed them physically
as well as spiritually.
Jesus
never tires of hearing and answering our pleas
We can never intrude upon God nor exhaust his generosity and kindness. He is ever ready to give to those who earnestly seek him out. Do you allow Jesus to be the Lord and Healer in your personal life, family, and community? Approach him with expectant faith. God's healing power restores us not only to health but to active service and care of others. There is no trouble he does not want to help us with and there is no bondage he can't set us free from. Do you take your troubles to him with expectant faith that he will help you?
We can never intrude upon God nor exhaust his generosity and kindness. He is ever ready to give to those who earnestly seek him out. Do you allow Jesus to be the Lord and Healer in your personal life, family, and community? Approach him with expectant faith. God's healing power restores us not only to health but to active service and care of others. There is no trouble he does not want to help us with and there is no bondage he can't set us free from. Do you take your troubles to him with expectant faith that he will help you?
"Lord
Jesus Christ, you have all power to heal and to deliver. There is no trouble
nor bondage you cannot overcome. Set me free to serve you joyfully and to love
and serve others generously. May nothing hinder me from giving myself wholly to
you and to your service."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Jesus the Chief Physician, by
Jerome (347-420 AD)
"'Now
Simon's mother-in-law was kept in her bed sick with a fever.' May Christ come
to our house and enter in and by his command cure the fever of our sins. Each
one of us is sick with a fever. Whenever I give way to anger, I have a fever.
There are as many fevers as there are faults and vices. Let us beg the apostles
to intercede for us with Jesus, that he may come to us and touch our hand. If
he does so, at once our fever is gone. He is an excellent physician and truly
the chief Physician. Moses is a physician. Isaiah is a physician. All the
saints are physicians, but he is the chief Physician." (excerpt
from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK 75.1)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, LUKE 4:38-44
Weekday
(Colossians 1:1-8; Psalm 52)
Weekday
(Colossians 1:1-8; Psalm 52)
KEY VERSE: "To other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent" (v. 43).
TO KNOW: Jesus Christ is the Soter, the healer of both body and spirit. God's power was at work in Jesus whose divine authority over all forms of evil came from within his very being. After curing the demoniac in the synagogue at Capernaum (Lk 4:33-35), he went to the home of Simon Peter. With a powerful word he cured Simon's mother-in-law who lay ill with a severe fever. As a true servant of God, she arose and waited on Jesus and his disciples. At sunset, the Sabbath ended and the people were free to bring their sick to Jesus. He laid hands on them, curing those who were ill and driving out evil spirits. In the morning, Jesus retired to a deserted place, but the people came in search of him, beseeching him to remain with them. Jesus told them that he must proclaim the gospel to others because that was why he had been sent.
TO LOVE: Who do I know who needs Jesus' healing touch?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, I pray for all those in need of your healing word.
Wednesday 4 September 2019
Col 1:1-8. Psalm 51(52):10-11. Lk 4:38-44
I trust in the kindness of God for ever – Psalm 51(52):10-11
‘I must proclaim the Good News to other towns too’
I trust in the kindness of God for ever – Psalm 51(52):10-11
‘I must proclaim the Good News to other towns too’
The psalmist pleads to God for a new, right spirit and as it is
spring, it may be a good time to examine the lacklustre areas of our becoming.
The prevailing culture of superficiality can clog the access to human freedom,
our better choices.
The ultimate starting point is on the person and life of Jesus.
He moved among the people offering a gentle, encouraging touch for all. Simon
must have had complete confidence that Jesus would help his mother in law. Her
healing gave her the strength to serve.
The truth of the Gospel stories is as relevant today as it was
when Jesus moved among every class of person. Speaking from Abu Dhabi, Pope
Francis suggested that we don’t need superhuman action, but quite
simply just imitate the ways of Jesus in our own little world.
Just living out the Beatitudes can cleanse the world. Any
emptiness can change to new possibilities. Any disability turns to an
unimagined ability. Any alienation turns to a new sense of self-worth.
Saint Rose of Viterbo
Saint of the Day for September 4
(1233 – March 6, 1251)
 |
| Santa Rosa e San Donnino | fresco, Duomo di Ivrea | photo by Laurom |
Saint Rose of Viterbo’s Story
Even as a child, Rose had a great desire to pray and to aid the
poor. While still very young, she began a life of penance in her parents’
house. She was as generous to the poor as she was strict with herself. At the
age of 10, she became a Secular Franciscan and soon began preaching in the
streets about sin and the sufferings of Jesus.
Viterbo, her native city, was then in revolt against the pope.
When Rose took the pope’s side against the emperor, she and her family were
exiled from the city. When the pope’s side won in Viterbo, Rose was allowed to
return. Her attempt at age 15 to found a religious community failed, and she
returned to a life of prayer and penance in her father’s home, where she died
in 1251. Rose was canonized in 1457.
Reflection
The list of Franciscan saints seems to have quite a few men and
women who accomplished nothing very extraordinary. Rose is one of them. She did
not influence popes and kings, did not multiply bread for the hungry, and never
established the religious order of her dreams. But she made a place in her life
for God’s grace, and like Saint Francis before her, saw death as the
gateway to new life.
Saint Rose of Viterbo is the Patron Saint of:
Florists
Flower Growers
Flower Growers
Lectio Divina: Luke 4:38-44
Lectio Divina
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty God,
every good thing comes from You.
Fill our hearts with love for You,
increase our faith,
and by Your constant care
protect the good You have given us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
every good thing comes from You.
Fill our hearts with love for You,
increase our faith,
and by Your constant care
protect the good You have given us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 4:38-44
After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded
with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She
got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with
various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and
cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son
of God." But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they
knew that he was the Christ. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted
place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried
to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, "To the other towns
also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this
purpose I have been sent." And he was preaching in the synagogues of
Judea.
3) Reflection
● The Gospel today narrates four different
events: the cure of Peter’s mother-in-law (Lk 4:38-39), the cure of many sick
people at night, after Saturday (Lk 4:40-41), the prayer of Jesus in a deserted
place (Lk 4:42) and His insistence on the mission (Lk 4: 43-44). With small
differences Luke follows and adapts the information taken from the Gospel of
Mark.
● Luke 4:38-39: Jesus restores life for service. After having participated in the celebration of Saturday in the synagogue, Jesus goes to Peter’s house and cures his mother-in-law. The cure causes her to render service immediately. Having recovered her health and dignity, she places herself at the service of the people. Jesus not only cures, but He cures in such a way that the person places herself at the service of life.
● Luke 4:40-41: Jesus accepts and cures the marginalized. At night, when the first stars appear in the sky, after Saturday is over, Jesus accepts and cures the sick and those possessed whom the people bring to Him. The sick and the possessed were the most marginalized people at that time. They had no one to whom to go. They were at the mercy of public charity; besides, religion considered them impure. They could not participate in the community. It was as if God rejected and excluded them. Jesus accepts and cures them, placing His hands on each one of them. Thus, it is clear in what the Good News of God consists and what He wants to do in people’s lives: to accept the marginalized and the excluded and to integrate them into the community, to live with others.
“Devils came out of many people shouting: “You are the Son of God!” But He warned them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ.” At that time the title Son of God did not have as yet the density and depth that it has for us today. Jesus did not allow the devils to speak. He did not want an easy propaganda based on spectacular expulsions.
● Luke 4:42a: To remain united to the Father by means of prayer. “When daylight came He left the house and made His way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for Him, and when they had caught up with Him they wanted to prevent Him from leaving them.” Here we see Jesus praying. He has to make an enormous effort to have time available and a place suitable for prayer. He goes to a deserted place to be able to stay alone with God. Many times the Gospels speak about Jesus’ prayer, in silence (Lk 3:21-22; 4: 1-2, 3-12; 5:15-16; 6:12; 9:18; 10:21; 11:1; 23:34; Mt 14:22-23; 26:38; Jn 11:41-42; 17:1-26; Mk1:35;). Through prayer, He maintains His consciousness of His mission.
● Luke 4:42b-44: To maintain consciousness of one’s own mission and not think about the result. Jesus becomes known. People follow Him and they do not want Him to leave them. Jesus does not grant this petition and says, “I must proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.” Jesus was very clear about His mission. He does not stop at the result that He has already obtained, but He wishes to sustain His awareness of His mission. It is the mission received from the Father which directs Him when He has to make a decision. “I have been sent for this!” And here in this text this consciousness which is so alive springs up as the fruit of His prayer.
● Luke 4:38-39: Jesus restores life for service. After having participated in the celebration of Saturday in the synagogue, Jesus goes to Peter’s house and cures his mother-in-law. The cure causes her to render service immediately. Having recovered her health and dignity, she places herself at the service of the people. Jesus not only cures, but He cures in such a way that the person places herself at the service of life.
● Luke 4:40-41: Jesus accepts and cures the marginalized. At night, when the first stars appear in the sky, after Saturday is over, Jesus accepts and cures the sick and those possessed whom the people bring to Him. The sick and the possessed were the most marginalized people at that time. They had no one to whom to go. They were at the mercy of public charity; besides, religion considered them impure. They could not participate in the community. It was as if God rejected and excluded them. Jesus accepts and cures them, placing His hands on each one of them. Thus, it is clear in what the Good News of God consists and what He wants to do in people’s lives: to accept the marginalized and the excluded and to integrate them into the community, to live with others.
“Devils came out of many people shouting: “You are the Son of God!” But He warned them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ.” At that time the title Son of God did not have as yet the density and depth that it has for us today. Jesus did not allow the devils to speak. He did not want an easy propaganda based on spectacular expulsions.
● Luke 4:42a: To remain united to the Father by means of prayer. “When daylight came He left the house and made His way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for Him, and when they had caught up with Him they wanted to prevent Him from leaving them.” Here we see Jesus praying. He has to make an enormous effort to have time available and a place suitable for prayer. He goes to a deserted place to be able to stay alone with God. Many times the Gospels speak about Jesus’ prayer, in silence (Lk 3:21-22; 4: 1-2, 3-12; 5:15-16; 6:12; 9:18; 10:21; 11:1; 23:34; Mt 14:22-23; 26:38; Jn 11:41-42; 17:1-26; Mk1:35;). Through prayer, He maintains His consciousness of His mission.
● Luke 4:42b-44: To maintain consciousness of one’s own mission and not think about the result. Jesus becomes known. People follow Him and they do not want Him to leave them. Jesus does not grant this petition and says, “I must proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.” Jesus was very clear about His mission. He does not stop at the result that He has already obtained, but He wishes to sustain His awareness of His mission. It is the mission received from the Father which directs Him when He has to make a decision. “I have been sent for this!” And here in this text this consciousness which is so alive springs up as the fruit of His prayer.
4) Personal questions
● Jesus spent much time in prayer and being
alone with the Father, and He looked for this time. Do I dedicate time for
prayer and solitude with God?
● Jesus had a clear awareness of His mission. As a Christian, am I conscious that I have a mission, or do I live without a mission?
● Jesus had a clear awareness of His mission. As a Christian, am I conscious that I have a mission, or do I live without a mission?
5) Concluding Prayer
We are waiting for Yahweh;
he is our help and our shield,
for in Him our heart rejoices;
in His holy name we trust. (Ps 33:20-21)
he is our help and our shield,
for in Him our heart rejoices;
in His holy name we trust. (Ps 33:20-21)
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