Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

 

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.

 

Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life is.  In today’s Gospel reading, Christ tells us that his purpose is to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.  We too are called to proclaim the good news.  But in the reading, Simon-Peter’s Mother-in-Law was sick and was unable to serve God.   Jesus laid His hands on her and she was instantly cured. Once cured, she was able to immediately get up and served them. Once the community heard this, they brought their sick to Jesus and He cured them also. In this story we see the unwavering compassion of Jesus for those who are ailing or those who call out for His help. The gospel story says that Jesus rebuked the fever and she was cured instantly. She was so completely cured that she was able to get up and serve them. I know that when I recover from a cold or fever, I am so drained that the last thing I want to do is go and do chores or labor. But through the healing powers of Christ, she was able to provide for the needs of her guests. 

 

Jesus’ healing power not only casts out the fever, it revitalized her with the energy to serve others. Jesus’ power is not only healing, it is revitalizing. It not only frees us from the things that cripple us, it also gives us the strength to live and to serve. Jesus is the ultimate super drug, antibiotic, and vitamin all rolled into one. Jesus not only cured the sick, he dispelled the demons that plagued their souls. He cured both the body and the soul. The people were so overwhelmed with joy that they sought out Jesus. They sought out the Kingdom of God.  This is the best example of the healing power of reconciliation. If you seek God’s help through prayer and reconciliation, He will cast out the demons that keep you from the Kingdom of God. Once these barriers are removed, you are then energized to do the work of the Lord and bring others to the Kingdom of God. This is the same energy you feel at the end of a retreat or after receiving communion. Your body is filled with the Holy Spirit and you feel revitalized to live in Christ. You desire to be with Christ. This is the same feeling that the people felt after Jesus laid his hands on them. This is the feeling you will get after participating in reconciliation. The burdens of your sins are removed from your shoulders and now this energy can be redirected at love and serving instead of fighting the sin.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Father, I am a sinner in bondage.

I have a fever which afflicts my body.

If you lay yours hands on me

I will be freed from sin to do your service.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon