Daily Catholic Reflection: September 2, 2020, Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

1 Corinthians 3: 1-9,

Psalm 33: 12-13.14-15.20-21,

Luke 4:38-44 Full Readings

Blessed John Francis Burte and Companions

 Christ's Love for us. 

In today's Gospel we see Jesus healing many people starting with Simon's mother in law and others. In this way he showed them love and mercy which he wants to show us too. 

Christ Raises Us Up:

There is a certain matter-of-factness about the cure in this Gospel passage: no special words of Jesus, no words of thanks, no reaction from the people. It is as if Jesus quietly and routinely entered a home and helped a very sick woman up and out of bed. Not your typical miracle that draws a lot of attention. While we hope for that long-awaited miracle in our lives, we might be overlooking one of these very ordinary cures that Christ often offers us. In the spiritual realm, it may be a good confession, receiving him in the Eucharist, spiritual guidance, or a regular examination of conscience. In the physical realm, it may be just taking good care of my health by eating or sleeping properly. We don’t need to demand a special cure. Instead we must be encouraged that Christ has directed his gaze towards us.

He Helps Us to Our Feet: Notice how quickly everything happens in today’s Gospel. Christ helps Simon’s mother-in-law to her feet immediately. She cooperates without skepticism or words of protest. She believes in Christ. His grace is effective. The cure is complete and instantaneous. He allows us to stand up on our own and resume our duties.

Jesus Cures Us So That We Might Serve: We are very good about pleading to Christ for cures, yet frequently hassled when he sends us the “bill” — namely that of serving others. Simon’s mother-in-law immediately begins to serve Christ, who has put her back on her feet. She immediately forgets about herself –– her problems, how she feels, how much time her sickness has set her back –– and instead focuses on the needs of others. Jesus raises up Christians from the death of sin and calls upon them to serve. Christians are risen people whose vocation is to serve.

 Let us pray 

 Dear Lord, everybody is looking for you. You have put me back on my feet and have asked me to imitate your life of service. Help me to be generous with the life you have restored in me so that I, too, might put the interests of your Kingdom above my plans. Amen 

Be blessed