1 Corinthians 3: 1-9,
Psalm 33: 12-13.14-15.20-21,
Luke 4:38-44 Full Readings
Saints Joseph of Arimathea and NicodemusHe Rebuked the Fever
Yesterday, we were reflecting on the question, 'Which demon is possessing you?' and let us continue today in the same Spirit to reflect on which fever is putting you down. 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 when Jesus rebuked the fever which had put her down and immediately she stood up and started serving them. Jesus miracles continues draw much crowd to him because of his enormous power over the demons and forces of nature. The power of his word was revealed. What he speaks is as good as done. Jesus, the Logos and Word of God, is the one who created all the laws of nature. With Jesus, there is nothing we cannot conquer even those terminal illnesses beyond cure. Jesus a simple rebuke, a single word from him is enough to makes us whole again.
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." Jesus came to set us free from bondage to sin and evil. And so, which fever is putting you down? bring it to Jesus. It may be physical illness or our vices as Jerome (347-420 AD) says "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). May Christ come to our house and enter in and by his command cure the fever of our sins.
Do you earnestly and persistently seek Jesus so that he can heal you? Even when Jesus sough a lonely place to rest, the crowd was flocking to him and he never chased them away but cured them of all the illnesses which had put them down. Jesus will also cure us and hear all our prayer if we continue and persistently seek him. Many times, what we may call hid delay to answer our prayers is a way of testing our faith and to see how devoted and persistent are we in seeking his help. 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.
Jesus Cures Us So That We Might Serve; God's healing power restores us not only to health but to active service and care of others. 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.
Today, remember that Jesus wants to rebuke every fever that is putting you down. 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? Also remember as St Paul tells in the first reading, when these fevers are still part of us, while there is jealousy and rivalry among you, you are of the flesh, and walking according to the manner of man; we are not spiritual at all. Let us endeavour to get rid of these fevers by coming to Jesus.
Let us Pray
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. Amen
Be blessed
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