Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

— 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. — 35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Today’s Gospel depicts something of the frantic demands that confront Jesus in his ministry. Before he can relax and enjoy the hospitality of Simon and Andrew’s house, he is called upon to heal Simon’s mother-in-law. Then at sundown, we are told ‘the whole city was gathered around the door’ seeking healing from diseases and release from demons. The next day, the disciples, tell him that ‘everyone is searching for you.’

Jesus knew that the only way he could fulfil his mission was by staying connected to his fuel source, prayer with his heavenly Father. If Jesus needed to get up early and find a quiet place to pray, then so too we need to create spaces in our lives, where we can spend time with Jesus, allowing God’s grace, mercy, wisdom, healing, joy and love to flow into our lives.

We are called to spread the good news, not as evangelisers “who are dejected, impatient or anxious, but from ministers of the Gospel whose lives glow with fervour, who have first received the joy of Christ.” (Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel n.10) Without prayer, our efforts to be good parents, responsible citizens, loving friends and compassionate listeners are dependent on our own limited resources, which soon run dry. Prayer is our superpower, allowing the fullness of God’s love and mercy to flow through us to others.

Today, let us set aside a time of prayer and ask Jesus to fuel us with joy that we can bring to those we will encounter in the course of our day.