Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
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.

Reflection

The problem with the miracles of Jesus, and He was aware of it, that He didn't want this manifestation of His power to be misunderstood. God does not enter into a life to cure us of every disease and take away all of our weaknesses and inclination to evil. No. It's much more subtle. It's much more complicated. So, please, when you think about the presence of God in you, it's primarily to do something for others.

But we tend to want that power to be used just for us to make us better.

Closing Prayer

Father, help us not to be focused on all that you might be able to do for us but keep us in a mindset, a way of living that is more concerned about the well-being of others than our own. And we asked this in Jesus’ name, Amen.