Jesus Heals Many
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Reflection: Clinging to Jesus
Alzheimers and dementia, diabetes, anxiety, depression, ADHD. There are a plethora of demons I would like Jesus to cast out of people I care about. How incredible it must have been for the people in today’s Gospel to watch those demons scamper away like cockroaches that have just been exposed to the light. I know if I saw Him cure one, I would go grab all the other people I know and love so they can also be likewise cured. Once I discovered such incredible healing powers existed, I would do anything to keep the magic nearby.
No wonder the community tries to cling to Jesus, begging Him to stay and offer healing to more people in need. In my own way, I try to keep Jesus for myself. Why should someone else be healed while I still grieve and struggle? Why does someone else’s school, Church, or ministry thrive while my own experiences hardship? Jesus, why won’t you just be mine?
Prayer
In the Hands of God
More than ever I find myself in the hands of God.
This is what I have wanted all my life from my youth.
But now there is a difference;
the initiative is entirely with God.
It is indeed a profound spiritual experience
to know and feel myself so totally in God’s hands.
– Pedro Arrupe, S.J.
Jen Coito: Ignatius at Home 