First reading Colossians 1:1-8
The message of the truth has reached you and is spreading all over the world
From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy to the saints in Colossae, our faithful brothers in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
We have never failed to remember you in our prayers and to give thanks for you to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you show towards all the saints because of the hope which is stored up for you in heaven. It is only recently that you heard of this, when it was announced in the message of the truth. The Good News which has reached you is spreading all over the world and producing the same results as it has among you ever since the day when you heard about God’s grace and understood what this really is. Epaphras, who taught you, is one of our closest fellow workers and a faithful deputy for us as Christ’s servant, and it was he who told us all about your love in the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm 51(52):10-11
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever.
I will thank you always for what you have done,
and proclaim the goodness of your name
before your faithful ones.
Gospel Luke 4:38-44
He would not allow them to speak because they knew he was the Christ
Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.
At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. Devils too came out of many people, howling, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.’ And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.
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Appointed and sent
“From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus…” (1st reading). St. Paul recognised that it was God who appointed him as an apostle and not because of his capabilities and character that made him an apostle sent to proclaim the Good News of His love. He kept His sight on God, who called and sent Him.
In today’s gospel, the people were happy with Jesus’ work of healing their sick and wanted Him to stay on. However, Jesus knew that God sent Him to go and preach the Good News to others and touch more lives. He was clear with the mission He received from God His Father. Jesus’ clarity of what He was supposed to do sprung from His prayer, His time alone with God. Today, let us enter into silence and pray. Through prayer, we know that God has sent us on a mission. We are in this world not to live aimlessly but to be instruments of His love.
Reflective question:
Am I aware of the mission that I have?
Am I aware of the mission that I have?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
