The healing touch of the Lord restoring from illness and sending forth
Jesus enters Simon’s house, bends over his sick mother-in-law, and heals her. At evening he welcomes all suffering, and at night he retires to pray. Let us learn from the Master to unite charity toward brothers with communion with the Father.
Lord Jesus, Physician of souls and bodies,
you enter our homes and bend down over our infirmities.
Touch our lives with your powerful hand
and grant us health of heart so that we may serve you.
Infinite Mercy of the Father,
at sunset the people brought every sick person to you.
You never tire of welcoming and healing.
Wipe away the tears of those suffering in body and spirit.
Light of the evening,
free us from the temptation of keeping you only for ourselves.
Make us generous witnesses of your boundless love.
Teach us to bring comfort to the lonely and abandoned.
Master of prayer,
in the silence of the night you retire to deserted places.
Grant us the grace to always seek the Father’s face.
May our action spring from intimacy with you.
Cornerstone of the Church,
sustain doctors, healthcare workers, and caregivers.
Give courage and hope to every suffering person.
To you be glory forever and ever.
Amen.
In the Gospel according to Luke (4:38-44), Jesus leaves the synagogue and enters Simon’s house. Peter’s mother-in-law is suffering from a high fever; Jesus bends over her, rebukes the fever, and it leaves her. Immediately she gets up and begins to serve them. At sunset, the townspeople bring to him those afflicted with various diseases, and laying his hands on each one, he heals them. At daybreak he departs to a deserted place to pray. When the crowds try to prevent him from leaving, Jesus declares his mission: to proclaim the Kingdom of God to other towns as well.
A householder would stay awake if he knew when the thief was coming. Jesus says…
Stay dressed for action, Jesus says, and keep your lamps lit. Then comes the surprise:…
A man in the crowd wants Jesus to settle an inheritance quarrel. Jesus answers with…
A trick question, a coin, an image. Jesus cuts to the heart: Caesar may have…
To own Jesus before others can be costly, yet he promises to own us before…
Thousands press around Jesus, so close they trample one another, yet he speaks to his…