Wednesday - January 11, 2023
"Judge with charity all that you see others doing. When this is not possible, excuse them and pray for them."
--St. Francis de Sales
TODAY'S READINGS
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 307
Reading I
Since the children share in blood and Flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations--
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia
Gospel
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
******************************
Responding to God’s Love
How are you responding to the loving touch and compassionate friendship of Jesus? Consider his track record: In the past, he has healed you, he has helped you through difficult times, and he has empowered you to resist temptations. Your faith was tested and you grew stronger. What are you doing with the fruits of these divine interventions? Are they helping anyone else?
Today’s first reading says that because Jesus was tested by what he suffered, he’s able to help us when we’re tested. His sufferings perfected him into a compassionate (translate that as: “with passion”) friend who understands our pain and wants to do something about it.
When his ministry exhausted his energies and someone came seeking more from him, his endless love grew in endurance. When his self-focused desire to protect himself from crucifixion wrestled against the us-focused will of the Father, his concern for us strengthened.
Now, the same thing happens to us. For example, our love grows in endurance when we exhaust our ability to love (think of someone who is very hard to love) and then ask Jesus to multiply the love in us. But then what? What are we doing with the fruits of our spiritual growth? Do we let Jesus expand what we’ve received into more ministry?
Today’s Gospel story shows us the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. Notice how quickly she responds to this gift. She immediately uses it to serve others. What are you good at? This is how you’re gifted and called to serve others in response to God’s love for you.
Notice also how Jesus gains strength and endurance from the Father’s love. Jesus exhausted a lot of energy ministering to the crowds in Capernaum. This town was known as the Via Maris (the Way of the Sea), because it was a significant coastal trading center. There was no end to the stream of folks who crowded in to see what he could do for them, and it wore him out.
Jesus needed time alone with the Father to refocus and recuperate, but it wasn’t long before his friends interrupted the break. What was his response? The companionship and guidance he received from the Father in that brief retreat gave him energy to spread his ministry throughout all of Galilee.
What has God’s companionship and guidance done for you? As Jesus raises us up to a holier life, we respond to his love by moving beyond our comfort zones to share our gifts with more and more people. Every good gift from God deserves a gift in return. The best gift he wants from us is our service to others.
Today's Prayer
I praise You and thank You, Lord, because You want to enter into our lives healing and delivering us from all our woes. Amen.
The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”
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