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.

Sermon

My brothers and sisters in Christ, today's Gospel passage presents us with a series of events that showcase the healing ministry of Jesus. He enters the house of Simon, where his mother-in-law is afflicted with a severe fever. Jesus rebukes the fever, and it leaves her. She immediately gets up and begins to serve them.

As the sun sets, people bring their sick loved ones to Jesus, and he lays his hands on each of them, curing them. Demons also come out of many, acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God. But Jesus silences them, refusing to let them reveal his true identity.

This passage highlights Jesus' compassion and power to heal. He is not just a teacher or a prophet, but a healer who can restore people to wholeness.

But Jesus' ministry is not limited to physical healing. He is also on a mission to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. He must move on to other towns, preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

This passage challenges us to consider our own response to Jesus' healing ministry. Do we come to him with our own needs and the needs of others, trusting in his power to heal? Or do we try to limit his ministry to our own desires and expectations?

May we be open to Jesus' healing ministry, and may we trust in his power to restore us to wholeness. May we also be willing to follow him on his mission to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Prayer

Let us pray: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty, merciful, and loving God, we come before you, grateful for the healing ministry of Jesus. We thank you for his compassion and power to heal, and for his desire to restore us to wholeness.

Lord, we bring our own needs and the needs of others to you, trusting in your power to heal. We ask for physical healing, emotional healing, and spiritual healing.

Help us to trust in your healing ministry, and to not limit it to our own desires and expectations. Give us faith to believe in your power to heal, and to trust in your goodness.

As we follow Jesus on his mission to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, give us the courage to share his message with others. May we be willing to go to the places he sends us, and to preach the good news to all who will listen.

May we be open to your healing ministry, and may we always trust in your power to restore us to wholeness.

In Jesus' most holy name we pray, Amen.

Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,

Rev. Fr. Jhimerson Maneclang,SCJ