Read Colossians 1:1-8, Psalm 52 & Luke 4:38-44
“And demons also came out of many, crying, ‘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.” (Luke 4:41)
1. Healing.
Today’s Gospel passage is a direct manifestation of the manifesto of Jesus: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,” (Luke 4:18). Inflamed by the Holy Spirit, Jesus visited Simon’s house where he healed Simon’s mother in law and that same night, the whole community brought to Jesus their sick and possessed relatives. Jesus healed them all.
2. Prayerfulness.
Jesus rose very early the next and went to a quiet place all by himself to pray. When we are led by the Holy Spirit, we cannot afford to stay away from prayer. For Jesus, going to a quiet place all by himself to pray shows He practised what he preached: “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners ... But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6).
It is sad today to see Christians today who take pleasure in using prayer to disturb others. Some believe that if they don’t shout at the top of their voices, their prayer will be ineffective. Brothers and sisters, God is not deaf. He doesn’t need loud speakers to hear prayers, He only needs a heart.
3. Preaching.
When his disciples found Jesus, they said, “everyone is looking for you” but Jesus said: “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” St. Paul would say: “Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel.” (1st Cor. 9:16). Preaching is an activity of the Holy Spirit. “No one takes this honour upon himself unless he is called and chosen like Aaron was.” (Hebrews 5:4).
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, fill me with the Holy Spirit. Amen. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of week 22 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Colossians 1:1-8, Psalm 52 & Luke 4:38-44)