REFLECTIONS TODAY
Practically everyone these days says he or she is busy. Even those who have no jobs are still desperately busy looking. Of course, every one of us is busy with his/her gadgets on social media. But those who are really taking on many things find themselves at the end of the day dead tired. In the midst of this frenzy, we are often pushed to ask ourselves, “Is this what life really is all about? Shouldn’t there be time for everything: for work, for rest, for recreation, for prayer? Are we really that busy as to have no time to even reflect on how we live our lives?” The Gospel shows us that while Jesus is very busy doing the works of the Father, he also has time to commune with him in prayer and solitude. Jesus teaches us that all our efforts and sacrifices mean nothing if they are not put within our relationship with God. He must have always seen his work as mission and not just for his own fulfillment; in fact, it was really totally for others. This is something we ought to remember, so that when we get frustrated it does not destroy us because we realize it is God’s work we are doing.
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.
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.