Luke 4:38-44

Lectio (Reading)

Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.

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.

Meditatio (Reflecting)

Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.

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.

Oratio (Responding)

Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.

A lot of feminists love to use this reading to impugn Jesus, as a mysoginist, or at the very least, the society, that “tells women that they have to serve.” I want to suggest an alternative explanation.

Simon’s mother-in-law was very ill. Most of us can relate to a time when we have been very sick with a high fever, and we can all confirm that it is a miserable thing to experience. I believe that when Jesus rebuked the fever, it was likely immediately gone. Can you imagine being completely, instantaneously, relieved of a fever and sickness like that? Immediately going from illness to being well in a matter of seconds, in fact, I bet she had never felt better in her life.

So my theory is this, that Peter’s mother-in-law, feeling amazing, wanted to do something in return for this man (Jesus) that just did a miracle in her life. She was a mother and a wife, and the one thing she knew how to do was to take care of her family and thus welcoming Jesus into her family, she did the small thing she could, and took care of Jesus, and the other members of her family. I do not see this as anything here, other than a beautiful response of love to an amazing gift from God. And it really should not be contorted into anything other than that.

So I ask you, what gifts has god given you in your life? Have you recognized them for the miracles that they really are? If not, why not? God is constantly working in our lives daily, and He is constantly healing all kinds of maladies. Even a small cut that heals, all on its own, is a miraculous gift from God. Do we even recognize that, or do we all take it for granted? Today look for the “little” miracles that happen all the time, and use them as an opportunity to move closer to God, and to invite God into your family as well.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.

Oh lord, help me today to rcognize you, and the crucial part you play in our daily lives. And when I see your guiding hand, help me to respond to it with love and appreciation. Amen.