WEDNESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, JANUARY 14, 2026
- Olivia M. Bannan
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
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.
REFLECTION
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Usually this Gospel reading gathers its fair share of jokes of mothers-in-law. We tend to forget or lose focus about who Jesus is and how He lives His mission.
He prayed in the Synagogue. On being told about Peter's mother-in-law, with a simple, personal gesture, --taking her by the hand--He heals her. She, in turn, with a simple response gets up and serves. God's goodness and grace are to be shared with others. He is not distant, and through His actions shows us how much He loves us. For that evening He drove out demons, healed the sick, the confused and the broken.
Praying or speaking to God is most important in His life and should be in ours. After a day of preaching and healing, He finds His strength in prayer, in silence and communion with His Father... Giving glory to His Father.
Not hanging around for the plaudits and the applause, the comfort and perhaps the praises of the people, Jesus, obedient to His purpose and mission, moves on to fulfill His Father's will.
Though the New Year's resolutions probably have not quite been followed, we can still resolve to make more space for prayer amid our busyness, to serve with a smile and ask God for the gift of compassion and the ability to listen to and never ignore the nudges by the Holy Spirit.
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