WEDNESDAY OF THE TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 31, 2022

MASS READINGS

A reading of the holy Gospel according to LK 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.

REFLECTION

"He laid his hands on each of them and cured them."

There were many ways Jesus healed the people. In this episode he did it by laying His hands on each of them and curing them. Everyone whom He touched was healed. Each one had a special meeting with Jesus, each sick person was unique to Him. With great dignity and respect for the sick, Jesus performed his miracles. He worked tirelessly and then went on to another village.

We pray that our priests will be devoted to their ministry. That they help all who come to them with patience, one by one, and bring them to Jesus. That confessions be available to all, that they visit the sick with Holy Communion, that they go when called when there is an emergency or administer the Anointing of the Sick, seek after the souls who have not yet come to Jesus, or counsel and console without any burnout.

The priests must be ready to do all these and more. And the priest needs to find time, break away to a quiet place to pray and converse with God.

We pray for a new found zeal and that their ministry be successful. Please join in praying for priests and for more vocations.

God Bless You.