Christ Heals Us for Service

Readings: 1^st: 1 Cor 3:1-9; Ps: 33; Gos: Lk 4:38-44

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico, the island of enchantment. He is the Chancellor of the Dioceses of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico; the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. For more details and comments contact him at:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is the Wednesday of the twenty second week of ordinary time. Today’s gospel is a continuation of yesterday’s.

Christ tirelessly went about teaching, healing, and delivering people. This includes, the mother-in-law of Peter.

He saw his ministry as a responsibility, and not principally as a wage earner. So, he was passionate about it, and about the welfare of his people.

Like Jesus, we ought to see our call and mission as a responsibility, rather than a wage earner, or for worldly reward as its end. Wages or rewards does not refer to only money or material things.

Deliberately seeking undue praises for our work and mission, is a way of demanding wages too. If we do so, we have already received our wages and reward here.

So, when we attract undue attention to ourselves for the work we do, it is also a way of gaining a wage for what simply ought to be our responsibility.

Jesus preached, healed and delivered people from all kinds of infirmities and problems. There was no one who encountered him with faith whose life was not transformed.

A very important lesson for us in today’s gospel comes from the healing of Peter’s mother in law, and her immediate response and action afterwards.

This healing reminds us that, Christ heals us for service. Immediately she recovered her health and dignity, she placed herself at the service of the entire family and community. She gave back immediately.

So, we are cured that we may place ourselves at the service of others, and our community. This is the way the kingdom of God is spread among us.

Peace be with you all.

Maranatha!