Bending over her, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and waited
on them.

At sunset, people suffering from many kinds of sickness were brought to Jesus. Laying his
hands on each one, he healed them. Demons were driven out, howling as they departed
from their victims, “You are the Son of God!” He rebuked them and would not allow them to
speak, for they knew he was the Messiah.

Jesus left at daybreak and looked for a solitary place. People went out in search of him and,
finding him, they tried to dissuade him from leaving. But he said, “I have to go to other towns
to announce the good news of the kingdom of God. That is what I was sent to do.” And Jesus
continued to preach in the synagogues of the Galilee.

Reflect

In Scripture, it’s often the people in the corners of stories who are most inspiring. We see that
in the Gospel today. Simon’s (Peter’s) mother-in-law, once healed from her fever, leaps to her
feet and begins to serve Jesus. Other people bring their ill and infirm friends and loved ones to
Jesus for healing. Luke notes that they did this at sunset, which means that even after a long
day of work, they cared enough and trusted Jesus enough to bring people to him. (Who knows
how far they had to travel!) The people continued to search for Jesus, even when he tried to
be alone.

In our lives too, it is often the people who aren’t in the spotlight who can teach us the most
about living a life of virtue. These are the people eager to be of service to their brothers and
sisters. They are willing to go above and beyond to help those that they love. They are people
who seek to follow Jesus and obey God’s will in all they do. May these good disciples be
models for our lives.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2023