Tuesday of the 1st week of Lent

Opening Prayer

Lord, grant that I may see you more clearly,
love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly,
day by day.

Scripture

Luke 4:38-44

After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.
As the sun was setting, all those caring for any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. Moreover, demons also came out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.
At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds began looking for him, and when they reached him they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.

Reflection

When Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, she immediately begins to serve Him and His disciples. This moment illustrates that healing and restoration are not just for personal benefit but are meant to enable us to serve others. It inspires us to view our own health and well-being as gifts that empower us to contribute to our communities, emphasising the importance of using our strengths and abilities for the common good.

After a night of healing and casting out demons, Jesus withdraws to a quiet place to pray. This highlights the necessity of balancing active ministry with moments of solitude and communion with God. It encourages us to prioritise our spiritual health by regularly seeking quiet time for prayer and reflection, recognising that our effectiveness in serving others is deeply rooted in our connection with God.

Contemplation

I take a few moments to imagine the scene from the Gospel story I just read. I let the words come alive in my heart. I visualise the event as if I was there and part of the story. I pay attention to all the details, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells, and the feelings of the event. I imagine myself as one of the characters in the scene or as myself present in the story. What message does Jesus have for me? How is God speaking to me personally through this story? I open my heart to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving

I ask God, the Father, to give me an intimate knowledge of the many gifts I have received,
so that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty.

Fellow Pilgrims

Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.

– Mary Oliver

Closing Prayer

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen.