Luke 4:38-39 NRSVue

³⁸After 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. ³⁹Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
There is authority in Jesus' action, even at the start of his ministry. /He stood over her and rebuked the fever/. The good woman did not try to enjoy a convalescence. Healing meant not just the absence of pathology, but wholeness, energy, and the readiness to serve. Lord, lay your hand on the fevers in my heart, and fit me to work for you.

Reflection
The synagogue was the meeting place for the locality. In going to the synagogues Jesus was sure of meeting everyone. He sought people out, went to where they were. This is the Incarnation continuing daily. God in Jesus came from eternity and heaven to find the lost and to save all. He is constantly trying to find us. Prayer is giving time to being with him, so we are at home when he calls. He wants to be part of our lives, like friends who want to share life together.

Reflection
Jesus is presented as a man with a mission that will bring him from one town to another. He seems never satisfied with staying in one place and seems to think of his future as he moves from place to place. Our call is similar: we are not necessarily asked to move from place to place but are always concerned with building the kingdom of God in our own way and in our own place.

Reflection
You could see Jesus' life as a struggle against sickness and death. He was a healer, and reached out to cure the pains that disabled people. He wanted them to forget about their bodies and be fit to serve, like Simon Peter's mother-in-law; once her temperature dropped, she got up and made the tea.