GOSPEL POWER l SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 l WEDNESDAY

22nd Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 4:38-44 

38After leaving the synagogue Jesus 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. 40As the sun was setting, all those who had 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. 41Demons 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. 42At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And  the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they  wanted to prevent him from leaving them. 43But 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.” 44So he continued proclaiming the  message in the synagogues of Judea.

 In this account of a typical day in the ministry of Jesus, we  get a glimpse of what occupies the prime place in his life.  “At daybreak” — the very first hour of the day, Jesus seeks to  be in communion with his Father. The “deserted place” is a space-ofintimacy from where Jesus draws strength for his demanding mission.  Spending time in the deserted place keeps him anchored in his  Father’s will and clear about the purpose of his coming. Success and  his growing popularity in a locality cannot persuade him to prolong  his stay. The Father’s will is the compass that orients his every move.  With this, he reveals the secret for living a full and purposive life. Lord Jesus, amidst the bustle of our everyday life, beckon us to that  deserted place where you await us to renew our strength to continue the  journey. Amen