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1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Psalm 33:12-13, 14-15, 20-21
Luke 4:38-44
Simon’s house in Capernaum became Jesus’ home base for his ministry in Galilee. After preaching and teaching in the synagogue, Jesus goes to Simon’s house and cures Simon’s mother-in-law.
During the three years of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee, we can assume that Simon’s mother-in-law often prepared meals and served Jesus, her son-in-law and Jesus’ disciples. We do not know her name, nor do we have any of her words. It appears that she didn’t complain that she was left alone to do the serving like Martha did. She wasn’t anxious about many things. She simply served and was happy to do this for her son and his son’s Master. She expressed her gratitude to God through loving service.
The story of Simon’s mother-in-law brings to mind the simple path of Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta: the fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace. Jesus and his disciples encountered peace in the home of Simon’s mother-in-law, a peace that was fruit of her quiet prayer, simple faith and loving service.
Jesus’ mission extended beyond Capernaum and he went to the other towns of Galilee to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. He came into the world for this: to preach the Good News of salvation to the people of Galilee and Judah, to gather the lost tribes of the house of Israel, and to gather all men to himself through the Cross and Resurrection.
Paul teaches us that we belong to Christ. We are to grow, through Christ and in the Holy Spirit, in our knowledge of God. Some of us need milk, others are ready for solid food. Our spiritual life moves from the milk of purification from sin to the solid food of union with God. Like Jesus, we are nourished by doing the will of our heavenly Father. During our journey to God, we are continually being purified and enlightened by God, but ultimately our goal is union with the Father and sharing in the Wisdom of the Word and the Love of the Holy Spirit.
In God’s vineyard, some of us are called to plant, others to water the plants and care for them. We are not the cause of the growth of God’s vineyard or his Kingdom. We are only collaborators and co-workers of God. We are God’s field, where the seed of the Word of the Kingdom is planted. Both wheat and weeds will grow side-by-side in God’s field until the end of time, when the wheat is gathered into God’s house and the weeds are burned.
Paul also says that we are part of God’s building or spiritual house. Jesus is the cornerstone of this building; the Apostles are the foundation; we are living stones. Through our Baptism, we belong to Christ and work in his vineyard; through this same Sacrament, we become Temples of the Holy Spirit. We pray that today we may live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the Spirit’s gifts.
Readers may contact Fr Jason Mitchell at mitchelljason2011@gmail.com.
