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Vocation Meditation -
February 8, 2009
Used with permission from ChristianComputerArt.Com
As soon as Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they at once told Jesus about her. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening, at sundown, they brought to Jesus all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions searched for him. When they found him, they said to him "Everyone is looking for you."
He answered, "Let us go to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came to do." And Jesus went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Jesus set out on a preaching tour of the synagogues of Galilee. Three times we see Him healing people. First, he healed in their synagogue; second, he healed in the house of his disciple, Peter; and then, he healed in the streets. Jesus recognized the claim of everyone. Wherever there was anguish, trouble, and sadness, Jesus was ready to use His power to restore body and soul. He selected neither the place nor the person to make miracles. He can cure in the open and in the homes of friends. He was aware of the universal claim of human need.
Jesus always did 2 things inseparably. He preached and He healed. He never separated His words from His actions. He never separated His ministry from His prayer life.
In the quiet hours of the morning, Jesus was aware of His personal claim of the need of being in communion with God. Responding effectively to the claim of human need and the claim for the need of God gives balance to the vocation of every disciple.
Vocation Challenge: Jesus went about preaching and healing. He prayed as much as he worked. How do I put balance in my prayer and action in my ministry?
Dear God,
Jesus prayed as much as He worked. He put things in priority as You would have Him do for the spread of Your Kingdom. Let me learn from Him. Make me a disciple of prayer and a disciple of intense activity for Your glory. Amen.
For the full Gospel reading for this Sunday, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.