Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 4, 38-44

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,
and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
She got up immediately and waited on them.

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases
brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, “To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent.”
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Interceded with him

1) Fever. A fever can make you feel terrible, and it can even make you see things that aren’t really there, blurring the line between imagination and reality. In the same way, you can experience a kind of “existential fever.” You begin to confuse fantasy with reality, turning in circles inside a world that doesn’t truly exist, and you close yourself off in an attempt to feel safe. Sometimes, as a form of self-defense, you refuse to face reality simply because you don’t want to see it, choosing instead to live inside a fantasy of your own making.

2) He stood over her. You have to lower yourself in order to truly see the people who need you. It’s a gift to know that you can help someone and make a difference in their life, but time passes quickly, and it’s easy to lose touch with empathy. You can even reach a point where you stop caring about anything or anyone. While it’s important to look inward and take care of yourself, you also need to look outward—so you can contribute to other people’s lives and help them recognize what they’re capable of becoming.

3) A deserted place. When people shower you with praise, protect your heart. Otherwise, you may lose sight of who you are while trying to become what they expect you to be. Be wise with yourself, just as Jesus was. Step back, set boundaries, and don’t let public applause distract you from your personal calling.

Never forget that something good is on the way! 

God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.