The WORD in other words (2009) by Sister Lou-Anne Berbano, SSpS, Quezon City
Wednesday 1st Week in Ordinary Time
Several aspects strike me as I focus on the Gospel of today. First, Jesus encounters people in need of healing. Without hesitation, He lays His hands on them and heals them. He drives out the demons from their lives.
More people come and He continues to respond to their need. He willingly, tirelessly, and unstintingly gives His full-hearted attention to them.
But early in the morning of the following day, He rises to pray in a lonely place. And surprisingly, when His disciples catch up with Him and tell Him about more people in the village seeking His healing, Jesus responds by saying they must move on.
Why does He not stay, when it was just at the height of His credibility and popularity with the people? People in need?
His answer: He must preach the Good News to others… This was His mission.
I believe Jesus knew when to stay and when to leave, where to go and what to do because He listened to His Father’s word, heard in solitude. Thus His heart was ready to go where His Abba’s Spirit led Him, His entire energy focused on nothing else but the Kingdom. He was FREE.
Lord, help us to be Kingdom people
who draw light and strength from within
by sitting at the Master’s feet
as his disciples.
Let us be ministers who are free to BE
and to DO what you will,
setting aside our own “agenda”
to leave, led by the Spirit
in service of Abba’s Kingdom, AMEN.
