In today's Gospel, Luke 4: 38-44, Peter's mother-in-law is seriously ill with a severe fever. Peter and others in the household intercede for her and Jesus heals her! Immediately following the healing, she proceeds to wait upon Peter and his guests.
Notice that the healing takes place very quietly within the home and as the result of the family interceding for the sick family member. Take notice of three things: 1) That family matters and each member plays a significant part in the well-being of the other members, 2) That intercessory prayer is important and effective, and 3) That simplicity and humility are essential characteristics of disciples of Jesus. Following the healing, Peter's mother-in-law simply gets up and humbly waits upon the family and their visitors, immediately assuming the ordinary duties of the one who provides hospitality. She could have, on the other hand, expected to be waited upon and treated with "kid gloves," so to speak, given how sick she had been. Or she could have expected a lot to be made over her because she was the recipient of a sudden cure by Jesus! Either position would not have been the fruits of simplicity and humility but would have flowed from pride!
Following the meal, as the sun is setting, people of the village bring their sick to Jesus for healing. "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 Jesus rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ." Jesus them goes off to a quiet place, most likely to commune with the Father. He does not hang around expecting Peter and his family or the villagers to applaud Him for the healings he performed in His Father's name.
Both Jesus and Peter's mother-in-law are models of simplicity, humility and service. As disciples of Jesus, we, too, are called to live simple and humble lives of service and, like Peter and his family, be intercessors for others in need!
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