Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

The readings today fit well in this first week after Christmas season as they still speak loudly of the incarnation. Christ became one of us as attested by the Letter to the Hebrews. Jesus, “became like his brothers and sisters in every way,” (Hebrews 2:17) in order to be tested, so that he could help us who are tested. He became human in order to fully appreciate what it means to live in this world full of fear and slavery. Jesus is the “exact imprint of God’s very being.” (Hebrews 1:3). Therefore Jesus is human and divine. While this may seem an absurdity, Christians accept this paradox. Christ came to minister to the people of the covenant to not only feel their pain but in order to ultimately alleviate it. Not only does the Lord remember his covenant forever, as our psalm response today states, the Lord will remember it for an infinite time as suggested by the numerological phrase of a thousand generations. When God enters into a covenant, it is for keeps. This is not a contract that can be broken. God keeps God’s promises.

Today’s gospel shows us a few of the many ways of how God is remembering the covenant. After praying, Jesus entered Simon Peter’s house to find Simon’s mother-in-law sick. He healed her and the many that were brought to him that evening. Not only did he heal various diseases, he also drove out demons. The next day, Jesus went out early to pray in a deserted place. When the apostles came to find him, they wanted him to return to the village and continue his healing ministry. After his prayer, Jesus led the apostles throughout Galilee to preach and heal.

Although little known, one of the understandings of demon is a bad habit. What person among us would not want to have our bad habits expiated? Jesus came to free us from this slavery, this bondage, this sin. A deeper reflection on these readings might give us a glimpse of Jesus’ approach. The readings remind us that Jesus understood suffering, took time to pray, and from that reality was empowered to do ministry.

As we go about the tasks of the day, let us remember to take some quiet time to recharge our batteries. Lord, we offer to you today our brokenness; we ask you to help heal us, free us from all sin and grant us peace, so that we to may go forth with a purpose that reflects only You and Your covenant with us. Amen.

- Michael Montgomery