featured image

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 4:38-44

Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick in bed with a “severe fever” when Jesus entered the house. Simon and company pleaded with Jesus to do something. In effect, they interceded on the woman’s behalf. Jesus went to her and she was instantly healed by His words. She got up and immediately (and wholeheartedly) served Jesus and her family.

This is a stark example of two essential elements of the Christian faith. The first is intercessory prayer. I believe we often do not grasp the amazing power of our Christian brothers and sisters lifting us up in prayer (or doing the same for them). It is imperative that we ask for prayers when needed and lift up those who ask us to pray.

One of the many things I love about our Catholic Mom writers community is coming together to share our prayer needs. What a powerful and wonderful gift that is. I’m also able to share prayer requests through my local Catholic email groups. Often, just knowing that friends are praying, and also calling on the intercession of the saints in heaven, is enough to bring peace to my heart. Many of us know, from our own seasons of suffering, that the sacraments and intercessory prayer will supply the grace to weather our storms. (If you’re not part of such a group, start one!)

But the Gospel reading does not end there. It goes on to model how we should respond to answered prayer. We must extend our heartfelt gratitude and return (or transform) to a mode of worship and selfless service of God and the people around us. Illness can sometimes refer to living outside of God’s will, but God can also alleviate that suffering (mainly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation). Either way, we are made new!

 

Ponder:

 

Do people think of me as someone they can rely on for diligent intercessory prayer, and, am I quick to ask for prayer?

 

Pray:


Bless me, Holy Trinity, with a pure heart of love and compassion, that I might intercede with power.

 

Click to tweet:
Often, just knowing that friends are praying, and calling on the intercession of the saints in heaven, is enough to bring peace to our hearts. #DailyGospel

Daily Gospel 2

 

Copyright 2023 Charlene Rack

About the Author

Charlene Rack

Charlene Rack

Charlene Rack grew up in the "heartland," moved south to Cincinnati, married a Catholic man, converted to Catholicism, and had three children. Along the way, she's planned many mission trips, youth groups, and pilgrimages to the March for life for teens and young adults - all carried out with her goofy sense of humor and her enthusiastic sense of adventure. Read her blog at Grandma’s Coffee Soup.