Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

In today’s gospel passage, Luke summarizes Jesus’ public ministry: he taught in their synagogues, healed many, and undergirded this with prayer. Jesus surely impressed the people in Capernaum with his healing. They went looking for him the next day and found him lost in prayer. He was dependent on the Father and the Spirit to accomplish his mission. Note: if this was true for him, how much more for us.

Unlike Nazareth, however, in Capernaum they wanted to keep him for themselves. Why? Frankly, it was because he was quite the doctor. In other words, they were distracted by the miracles. They didn’t really know who Jesus was – they just liked what he could do for them. So Jesus said to them, “I must preach [literally, proclaim good news of] the kingdom of God to other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.”

Jesus knew that more needed to hear the message of the kingdom. He had much work to do before the consummation of his sacrifice out of love for all of humanity. And so, he moved on. The message of Jesus is for the whole world. To this day, Jesus has left his disciples to continue his work. All who are baptized, all who celebrate Eucharist, are called to discipleship and must take up the work of healing and teaching in his name.

The importance of prayer is also stressed in this passage. It should be essential for us as disciples of Father Eymard, where we commit ourselves to pray with Jesus who remains with us in the Eucharist. Our prayer is not simply to feel good that Jesus has remained with us, but to realize that he wants us to imitate him in proclaiming the good news to the world.

Do I hear the challenge of Christ?

Let Us Pray:

Lord Jesus, I come before you like one in the crowd in need of healing. Help me also listen to your call to follow you as a disciple, preaching the kingdom, and doing everything in your name.