Best Practices and Homily Resources for Catholic Priests (2024)

Luke 4:38-44

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Psalm 33:12-13, 14-15, 20-21

Luke 4:38-44

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.

Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,

and they interceded with him about her.

He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.

She got up immediately and waited on them.

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases

brought them to him.

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 he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak

because they knew that he was the Christ.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.

The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,

they tried to prevent him from leaving them.

But he said to them, “To the other towns also

I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,

because for this purpose I have been sent.”

And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Opening Prayer:Lord God, you are the source of life and have the power to heal me. When I am physically sick, help me to accept suffering and offer it up in union with your Son. When I am spiritually sick, bring me to repentance and reconciliation with you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Ministry of Simon’s Mother-in-law:Simon Peter’s house in Capernaum became Jesus’ home base for his ministry in Galilee. After preaching and teaching in the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon’s house and cured Simon’s mother-in-law. Considering that Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee lasted about three years, we can assume that Simon’s mother-in-law prepared many meals and served Jesus, her son-in-law, and Jesus’ other disciples. We do not know her name, nor do the Gospels record any of her words. It appears, though, that she didn’t complain that she was left alone to do the serving like Martha of Bethany did. Unlike Martha, Peter’s mother-in-law wasn’t anxious about many things. She simply served and was happy to do this for her son and his son’s Teacher. She expressed her gratitude to God through loving service.How am I serving Jesus and his disciples? How do I express my gratitude to God?

2. The Simple Path:The story of Simon’s mother-in-law brings to mind the simple path of Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta: the fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace. Jesus and his disciples encountered peace in the home of Simon’s mother-in-law, a peace that was the fruit of her quiet prayer, simple faith, and loving service. The Gospel tells us that Jesus’ mission extended beyond Capernaum and that he went to the other towns of Galilee to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. He came into the world for this: to preach the Good News of salvation to the people of Galilee and Judah, to gather the lost tribes of the house of Israel, and to gather all nations to himself through the Cross and Resurrection.How can I practice the simple path that leads from silence to peace?

3. Growing and Working:In the First Reading, Paul teaches us that we belong to Christ. We are to grow, through Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit, in our knowledge of God. Some of us need milk, others are ready for solid food. Our spiritual life moves from the milk of purification from sin to the solid food of union with God. Like Jesus, we are nourished by doing the will of our heavenly Father. During our journey to God, we are continually being purified and enlightened by God, but ultimately our goal is union with the Father and sharing in the Wisdom of the Word and the Love of the Holy Spirit. In God’s vineyard, some of us are called to plant, others to water the plants and care for them. We are not the cause of the growth of God’s vineyard or his Kingdom. We are only collaborators and co-workers of God. We are God’s field, where the seed of the Word of the Kingdom is planted. Both wheat and weeds will grow side-by-side in God’s field until the end of time, when the wheat is gathered into God’s house and the weeds are burned. Paul also says that we are part of God’s building or spiritual house. Jesus is the cornerstone of this building; the Apostles are the foundation; we are living stones. Through our Baptism, we belong to Christ and work in his vineyard; through this same Sacrament, we become Temples of the Holy Spirit.Am I a spiritual novice who needs milk or am I ready for the solid food of union with God?

Conversing with Christ:Lord Jesus, I accept my role as your co-worker. Teach me the simple path of silence, prayer, love, service, and peace. I want to serve my brothers and sisters and be the servant of all.

Living the Word of God: We pray that today we may live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the Spirit’s gifts. Which gift do I need the most: fear of the Lord, piety, fortitude, knowledge, understanding, counsel, wisdom?

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