Wednesday, Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time, Year C
First Reading: Colossians 1:1-8
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the holy ones and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae: grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the holy ones because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. Of this you have already heard through the word of truth, the Gospel, that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so also among you, from the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow slave, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Reflection: Paul, with Timothy, greets the Colossians, praising their faith, love, and hope rooted in the Gospel. This hope, reserved in heaven, inspires their love for all believers. The Gospel’s truth, spread by Epaphras, bears fruit globally and among them, reflecting God’s grace. Paul’s thanksgiving encourages steadfast faith, mirroring Saint Gregory’s legacy of spreading the Gospel.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 52:10, 11
Reflection: The psalmist, like a thriving olive tree, trusts in God’s enduring mercy. This trust leads to perpetual thanksgiving and proclamation of God’s goodness before the faithful. Rooted in divine mercy, believers are called to flourish in God’s house, reflecting steadfast faith and gratitude, as exemplified by Saint Gregory’s devotion.
Alleluia: Luke 4:18
Reflection: Jesus’ mission, anointed by the Spirit, is to bring good news to the poor and liberty to captives. This verse echoes His healing ministry in the Gospel, calling believers to embrace His liberating message, reflecting God’s compassion and freedom, as Saint Gregory did through his pastoral and missionary work.
Gospel: 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 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.
Reflection: Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law and many others, revealing His divine authority as the Son of God. Despite demons’ recognition, He silences them, focusing on His mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Leaving the crowds, He preaches in Judea, driven by His purpose, inspiring believers to share the Gospel, like Saint Gregory.
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