Kingdom of God – Reflection on Luke 4:38-44
When we uniquely proclaim that the Good News of the Kingdom of God is not a distant event, we are helping Jesus move from city to city. Others need to understand the Kingdom of God is an ongoing arrival in the here and now. The Holy Spirit fills us with courage and faith to believe that Jesus is in the Kingdom and that He is also within us. This must mean we are already members of the Kingdom of God. Our hearts tell us that the Kingdome can become visibly woven within the fabric of our lives. We have seen that Jesus can and does introduce us to the Father to witness in actions, words, and prayer. Reading and praying with God’s word informs us and clarifies how God works within and without. Being “sent for this purpose” through forgiveness, love, and gifts designed to help others is perhaps the best way to demonstrate the Kingdom of God within.
The Healing of Peters’s Mother in law by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 4:38-44 – Scripture*
Healings at Simon’s House
38 After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. 39 Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.
40 As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. 41 Demons also came out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.
Jesus Preaches in the Synagogues
42 At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. 43 But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 4:38-44 Reflection – Kingdom of God.
Would you like to contribute thoughts related to these Lectio reflections of the Gospel readings or other contemplative material to this web-based ministry? Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 4 Bible passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Kingdom of God
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.