Daily Gospel Reflection

The Test of a Real Miracle

Welcome back to Radical and Relevant, where we're exploring the genius and the simplicity of each day's gospel and learning how to apply that genius and simplicity to our daily lives. Today's reading is from the Gospel of Mark chapter 6 verses 30 through 34. It's another episode of Jesus feeding thousands of people. The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest for a while. For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in a boat to a lonely place by themselves.

Hi, I'm Matthew Kelly. Welcome back to Radical and Relevant, where we're exploring the genius and the simplicity of the gospel, looking at each day's gospel and learning how to apply that genius and simplicity to our own lives by finding a word or phrase or an idea that God uses to speak to you today. Today's gospel is from the Gospel of Mark 1:29-39. We see Jesus visiting Simon's house with his sick mother-in-law. And immediately, Jesus left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she served them.

That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered together about the door, and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak because they knew him. And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him followed him. When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." And he said to them, "Let's go to the next towns that I may preach there also. For that is why I came." And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

The phrase that jumps out at me today is, "And she served them." So Jesus comes to visit. Simon's mother-in-law is sick. Jesus comes, he heals her, and her immediate response is a response of service. Very often, when God touches our life, that's part of the proof that it's an authentic thing, that it's real, is because our desire to serve other people, our desire to bring the joy that God has brought to us into other people's lives is tangible. It's immediate, it doesn't delay, and it's powerful. And that's this power of Jesus working in and through us. Throughout the Gospels, every day we hear about the power of Jesus. We see it very clearly here with Jesus healing people and casting out demons.

How do you need the power of Jesus to enter into your life today? And how is Jesus calling you to serve powerfully today? And do we understand the connection between him filling us with his power and our ability to go out and serve and serve powerfully and do it consistently for a long time? God bless you. Have a great day. And remember, do not, like the culture says, just be yourself. Be the very best version of yourself, all that God created you to be.