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Gospel Reading for September 02, 2026 – Luke 4: 38-44
LUXURY
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.
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By sunset, most of us are already heading home from work or settling down after a long and tiring day. We look forward to rest—a relaxing evening, a good meal with our family, perhaps a soothing massage, or simply preparing for a good night’s sleep.
But Jesus did not have this kind of LUXURY.
Even at sunset, crowds continued to bring him the sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and he patiently ministered to each one of them. We should never think that because Jesus is the Son of God, he did not experience exhaustion. He is fully God, but he is also fully human. He surely became tired.
We remember the woman who had suffered from hemorrhages for twelve years. She touched the hem of Jesus’ garment in faith, hoping to be healed, and Jesus immediately sensed that power had gone out from him (Mark 5:25–34). His ministry demanded not only his time and compassion, but even his physical strength.
Yet despite his exhausting days, Jesus always made time to withdraw to a deserted place and pray. There, in the silence, he communed with the Father. Prayer was the source of his strength, the place where he remained focused on his mission, and where he was spiritually renewed to begin each new day.
What a beautiful lesson for us, especially for those whose lives are constantly busy and filled with responsibilities. We, too, need to set aside time to pray and reconnect with the Father. Otherwise, the busyness of life can easily distract us from our true mission as Christians. Through prayer, our faith is strengthened, our hearts are renewed, and we receive the courage to live out the teachings of Jesus faithfully each day.
Lord Jesus, teach us to pray as you prayed. May prayer become an essential and inseparable part of our daily lives, so that we may always remain close to the Father and faithful to the mission you have entrusted to us. Amen.
