By Orlando Hernandez

This Wednesday’s Gospel presents Luke’s version of the same events that were related in the Gospel of Mark (Mk 1: 29-34) for January 11 of this year. Both Gospels are very similar. In the Gospel of Luke (Lk 4: 38-44) it says:

“ 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.” (vv. 38-40)

It is interesting to notice that when Jesus is around, people are going out of their way to intercede for others, to serve others, and to bring others to Jesus. But Jesus is doing most of the heavy lifting. Jesus must have been healing people for most of the night, because the Gospel goes on to say :

“ 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.” (Lk 4: 42-44)

It is fascinating to see how hard Jesus was working at the beginning of His ministry. He could not even find a quiet place to recharge His batteries. But I believe that He was so energized with the Holy Spirit that He had the drive to go as far as dangerous Judea, and to heal souls again and again.
I remember a few years ago when I felt as if I was on fire with the love of God, and all I wanted to do was serve Him. I spent every day of the week going from one ministry to another. I wanted nothing more than to be consumed by this Love, and the sacrifices that it entailed.
I still feel that Love, but now I find myself more easily tired, doing a lot less. I am sorry, Lord! Then, two weeks ago, I was invited by my Emmaus friends in Miami to go and serve in their retreat this coming weekend. How could I say “No”? Working in this retreat involves preaching, cooking, serving, cleaning, and guiding of other human beings who are looking for God. It is grueling. But maybe this was what I needed. I bought my tickets and I have been preparing for it for two weeks now. I am ready to be consumed by the Fire.
Yet, in these Gospels, we see how our Lord received so many frustrations during His ministry. It is definitely true for all of us also.
Hurricane Irma might be heading straight for Miami this coming weekend. Maybe I won’t be able to make it. In this Gospel our Lord wanted to go to a deserted place. This weekend I wanted to go and serve Him. Well, God had other plans. It is in surrender to His will, and not in fulfillment of my wishes that I must search for the joy of His love. He is the one in charge. He loves me. He knows what is best for me. Thank You, Father, for whatever You give me.
Orlando Hernandez