3 September, Wednesday — Learning from Simon’s mother-in-law

Sep 3 – Memorial for St. Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor           

St. Gregory (540-590) collected the melodies and plain chants so associated with him, that they are now known as Gregorian Chants. He was elected by unanimous acclamation for pope. Incidentally, he was also the first monk to be pope. Before his papacy, he turned his home into a Benedictine monastery, and used his money to build six monasteries in Sicily and one in Rome. He became a missionary to England upon seeing English children being sold in the Roman Forum.

• Patron Saint Index

Col 1:1-8
Lk 4:38–44

Leaning over her he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.

I am always intrigued, even slightly amused, to read about Simon’s mother-in-law, since it makes Simon more relatable. It reminds me that he had a family whom he had to care for, and makes me wonder how they reacted to him leaving to travel with an itinerant preacher whom he had just met (slight spoiler for the series The Chosen – I am glad that this was covered in the series, and saw it as an acknowledgement of the importance our loved ones play in our faith journeys). I am also intrigued to notice that, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law (Chapter 4) before He called Simon to follow Him (Chapter 5). This could show that the two men were already slightly familiar with each other, as well as better explain Simon’s immediate response that he was a sinful man and unworthy of Jesus’ call.

Going back to Simon’s mother-in-law, I am struck by how she got up “immediately” after recovering from her severe fever, to wait on her guests, instead of resting for at least a while more (which is what I would have preferred). Perhaps it was an example of the cultural emphasis on hospitality, but perhaps it was also a reflection of how we are called to orient all that we do on love and service — including ensuring we care for ourselves, so that we can continue to care for others. Her approach is mirrored by Jesus in the second half of the Gospel passage, where he made time for Himself to go to “a deserted place” for prayer, to renew and recharge and realign Himself to His Father’s will, before returning to his duties of preaching.

The past year has been a difficult one because my elderly parents encountered several health scares, which have required me, as an only child, to take on more caregiving responsibilities. I am grateful for the blessings (expected and unexpected) I have received in terms of guidance and support from my family, friends and colleagues, and I do not want to take anything for granted. But the challenges are numerous and continuous, and will require more sacrifices as time goes on. I can only pray that I can strengthen my trust in our Father’s love, His presence and plans, to persevere in asking Jesus for help to carry my crosses (instead of relying only on myself), and to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to find a balance between my commitments, so that I can continue to serve my loved ones while finding chances for my own ‘deserted places’.          

(Today’s OXYGEN by Jaclyn Lam)

Prayer: Lord, guide me to keep walking toward You, even when I stumble. Help me to realise the graces You want to bestow on me in every situation, whether good or bad. Grant me patience and courage and help me to trust that You are working, little by little, to help me transform into the person You want me to be. Help me to let go and to let God.

Thanksgiving: Jesus, thank you for always being present in my boat amidst the storms of life. Thank you for showing me how You care and how You know exactly where I am. Thank you for reaching out to me, even when I am not aware of nor even open to Your words.