Wednesday of the First week in Ordinary Time
Commentary of the day
Saint Peter Chrysologus (c.406-450), Bishop of Ravenna, Doctor of the Church
Sermon 18, 1-3 ; CCL 24,107-108 (trans. ©Friends of Henry Ashworth)
"Jesus approached and grasped her hand"
Those who have listened attentively to today's gospel will have learnt why the Lord of heaven, by whom all creation was renewed, entered the house of his servant on earth. Nor should it surprise us that he so courteously adapted himself to every situation, since his motive in coming among us was to bring mercy and help to all. “As soon as Jesus crossed the threshold, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying ill in bed with a fever” (Mt 8,14). You can easily see what drew Christ to Peter's house on this particular occasion; it was no desire to sit down and rest himself, but compassion for a woman stricken down by sickness. He was prompted not by the need to eat but by the opportunity to heal, his immediate preoccupation being the performance of a work which only his divine power could carry out, rather than the enjoyment of human company at table. In Peter's house that day it was not wine that flowed, but tears…
Consequently Christ did not enter to obtain sustenance for himself, but to restore vitality to another. God wants human beings, not human goods. He desires to bestow what is heavenly not to acquire anything earthly. Christ came to seek not our possessions but ourselves.