Yesterday, we heard about Jesus healing
a man possessed by an unclean spirit in the synagogue. Today, we hear about Jesus healing the
mother-in-law of Simon Peter upon leaving the synagogue, as she was sick with a
fever. What I love about this story is
that in response to her healing, the mother-in-law immediately waits on Jesus
and the other disciples. They don’t even
give the poor woman time to rest!
God inspires us to service. We see how the word of God inspired so many
of the missionaries of the Church to spread this word throughout the world and
to serve him in so many different ways.
Today is the feast day of St Arnold Jansen, a parish priest from Germany
who endured the persecutions of the Catholic Church under Otto von Bismarck, the
leader of that country. Jansen fled to
Holland, where he proposed sending Germany priests all over the world as
missionaries, which eventually led to the founding of the Society of the Divine
Word missionaries. This order of priests
was approved by the Vatican in 1901, and shortly thereafter they came to the
United States, where they founded many parishes serving the African American
community in our state of Mississippi. Priests
from that order still serve in our diocese in towns such as Jackson, Indianola,
Vicksburg, Greenville, Shaw, and Shelby.
Father Gus who served the Hispanic community here in Tupelo is also a
member of this same religious order. The
story of St Arnold Jensen and the founding of the Society of the Divine Word
shows us that even in the face persecution, we can find ways to spread God’s
word and keep it alive and vital.
May the enthusiasm and vigor of Arnold
Jansen and the other missionaries of our faith help serve as an inspiration to
us all to bring the healing power of Christ’s Good News to others. May God’s Holy Word continue to inspire us
and motivate us in our lives.
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