In today’s reading, Jesus calls his disciples, as he continues teaching and proclaiming God’s nearness. Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ healing work—of all diseases of body and mind. For this reason, great crowds began to follow him. We are living in a time of great reliance on those whose work is healing, especially those in the medical professions and first responders. (Take a moment to click on the link about today’s painting, which belongs to Pennsylvania Hospital.) There is also, and will continue to be, great need for healing in mind and spirit—and in society. How can you, and all of us together, be part of that healing, beginning now?
Christ Healing in the Temple
Benjamin West (1815)
Oil on Canvas
The Holy Gospel Matthew 4:18-25
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.