Departure from the Synagogue and the Good deeds

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Lk 4:38-44*

*First Reading :  - Col 1:1-8*

*Departure from the Synagogue and the Good deeds*

*1) The synagogue and the departure from the Synagogue*

The first sentence of today's Gospel speaks about the departure of Jesus from the synagogue

Synagogue is a place of worship, where Jesus had come to pray and to read the scriptures

Synagogue also a place to spend time with God and to have divine experience

After having read the scriptures, and spending sufficient time with the Father, Jesus is now ready to leave the synagogue for further mission

*2) Healing ministry of Jesus*

After Jesus left the synagogue, he goes directly into Simon's house where he cures the mother in law of Simon, who was suffering from fever 

 Then he spent whole day in healing ministry, where many people came to him and he healed them all 

*3) Synagogue and the Healing ministry*

There is a close connection between these two 

The strength for the healing ministry comes from the synagogue 

The strength for serving the people comes from the synagogue 

So there is a close connection between the what is happening in synagogue and the ministry thereafter in the surroundings

*4) Synagogue - in my context*

There are many places where synagogue experience can be experienced 

The holy places like churches, pilgrim centres, prayer halls, the altar at home and the gatherings where people come to pray 

These places give us divine experience to do our mission 

*5) Where do I go from the Holy place?*

All of us come to Sunday services. What happens afterwords,? 

All of us attend the novenas, retreats, praying rosaries and other spiritual exercises. What happens afterwards? 

Is there any connection between the holy places and my daily life and activities? 

*6) Holy places and Lived life*

A person who spends time in spiritual things, should also experience it's effects I the service to the mankind 

We may be good in praying and spending time synagogues but when we come out from the synagogue, we may ignore all the necessary and urgent things and may give importance to other things

Is there a hypocrisy in my life, in this regard? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*