Today's Gospel in Art - Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever

Christ Healing the Mother of Simon Peter's Wife, by John Bridges, 1839 © Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama

Gospel of 4th September 2019 - Luke 4: 38-44

Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.

At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. Devils too came out of many people, howling, 'You are the Son of God.' But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.

When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, 'I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.' And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.

Reflection on the Painting

Today we hear the story of Simon's mother-in-law who was sick with a great fever. Jesus commanded the sickness to leave and the sickness was healed so quickly that she was able to immediately resume household duties such as serving food to the guests. She went straight back to her ordinary, humble tasks after being healed. In the ancient world, fever was treated as a distinct illness and not just considered to be the symptom of various illnesses... To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/163

Tags: Christian Art Today, Patrick van der Vorst, John Bridges