22nd Week in OT 2020 - Wedneday - Welcoming Jesus into your home

Yesterday, we heard how the first thing Jesus does upon coming to Capernaum for the first time, in that first stage of his public ministry, he goes to a synagogue and casts out a demon. And so I reflected upon how the Lord desires to use us for that same purpose, of praying for those we come across throughout the day, praying for their deliverance of any demons or any evil they might be wrestling with in their lives. Also, I spoke of the need to place blessed and holy objects in your own home, to protect it from evil—holy objects, like crucifixes and images of our lady, to remind you to avoid evil. 

Today, we hear how after casting out the demon, the Lord makes his way to the home of St. Peter’s mother in law. Jesus enters a home—he enters many homes throughout his ministry. Again, one of the reason it is good to have those holy images and objects in our homes, is to have those constant reminders that we need to welcome Jesus into our homes. His presence should be felt there, by those who visit, in the way that we act and the way that we speak in our homes. 

When the Lord enters the home of Peter’s mother-in-law, he immediately brings healing and peace. So, too, when the Lord is a resident in our home through faith, the home is transformed. Constant arguments between family members, homes devoid of family prayer, are sure signs that Jesus needs to be welcomed more deeply into the home. For a Christian home is to be a refuge from the chaos and evil out in the world. 

The Lord later speaks of the home built upon the solid rock foundations of his teaching—it is able to withstand the winds of chaos and the calamities. 

Jesus would use the home of St. Peter’s mother-in-law as his headquarters, no doubt planning his ministry, his sermons, his visits. So too, the holy Christian home becomes a center for evangelization, where the members of the family plan together how they, as a family, will spread the word of God out in the world. They will pray together, study God’s word together, in order to be guided, inspired, and emboldened. 

The Lord stands at the door and knocks at the doors of many homes, but many in our culture, many swept up in worldliness, refuse him entry. So let us make homes for him and invite others to do the same, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

That Christian families may pray together, study the word of God together, and encourage one another to grow in virtue and holiness. 

For an end to indifference to God and human dignity in our government and educational institutions, businesses, and personal attitudes.

During this month of September, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, we pray for all those who grieve, and that we may grieve sufficiently for our sins.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.