In today’s Gospel, we find a powerful snapshot of the Christian life. Jesus enters a home filled with worry. Peter’s mother-in-law is sick, burning with fever. Without hesitation, without conditions, Jesus goes to her, rebukes the fever, and heals her. Her response is immediate and beautiful: she gets up and serves them.
Christ Backs His Words with Compassion
In this one moment, we see the entire mission of Christ: to teach, to heal, and to pray. He had just been teaching in the synagogue with authority. Now, he demonstrates that his words are backed by compassionate action. And later, he will withdraw to a lonely place to pray, showing us that his power flows from intimacy with the Father.
But there’s another crucial detail. The healing didn’t start with Jesus alone. It started with the friends. They saw the need and brought it to him. “Lord, she is sick. Please, help.” Their intercession was the bridge that allowed grace to flow into that home.
This is the very pattern of life we celebrate in today’s saint, Pope St. Gregory the Great.
- He was a teacher, explaining the faith with such clarity that he is known as a Doctor of the Church.
- He was a healer, tirelessly serving the poor and sending missionaries to spread Christ’s mercy.
- And above all, he was a man of prayer, knowing that all true mission must be rooted in conversation with God.
Love Is Lived Out in the Family
He famously said, “The proof of love is in the works.” And this mission of teaching, healing, and praying is not just for popes or priests. It is the calling of every Christian by virtue of our baptism. It is lived out most powerfully in our families.
- We teach our children what faith looks like by how we forgive, how we love, and how we prioritize our time.
- We heal each other’s wounds with patience, kindness, and a willingness to say “I’m sorry.”
- We pray for one another. This is our greatest act of love. When your child is nervous, your spouse is stressed, or a friend is lost, you can be the bridge. You can bring them to Jesus in prayer and say, “Lord, the one I love is hurting. Please, come and help.”
My friends, holiness is not a distant ideal. It is the daily work of making our homes places where Christ’s teaching, healing, and prayer become real.
- Today’s Readings
- Father Pinto's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
.jpg "Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C.")