In today's passage, Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and, at sunset, many sick and possessed people, continuing his journey to announce the Good News of the Kingdom.
The Poverello of Assisi, among the many gifts received from on high, had that of preferring the proclamation of the Gospel, so that all might enjoy the encounter with Christ the Saviour.
In fact we read in the Sources, in the Vita Prima of Celano:
"In the midst of the despondency into which the doctrine of the Gospel had fallen, not in particular but in general, the Providence of God sent this man into the world, so that, like the apostles, he might be a witness to the truth before all men.
And truly he showed clearly, by word and example, how foolish earthly wisdom was, and in short, under the guidance of Christ, he led men, through the foolishness of preaching, to authentic divine Wisdom.
Thanks to this close union with Christ, he performed many healings of those who had recourse to him.
In fact: "A woman, infirm for many years and completely immobilised in her bed, as soon as she had made a vow to God and to blessed Francis, rose again healed and able to attend to all her occupations.
In the city of Narni there lived a woman who for eight years had had a withered hand that was completely useless. One day the blessed Father appeared to her and, touching her ailing hand, made it fit for work like the other" (FF 558).
Thus the Lord worked wonders of all kinds through his servant Francis.
"To the other cities also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, for I was sent for this" (Lk 4:43).
Wednesday of the 22nd wk. in O.T. (Lk 4:38-44)
