First Reading (1 Cor 3:1-9).
Reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I could offer you only milk, not solid food, for you were not yet able to take it. Nor are you now able to receive solid food, since you are still fleshly. Do not the rivalries and quarrels among you show that you are fleshly and that you act according to natural impulses? When one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not acting as mere natural people? For what is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you came to faith, and each one serves his own purpose according to the gift he has received from God. I planted, Apollos watered, but God made the growth grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is truly important. The one who makes the crops grow is God. The one who plants and the one who waters are one, but each will receive his own wages in proportion to his work. For we are God’s fellow workers, and you are God’s field, God’s building.
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Luke 4:38-44).
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they appealed to Jesus on her behalf. Leaning over her, Jesus rebuked her, and the fever left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them. At sunset, all those who had sick people with various illnesses brought them to Jesus. Jesus laid his hands on each one of them and healed them. Demons also came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” Jesus rebuked them and would not let them speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. At daybreak, Jesus went out and went to a deserted place. The crowds sought him and tried to stop him from leaving them. But Jesus said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he preached in the synagogues of Judea.
— The Word of the Savior.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we are invited to reflect on two passages that, at first glance, may seem distinct, but when put together, reveal a profound truth about our Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Paul speaks to us about spiritual maturity and working together in God’s work, while in the Gospel of Luke 4:38-44, we see Jesus in action, healing the sick and preaching the Kingdom of God. Together, these readings offer us a clear vision of what it means to grow in faith and work in the Lord’s vineyard.
Writing to the community of Corinth, Paul expresses his frustration with the spiritual immaturity of the Christians there. He says, “I could not speak to you as to spiritual people, but as to people of the flesh, as to babes in Christ.” Paul compares immature Christians to babies who still need milk, unable to digest the solid food of deeper doctrine. This powerful image challenges us to look within ourselves and ask: Are we truly growing in our faith? Or are we stagnant, still struggling with the divisions and jealousies that mark a life centered on the flesh?
Imagine a plant that, despite being watered and cared for, does not grow. It remains small, unable to bear fruit. Paul uses the metaphor of agriculture to explain that in the Christian community, some plant, others water, but it is God who gives the growth. Just as a plant needs the right conditions to grow, we too need a conducive spiritual environment—an environment of prayer, sacraments, and fellowship—to mature in faith. Most importantly, we need to be open to the action of the Holy Spirit, who is the one who truly transforms our hearts and makes us grow.
Paul emphasizes that both the one who plants and the one who waters are nothing in themselves; what matters is God, who gives the growth. This is a lesson in humility. Often in our communities, we can be tempted to boast about our ministries, our contributions to the Church, or even our spirituality. But Paul reminds us that we are all servants, co-workers in the Lord’s vineyard, and that it is God who does the work in us and through us.
Moving on to the Gospel of Luke, we find Jesus in action. After leaving the synagogue, He goes to the home of Simon Peter, where He heals his mother-in-law who had a high fever. This seemingly simple healing is a powerful sign of Christ’s power and compassion. Jesus not only heals physical illnesses, but also cares about the whole person’s well-being. By raising Peter’s mother-in-law, He restores her to full life, enabling her to serve. Here we see the heart of Jesus’ ministry: not just to deliver us from evil, but to restore us so that we can live fully and serve the Kingdom of God.
The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law is followed by an even more impressive scene: when evening came, all those who had sick people with various illnesses brought them to Jesus. He laid His hands on each of them and healed them. This is a powerful image of Jesus as the Divine Physician, the one who cares not just for some, but for all who seek Him. He does not discriminate, He does not reject anyone. All are welcomed, all are healed. This passage challenges us to ask: are we taking our infirmities—physical, emotional, and spiritual—to Jesus? Or are we trying to carry our burdens alone?
Furthermore, we see that after an intense day of ministry, Jesus withdraws to a deserted place to pray. This is a clear example for us: even in the midst of activity, we need moments of silence and prayer, where we replenish ourselves in the presence of God. It is here that we find the strength and guidance to continue our journey.
Returning to the metaphor of agriculture used by Paul, we can see Jesus as the perfect gardener. He not only plants the seed of faith in our hearts, but also waters it with His love and care. However, He calls us to collaborate with Him, to become gardeners too, caring for one another, helping each other to grow in faith and holiness.
These two readings offer us a complete vision of the Christian life: on the one hand, we are called to grow, to mature in our faith, recognizing that all growth comes from God. On the other hand, we are called to be co-workers in God’s work, serving one another with love and humility, following the example of Christ.
But how can we apply these lessons to our daily lives? First, we must examine our spiritual lives. Are we truly seeking to grow in faith? Are we regularly nourishing ourselves with God’s Word, the sacraments, and prayer? Or are we still living in a carnal way, focused on ourselves and our own desires?
Second, we must reflect on our role in the community. Are we contributing to the growth of the Church, or are we causing division and jealousy? Let us remember that we are all co-workers in the Lord’s vineyard, and that the work we do is for God’s glory, not our own.
Finally, we must follow the example of Jesus in our ministry. He not only preached and taught, but also healed and served. He cared about people’s needs, and He was willing to spend His time and energy to meet them. We are called to do the same: to serve our brothers and sisters with love, to care for the sick, to comfort the afflicted, and to lead all to Christ, the Divine Physician.
As we conclude this reflection, let us ask God to give us the grace to grow in spiritual maturity, to be humble servants in His work, and to follow the example of Jesus in our daily lives. May we be instruments of His peace, love, and healing in the world, and may through our actions many come to know and experience God’s love. Amen.
