During a recent visit to a supermarket, I saw a teenage girl accompanied by her mother. The child was making loud hooting sounds and the mother was unable to control her behaviour. While most shoppers were alarmed by her, I felt compassion on seeing her and whispered a prayer for healing. I visualised Jesus placing his hand over her and releasing her from this disturbance. I was not brave enough to walk over to the mother and ask if I could pray for her daughter, as I was conscious of the shoppers around me. Today’s Gospel proclamation is a revelation of Jesus’ relationship with his Father, and his power to heal. He was not led by the desires of the flesh or worldly norms but by what the Father wanted him to do. He acted through love, compassion and a desire to heal and transform lives. What is our motivation to walk with the Lord? Is it driven by the desires of the flesh and social norms or by spiritual motivations? What could lead me to do the same works as Jesus did?

PRAYER: Abba Father, empower me to have a deeper faith that will motivate me to do your will. Amen.