In the Gospel we see Jesus the Healer. He begins with the mother-in-law of Peter and Andrew who had a fever. As in many healings, the sick person is enabled to stand up, a word implying 'resurrection' and new life. And, once healed, she immediately begins to serve them, not because she is a woman but because that is the role of every follower of Jesus.

In the evening, with the Sabbath over, large numbers of sick come crowding round the door of the house (a symbol of the Church?) for healing of diseases and to be liberated from all kinds of evil forces.

And then we see where Jesus gets His power to do so much good. He leaves the crowds and goes off to a quiet place to be alone with His Father. And when Simon comes, "Everyone is looking for you", Jesus says they must go to other places. Jesus responds not to popular acclaim but to the cries of those most in need.

All of us can have some healing effect on other people who come into our lives. But that power can only be in proportion to our closeness to Jesus in prayer.