Paul addressed his letter to the community in Corinth to those being sanctified in Christ Jesus - called to be saints. In Paul's view, we are all called to sanctity. Our holiness is not our own but a gift of transformation that Jesus gives us through the Spirit. Mother Teresa used to say that holiness is not a luxury of a few but the duty of all. Indeed, Christians cooperate with the Spirit and with Paul rejoice that God is faithful and that they are not lacking in any spiritual gift.

The healings that Jesus performed at Simon's house were dramatic. Jesus was busy from morning until night - he must have been exhausted. People were desperate and his healing presence had given them great hope. It must have been tempting for him to stay there and tend to their needs. After careful prayer and reflection, he told the excited disciples that they all had to keep moving. He had come to preach the good news to all the towns and villages and he had to remain focused on his mission. He was in danger of being sidetracked by the pain of others from obeying the will of God. Often our choice is not between good and evil but between good and better. That is a lot more difficult! We need to tend to the needs of others, but let us always consider the greatest good for the most people. Sometimes God calls us onward even when we would like to stay.