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The Power of His Word
After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they
interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the
fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.
Luke 4:38–39
In today’s Gospel, we encounter the first mention of Simon—whose
name Jesus would later change to Peter—in Luke’s account. Simon was
likely present in the synagogue and witnessed Jesus cast out a
demon from a possessed man. With a simple command, “Be quiet! Come
out of him!”, Jesus revealed His divine authority. The people were
astonished and exclaimed, “What is there about his word? For with
authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come
out” (Luke 4:35–36).
Having seen His authority firsthand, Simon presumably spoke to
Jesus about his mother-in-law, who was suffering from a severe
fever. It is striking to imagine the moment of Simon’s first
personal encounter with the Lord. Though Jesus, in His divine
foresight, knew what Simon would one day become—the first pope
entrusted with the spiritual authority of Heaven—Simon himself
could not have foreseen how radically his life was about to
change.
Upon entering Simon’s home, Jesus rebuked the fever. The Greek word
used here, epitimaō, is the same word used in the previous
passage when Jesus rebuked the demon. This deliberate parallel
reveals that both the spiritual and physical realms are subject to
Jesus’ command. What He rebuked were real evils and disorders:
demonic possession as a violation of the soul and the fever as a
natural affliction of the body.
Later in this Gospel passage, Jesus continues healing many who are
sick and casting out demons. Once again, He rebukes the demons,
silencing them and forbidding them to speak. Though they cry out,
“You are the Son of God,” Jesus does not permit them to bear
witness to Him. He has no need of demons to proclaim His identity.
His revelation will come in His time, by His own design, especially
through the Cross and Resurrection.
Jesus’ rebukes, whether uttered by a word, expressed through a
gesture, or conveyed by His mere presence, are divine actions
against evil. They are not expressions of wishful hope, but
authoritative, efficacious commands. What He speaks comes to be.
His word is not just powerful; it accomplishes what it
declares.
Understanding this is foundational to our life of faith and our
spiritual journey. When we turn to Christ with trust, we must
believe that His word has the power to heal, to free, and to
transform. He does not speak in vain. His authority extends to
every dimension of our lives, body, soul, and spirit, and He
desires to restore all that has been wounded by sin, suffering, or
disorder.
One of the most tangible and powerful ways this takes place today
is through the words of absolution spoken by the priest in the
Sacrament of Reconciliation, a spiritual authority first given to
Simon Peter and passed down through apostolic succession. The words
of absolution are Christ’s words, words that rebuke sin and its
effects, restoring the soul to grace and peace. They are divine
actions that accomplish what they signify.
Though the words of absolution may be the clearest example, every
Sacrament—Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Anointing of the
Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony—conveys God’s grace and power
through the efficacious word and action of Christ.
Reflect today on your own trust in the power of Jesus’ word. Do you
believe He can rebuke the disorders in your life with divine
authority? Do you turn to Him with confidence in the Sacraments,
knowing that what He speaks, He accomplishes? Surrender all that
afflicts you to the power of His Word, and allow Him to restore you
to grace, relying especially on the sacramental authority given to
Simon Peter and exercised by the priests who have followed
after.
My authoritative Lord, when You speak, what You speak comes to
be. Speak to me, Lord. Rebuke my sin and weakness, so that Your
holy will may be accomplished in my life. Let me hear Your voice,
especially in the Sacraments through which Your mercy is poured
forth and Your power is made manifest. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Christ Healing the Mother of Simon Peter’s Wife, by John
Bridges
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