Col 1:1-8 / Luke 4:38-44
Physical ailment, in whatever forms and in whatever degree of gravity, is something that we will have to face in life.
And as if that is already not bad enough, we also have to be on the watch for the dangers that wicked people would try to inflict upon us.
Yes, life can be terribly stressful and anxious when we come to the bends and the corners of life.
So when Jesus came about healing diseases and casting out evil, as we heard in the gospel, the people immediately saw in Him the long-awaited Saviour.
Surely we can understand their excitement over the appearance of the Saviour, and at the same time we can also understand their desire to be in possession of the Saviour.
After all, who would want to let go of someone who can heal their sickness and protect them from evil.
Yet in moving on to other towns to preach the Good News, Jesus also left them a teaching on faith and hope.
More than what they can get from Jesus, they must have faith in Him so that even when He was no longer with them, they will still have the hope of God's promise of salvation.
It is the same faith that St. Paul talked about in the 1st reading that led the Colossians to show love towards all because it was a love driven by the hope that is stored up for them in heaven.
May we also have that faith in the saving love of Jesus for us so that we will continue to live our lives in hope of the blessings that God has promised us in Jesus Christ.