“At Even ere the sun was set”

Peter’s Wife’s Mother. General healing.

(The Gospel History, Section 31)

And at even, when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he laid his hands upon every one of them that were sick, and healed them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases. And he cast out the spirits with a word, and they came forth from many, crying out and saying, Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them, he suffered them not to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

“At Even ere the sun was set”

(The Saviour of the World, Vol II Book I Poem VII)

There came that day from heaven a Shining One,
The angel of the Presence men call Hope;
He bent o’er beds where men had languished long,
Where little children suffered, women moaned:
And, as these heard what Christ had done that day,—
Of Simon’s mother and that demoniac,
And as friends promised to take each to Christ,
Why, what a Sabbath of the Suffering, that!
But not till even might be carried forth
These many ailing: Sabbath must be kept;
And through the long tense hours they watch and wait:
Behold, the sun is setting! Forth they go
From many a door, the sick and they that bare,
Piteous procession, all elate with hope!
Round Simon’s door each group laid down their sick
To wait till He came forth; and all the folk
Gathered there, too, to wait, made way for these
With words and looks of pity—such a sight!
Now He came out, and saw, and suffered all;
Himself took our infirmities, ’twas said,
And by His stripes we’re healed: Isaiah’s words.
Divers diseases gathered at the door,
And they possessed of evil spirits; all
Drained His divine compassion, drank His life;
On every one of them He laid His hands,
And all were healéd by that Sacrament,
His touch upon them. Reckless spirits, too,
Were cast out with a word, nor let to say
They knew Him, Son of God. With authority,
He drave out all the harms that hurt the flesh,
Ills worse that hurt the spirit; and men knew
“He maketh whole, the Healer of mankind!”
Quick reaped Capernaum reward of faith;
In the morn knew she Authority was His,
And lo, at eve, her sick folk all restored!
His wages tarry not, Who hireth us!”

St. Mark i. 32-34;
St. Luke iv. 38, 39;
St. Matthew viii. 14, 15