Tag: suffering

“Only say the word.” | Monday of the First Week of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 8:5-11)

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

We hear these words of the Roman centurion at every Mass when we say, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” The centurion, who understands the authority behind a command, demonstrates great faith in Jesus in trusting him to heal his servant with his word alone. “For I too am a man subject to authority,” he says, “with soldiers subject to me.” Amazed at his faith, Jesus states that he has not found such faith in all of Israel, emphasizing the inclusion of all in God’s Kingdom. The servant at home paralyzed, suffers dreadfully. In response to our prayers or the prayers of others, Christ comes under our roof to say the word and heal our souls.

God, in the mystery of suffering I often fail to see you or to find a way to see you. The story of the centurion is an example of why sight fails me at those times. Is it that when I look inward at my own suffering I fail to see the suffering of others? For the sake of his servant, the centurion sought out Jesus as he entered Capernaum, as if to suggest the centurion was keen for his arrival. To be certain, a handful of sufferings will come this day, taking my attention away from the needs of others close to me. Help me remember throughout the day that in praying that you free others from their suffering, you free me from the isolating paralysis of self-absorption. Heal me, Lord, from anything that would prevent me from seeing how badly others need you to come under their roof to save them.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Come and save us, LORD our God; Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” Lord, guard me today with your word and by it bring your healing presence.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Peter’s statement about giving up everything for the sake of following Jesus seems stark and absolute. By comparison, Jesus’ response overflows with the blessings that come from following him. The first reading from Sirach says that the Lord repays sevenfold, and Jesus multiplies this many times over by saying that those who give up things for his sake will receive a hundred times more now in this present age. Although persecution may come to those who follow him, Jesus says that they will be rewarded with eternal life.

God, help me understand that in the words “many that are first will be last, and the last will be first,” your Son invites me to a life of service. As high and deep as the list of sacrifices may be in following you, and as fearful as giving up everything for your sake can be, you assure me through the work of your Son that I will receive a hundredfold in return. Lord, I strive to understand the mystery of suffering for the sake of Christ and what it means for my life today and for the days to come. Give me the grace of abandonment to your divine will for the sake of the Gospel. Help me understand what a child knows very well: that you are the source of the beauty that draws me into your mystery.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.