Scripture:
Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19
Matthew 8:5-17
Reflection:
"He took away our infirmities and bore our diseases."
In today’s Gospel, Jesus encounters a centurion who asks Jesus to come and heal one of his servants. This soldier, in command of other soldier’s below him understands what it means to be in a position of authority, but also what it means to be subject to authority. He humbly tells Jesus that he is not worthy to have Jesus enter his house. Moved by this soldier’s strong faith, Jesus heals the servant. After this event, many were brought to Jesus to be healed.
How many times have we prayed, even begged, asking Jesus to heal or cure a loved one? I know I’ve done it too often. What about the stories we hear of people who have been miraculously cured of an illness? Is that not Jesus present in our lives? How else does Jesus heal us? It does not have to be a physical illness. Even just having a good day where everything seems to fall into place, everything works the way it is supposed to and all is good. Is that not a form of healing?
The next time something goes right in our lives; maybe it’s a project we’ve been working on, or you just have a really good day and are in a great mood, pause for a moment and say thank you, Jesus, for that little bit of healing.
Claire Smith is on staff at the Holy Cross Province Development Office in Chicago, Illinois.