Scripture:
Reflection:
We read about several models of faith in the scripture readings today. In Genesis we hear the familiar story of Abraham and Sarah entertaining three visitors who in turn announce to this faithful couple that they will become parents in the coming year! While this was long-awaited news for Abraham and Sarah (especially Sarah), it also left them a bit perplexed. They had wanted a child for so long but at this point they were old and unsure of how this was going to come about. At the same time, they took this wonderful news in faith and trust that God was in charge.
The responsorial response, Mary’s Magnificat, her fiat her saying Yes to Jesus in faith, invites us follow Mary’s example and give our total self over to God’s will for us.
The gospel story offers two accounts of healing by Jesus. One healing request came from a Roman centurion whose servant lay paralyzed and suffering dreadfully. Jesus was so moved by this man’s faith that he healed the servant on the spot. Afterward he went to the house of Simon Peter where his mother-in-law lay on her sick bed in a feverish state. Here again because of her faith and that of Simon Peter, Jesus did not hesitate to heal the woman.
We are people of faith who believe in and trust Jesus’ love and care for us. Our faith is a precious gift we often take for granted. It needs to be nourished to enable us to grow in holiness with God and each other. Let us strive to emulate the people of faith from our scriptures today, Abraham, Sarah, the Centurion, and Peter’s mother-in-law. In this way Jesus may bless us as he did the centurion in these words;
“Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
“You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.”
Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.