+ We have two powerful readings today at the mass. In the
first reading today from a book rightly entitled “lamentations” – we hear the
tragic story of the deported and banished children of Israel: those who
insisted on having it their own way, who insisted on navigating their own
course, who insisted on being their own god. And the Lord God – the real one –
was forced to visit his wrath on them out of justice, out of fairness, but not
without countless and ceaseless exhortations and warnings.
It was heartbreaking to see
children fainting away due to lack of food and proper nourishment. God’s heart
was broken in seeing all this. “To what can I compare you?” God (the Father)
cries out, “what have you left me with to comfort you?” “great as the sea in
your downfall – who can heal you?” – you have tied my hands – and I am
overwrought with sorrow.
So many of the circumstances
of our day tie God’s hands, and he weeps incessantly as he watches us destroy
the wonderful balance in the world that he has so painstakingly ordered; he
sees the ravages of disharmony that blind-sighted, conscienceless,
self-seeking, self-agrandizing,
people inflict wherever they
go, whatever they touch.
“Cry out to the Lord: moan, O daughter Zion! Let your tears
flow like a torrent day and night: let there be no respite for you, no repose
for your eyes. And in this way, your prayer will be heard and God will send a
healer to you.
That healer is seen in the
flesh in the gospel passage: Jesus, is so ready to heal but the one requirement
is FAITH, without belief in Him as one from God, and as having the power to do
it, he can do nothing: his hands too are tied! Jesus is amazed at the
centurion’s faith – and understanding on how the whole intercessory process
works: and we have put forth the infamous words that are now restored to the mass
just before receiving the healing and forgiving Lord into our selves at Holy
Communion: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the
word and my servant will be healed.” And he was healed. And we are healed, we
are forgiven our venial sins, and we are refreshed and set free to live another
day in peaceful joy, helping others who need God’s help.
May we live this day in joyful
expectation of good things to come: because we have faith in the Crucified and
Risen One – who did it all for us – all of us!
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