The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reflect on the blessings and glory we experience in our relationship with Christ as we attend to the prompting of the Spirit to reach out in healing and compassion to all people we encounter on our journey.
The reading from the Prophet Isaiah describes the Future Glory of the survivors in Zion as Jerusalem is purified.
* [4:2–6] Usually judged a later addition to the oracles of Isaiah. It relieves the threatening tone of the surrounding chaps. 3 and 5.
* [4:2] Branch: the term (Heb. semah) that is sometimes used of the ideal Davidic king of the future (cf. Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8; 6:12). However, the parallel “fruit of the land” does not favor that usage here.
* [4:3] Inscribed for life: in God’s list of the elect; cf. Ex 32:32. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)
Psalm 122 is a song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem.
* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus heals a Centurion’s Servant.
* [8:5] A centurion: a military officer commanding a hundred men. He was probably in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee; see note on Mt 14:1.
* [8:8–9] Acquainted by his position with the force of a command, the centurion expresses faith in the power of Jesus’ mere word.
* [8:10] In no one in Israel: there is good textual attestation (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus) for a reading identical with that of Lk 7:9, “not even in Israel.” But that seems to be due to a harmonization of Matthew with Luke. (Matthew, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)
Tom Quinn comments that Jesus was amazed at the faith and humility of this Roman officer. His faith surpassed that of many of the Jews. We can learn from this humility, respect for others and an understanding of the true source of authority. Jesus was able not only to heal the servant, but also demonstrated the destiny of Christianity as a faith based on love and open to all people.
We have supplanted in the Mass the words “and my servant will be healed” with “my soul [anima] will be healed.” We approach God with humility and faith as the centurion did. As we humbly and faithfully receive the eucharist, we not only will bring Jesus into ourselves, but in this way, our souls will be healed. (Quinn, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Welcoming the Lord Jesus with expectant faith and humility,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"When the Lord promised to go to the centurion's house to heal his servant, the centurion answered, 'Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.' By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come not merely into his house but also into his heart. He would not have said this with such great faith and humility if he had not already welcomed in his heart the One who came into his house. It would have been no great joy for the Lord Jesus to enter into his house and not to enter his heart. For the Master of humility both by word and example sat down also in the house of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon, and though he sat down in his house, there was no place in his heart. For in his heart the Son of Man could not lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). (excerpt from SERMON 62.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 8:5-11 comments that we believe in Jesus’ power and authority to heal, but sometimes our own misconceptions can act as obstacles as well. For example, we might think that miraculous healings don’t happen today or that only the prayers of saints can heal people. Or we might think that God won’t answer us when we pray for healing. Maybe we don’t ask for healing because we have become so resigned to the situation that we think nothing will ever change.
God wants to heal and wants to use us as instruments to heal other people. It’s that simple. So let’s clear away any misconceptions or assumptions that tempt us to question that reality. Keep believing and keep praying, and the Lord will praise your faith, just as he did for this Roman centurion.
“Jesus, I believe that you can heal. Help me to be ready and willing to pray for healing whenever I see a need.” (Meditation on Matthew 8:5-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler describes the blessings of God for the remnant of Israel to cleanse and protect them in the manner of the Israelites in the desert. In our difficult times of testing, God retains great plans and dignity for us. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus' interaction with the Centurion signifies the presence of other peoples at the Table, and underlines the responsibilities and expectations of those who have received more in spiritual gifts.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, encourages trust in the mystery of faith. Our faith also offers us a foundational belief that life is a succession of dyings and risings. At the center of the Eucharist, we proclaim, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.” [1] That is the saving pattern! It is not a mystery of faith; it is the mystery of faith. It will never change. But Western people, trained in the philosophy of progress and problem-solving, don’t really believe that anymore. We much more believe that we can overcome the paschal mystery. That we can create a family, a parish, a church, an institution, a country that will not have to go through the dying of things.
Jesus never told us to put our trust in the larger institutions of culture or even the church. That doesn’t mean they are bad or that we should abandon them, but we must recognize that they are also subject to the paschal mystery, the dying and the rising of all things. And I think we must be honest that we’re at the downside of the curve. All the indices suggest that we are at the end of the dominance of the United States, Western civilization, and even of Christianity. The question for us becomes: What will we do about it? (Rohr, n.d.)
We express gratitude for the life we know in Christ as we trust in Providence to guide our journey through the changes and challenges of our time.
References
Isaiah, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/4?2
Matthew, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/8?5
Meditation on Matthew 8:5-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/11/28/545091/
Psalms, PSALM 122. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122?1
Quinn, T. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112822.html
Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Future of Christianity. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/in-the-end-a-new-beginning-2022-11-28/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Many Will Sit at Table in the Kingdom of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=nov28
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