The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on the power of compassion, solidarity, and prayer we have experienced on our journey.
The reading from the First Letter of Timothy presents instructions concerning Prayer.
* [2:1–7] This marked insistence that the liturgical prayer of the community concern itself with the needs of all, whether Christian or not, and especially of those in authority, may imply that a disposition existed at Ephesus to refuse prayer for pagans. In actuality, such prayer aids the community to achieve peaceful relationships with non-Christians (1 Tm 2:2) and contributes to salvation, since it derives its value from the presence within the community of Christ, who is the one and only savior of all (1 Tm 2:3–6). The vital apostolic mission to the Gentiles (1 Tm 2:7) reflects Christ’s purpose of universal salvation. 1 Tm 2:5 contains what may well have been a very primitive creed. Some interpreters have called it a Christian version of the Jewish shema: “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD alone…” (Dt 6:4–5). The assertion in 1 Tm 2:7, “I am speaking the truth, I am not lying,” reminds one of similar affirmations in Rom 9:1; 2 Cor 11:31; and Gal 1:20. (1 Timothy, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 28 is a prayer for Help and Thanksgiving for It.
* [Psalm 28] A lament asking that the psalmist, who has taken refuge in the Temple (Ps 28:2), not be punished with the wicked, who are headed inevitably toward destruction (Ps 28:1, 3–5). The statement of praise is exceptionally lengthy and vigorous (Ps 28:6–7). The Psalm ends with a prayer (Ps 28:8–9). (Psalms, PSALM 28 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant.
* [7:1–10] This story about the faith of the centurion, a Gentile who cherishes the Jewish nation (Lk 7:5), prepares for the story in Acts of the conversion by Peter of the Roman centurion Cornelius who is similarly described as one who is generous to the Jewish nation (Acts 10:2). See also Acts 10:34–35 in the speech of Peter: “God shows no partiality…whoever fears him and acts righteously is acceptable to him.” See also notes on Mt 8:5–13 and Jn 4:43–54.
* [7:2] A centurion: see note on Mt 8:5. (Luke, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
* [7:6] I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof: to enter the house of a Gentile was considered unclean for a Jew; cf. Acts 10:28.
Susan Naatz shares how these readings brought back powerful memories of how she was upheld and carried by prayer through a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment, many years ago. Prayers offered by family, friends, colleagues, and people she barely knew surrounded her struggling spirit.
The day of my surgery, I felt the familiar rise of intense fear and anxiety. I closed my eyes, took long, careful breaths and pictured my colleagues gathered in the soft glow of candlelight seated in a circle. I imagined myself praying alongside them and felt both their prayerful love and God’s compassion encircling me. I felt deep comfort and consolation. That moving meditation soothed my heavy heart and calmed my mind. I will never forget the peace that flooded through me. When the healthcare team began to prepare me for surgery, I was ready. I recovered from both the surgery and several months of chemotherapy and to this day, I remain in remission. My gratitude for the prayer I received has never ceased.
Since my own experience of prayerful solidarity, I have offered to do the same for others. I explain that I will be prayerfully with them as they go into surgery, face a family or personal crisis, deal with the death of a loved one or are diagnosed with a serious illness. Many have shared that it brings them great peace and they promise to do the same for others.
Let’s keep saying those precious words, I will pray for you, because God …who is our strength and our shield… is listening. (Naatz, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “The power of Divinity and the grace of humility,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"How great is the sign of divine humility, that the Lord of heaven by no means disdained to visit the centurion's servant! Faith is revealed in deeds, but humanity is more active in compassion. Surely he did not act this way because he could not cure in his absence, but in order to give you a form of humility for imitation he taught the need to defer to the small and the great alike. In another place he says to the ruler, 'Go, your son lives' (John 4:50), that you may know both the power of Divinity and the grace of humility. In that case he refused to go to the ruler's son, lest he seem to have had regard for riches. In this case he went himself lest he seem to have despised the humble rank of the centurion's servant. All of us, slave and free, are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11)." (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.84)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Timothy 2:1-8 comments that when we complain or focus on what is wrong in the world, we can create an air of negativity, not only in our own hearts, but all around us. Without even realizing it, we can bring down our friends, family, or coworkers. But when we pray for people instead, our hearts change. We become more loving, patient, and kind toward them. As a result, our demeanor can help dispel any negativity that we might have brought to the people around us.
So who should we be praying for? If you’re a student, pray for your parents or teachers. If you have a job, pray for your supervisor and the leadership of your company. Pray for the leaders of your town, state, and nation. You don’t have to agree with them on everything—or anything! But you can still pray that God’s blessing and goodness would be upon them. You can still pray that they fulfill God’s purposes for their lives and that they lead as he intended. By doing so, you’re helping to fulfill those purposes. And in the process, you’re softening your own heart.
“Lord, the next time I want to complain about someone, help me to remember to pray for them instead!” (Meditation on 1 Timothy 2:1-8, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the advice on prayer in 1 Timothy was offered during the reign of Nero or shortly after. The Centurion, a pagan probably not from Rome but from the Middle East, was a God fearer, sympathetic to Jewish ways. Friar Jude reminds us that those who are seeking God may be exercising a deeper faith than we express within our communities.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on how sitting with our own suffering allows us to extend compassion to others.
Each time I was recovering from cancer, I had to sit with my own broken absurdity as I’ve done with others at the jail or hospital or soup kitchen. The suffering person’s pain and poverty is visible and extroverted; mine is invisible and interior, yet just as real. The two sympathies and compassion connect and become one world. I think that’s why Jesus said we have to recognize Christ in the least of our brothers and sisters. It was for our redemption, our liberation, our healing—not merely to “help” others and put a check on our spiritual resume. Rather, when we see it over there, we’re freed in here, and become less judgmental. I can’t look down on a person receiving welfare when I realize I’m receiving God’s welfare. It all becomes one truth; the inner and the outer reflect one another. (Rohr, 2022)
When, like the sharing about today’s Scripture, we reflect on our experience of a serious health diagnosis and our response, we know the power of prayer, solidarity, and compassion in healing and peace.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/7?
Meditation on 1 Timothy 2:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/09/18/784800/
Naatz, S. (2023, September 18). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/091823.html
1 Timothy, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1timothy/2?1
Psalms, PSALM 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/28?2
Rohr, R. (2022, October 2). Mirrored Suffering Leads to Compassion. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/mirrored-suffering-leads-to-compassion-2023-09-18/
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