GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 25TH JUNE 2016
SATURDAY OF THE 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
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1ST READING: LAMENTATIONS 2:2, 10-14, 18-19
PSALM: Psalm 74:1-7, 20-21
GOSPEL: Matthew 8:5-17
THEME: HE TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND BORE OUR DISEASES
Humanity is broken in many ways. Some are broken physically and others spiritually. There are some too who, emotionally and psychologically, have been torn into shreds. Consequently, the search for healing is a universal one. Each one of us, either consciously or unconsciously, seek for healing in one way or the other in our interactions with people. Unfortunately, in pursuit of healing, many fall into the wrong hands and the brokenness aggravates. Jesus offers himself to us as the master healer, one that we can rely on.
The Gospel text for the day offers us three different scenes in the town of Capernaum where Jesus administered healing to the sick – the healing of the centurion’s servant (Mt. 8:5-13), the healing of the mother-in-law of Peter (Mt. 8:14-15) and the healing of the multitude (Mt. 8:16-17).
Of the three scenes, Matthew elaborates the first. The centurion, a non-Jew, expresses his faith in the Word of God when he says, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed” (Mt. 8:8). In response, “Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.’ And the servant was healed in that hour” (Mt. 8:13).
Faith in the Word of God brings wholeness. In surrendering wholeheartedly and unreservedly to the Word of God, different kinds of healing take place. We may all not receive the same healing but certainly something gets repaired in us. Some are healed spiritually and others physically.
Jesus knows the pain of each one of us and he desires to make us whole. Today, he turns to every sick person reading this reflection and says, “…Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
Lord Jesus, there is nothing too difficult for you. I turn to you with deep trust. Speak your word into my situation and make me whole. Amen
Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)