Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

What was one of the most remarkable traits of Jesus?

***

Gospel: Matthew 10: 1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.
The names of the Twelve Apostles are these:
first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew,
Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;
James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot
who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

One of the remarkable traits of Jesus was his ability to bring people together. 

For example, today he calls the Twelve Apostles. Some of these men would never have been friends without the Lord.

Consider Simon and Matthew.

***

Simon was a member of the Zealot party, a group of Jewish patriots who viewed the Roman Empire as an invading force that stole their freedom. They wanted independence and would do almost anything for it.

Then there’s Matthew, also a Jew, who served the Empire as a tax-collector. Matthew would’ve been seen by Simon as sleeping with the enemy.

And, somehow, Jesus brought these men together, uniting them under a single purpose – the salvation of souls.

***

That’s what the Holy Spirit still does today.

***

The Spirit fosters harmony; inspires forgiveness; heals wounded hearts; and enables people with divergent – even conflicting – views to set aside their differences to work together for a greater purpose.

How do I feel the Holy Spirit working in my life? How do I serve with others to build the kingdom of God?

***

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle in us the fire of your love, and we shall renew the face of the earth.

***

***

Image credits: (1) Icon of Jesus, Pantocrator, World History Encyclopedia (2) St. Elisabeth Convent (3) Pittsboro Presbyterian Church

Posted on

Christ has no body now but yours.

***

Gospel: Matthew 9:32-38

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said,
“He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

There’s nothing that pains the Lord more than human suffering. In addition to today’s Gospel passage, consider a few other moments when Jesus is moved with pity.

His heart broke when he saw the widow at Nain.

This mother was on her way to bury her child – perhaps he imagined how his own mother would soon feel. Overcome with compassion, Jesus touches the boy’s tomb. Instantly, he’s brought back to life.

Then Jesus is moved with pity when he gazes upon a tired and hungry crowd. 

Thousands had been following him for days, but they had nothing to eat. So, the Lord multiplies loaves of bread and, the Gospel tells us, “all ate and were filled.”

Then he’s stirred with compassion when he’s confronted by a leper who spent his entire life in isolation. Feeling this man’s loneliness and sense of abandonment, Jesus forgives his sins, heals him, and sets him free.

***

We could add thousands of other examples in our world today that pierce our Lord’s heart with pity. 

But, as Teresa of Avila once wrote, “Christ has no hands now but yours. No body but yours. Yours are the eyes with which he sees. Yours the hands with which he blesses. Christ has no body now but yours.”

***

Moved with compassion by the suffering of others, may we use our eyes, hands, and feet to be the body of Christ for another today.

***

***

Image credits: (1) Prayer of Teresa of Avila, Young Catholics (2) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christ Comforts Mary and Martha (3) Young Catholics, ibid.

Posted on

Two cases of healing – and a word for us today.

***

Gospel: Matthew 9: 18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before him, and said,
“”My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.””
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “”If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.””
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“”Courage, daughter!  Your faith has saved you.””
And from that hour the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
he said, “”Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.””
And they ridiculed him.
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

I was called to the ICU twice the day I wrote this sermon. In both cases, relatively young patients were knocking on death’s door while their families were surrounding them, praying for a miracle.

What I witnessed that day reminded me of what’s unfolding in today’s Gospel.

***

There are two people who are sick.

One is a twelve-year-old girl, and the other is an older woman who’s been hemorrhaging for the last twelve years. Together, they represent all of humanity. 

The young girl represents every child who suffers, along with the pain and helplessness of their parents. The older woman represents all who are aging, whose minds and bodies have weakened over time.

In the middle of it all, there is Jesus, the compassionate healer who comes to their aid.  

***

What does this Gospel passage mean for us? Or what does it teach us about Jesus? 

***

First and foremost, that healing comes from God. Without Jesus, neither of these two people would’ve been healed – or saved.

Sometimes that healing is immediate, as is the case for the twelve-year-old girl.

For others, it takes time, as is the case for the woman who was hemorrhaging for twelve agonizing years. Thankfully, she never gave up.

***

Perhaps today we can pray for all who are sick – including those who find themselves in the ICU. May the Lord grant them the healing they desire.

If that healing is not immediate, may their loved ones do what we all should in times of distress – persevere in prayer.

***

***

Image credits: (1) Shadia Hrichi (2) Good News Unlimited, Ritchie Way (3) Sherry Schumann