Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent(Click here for readings)
There was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who as near death...The royal official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." Jesus said to him, "You may go; your son will live." The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. Can I learn to trust in God and to let God be God? Can I learn to leave or let go?
Doubts. Why don't you come with me, Lord? Hey, you never know. You're grace may have fallen on my next door neighbor and not on me. Why don't you accompany me? We can go together.
I am so impressed by this royal official's faith. "Only say the word and my servant shall be healed" (cf. Mt 8:8). How long will it take for me to hand my doubts over to the Lord and let Him be? Isn't His grace enough?
Fears. Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe. Remember. Remember. Believing is seeing. There is no other way to live life and conquer one's fears.
Life must be lived by faith.
Each day must be lived in hope.
Every person will come alive only through love.
I must conquer my fears of rejection. "Only say the word and I shall be healed"
Bitterness. Let it go. Come to the Lord for understanding. Let bitterness be no longer a part of who you are. Let it go...and forgive. Let forgiveness reign.
Believe in Him. Believe in what the Lord said and walk in His path. Walk away. The man believed and left.
Anger. Let it go. Come to the Lord for strength; the strength to stretch out your hands and receive His saving grace. Watch and learn from the Master, for He is meek and gentle of heart.
He, who did not allow anger to control Him, can control you. Let it go and come to the Lord. He went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son. Go. It's time to be received into your Father's arms. Be the Lord's servant and say, "Let it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38).
Revenge. Let it go. Come to the Lord for counsel. Do not allow anger or bitterness to seek and destroy. The Lord has made a promise to His people. "Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind" (cf. Is 65:17-21).
Do not destroy. Instead, allow the Lord to re-create. Remember: Scene One, Take Two. Do not allow revenge to consume you. Do not allow it to destroy you. Put on the shield that protects you - that protects your heart from failing and your mind from falling. Put on the armor of faith, hope and love.
The royal official walked towards Him.
The royal official was received by Him.
The royal official believed Him.
"...And just at that moment the fever left him."
Beautiful meditation. Thanks Fr. Alfonse.
ReplyDeleteLord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
ReplyDeleteThis has been my favorite prayer since college. It says it all: I admit that I am a sinner; I can’t do anything without You; You are Everything and Only You can heal me. Most of the time I don’t think I’m ill. That’s a problem! But when I realize that I am ill and I pray this prayer with all the sincerity in my being, then the tears of joy begin to flow. I am always in need of a Savior.
I see it in the lives of those who have given everything for God: Doubt. It’s not the small daily doubts that we give ourselves, but it’s the one big Doubt that makes us double over in excruciating pain. I think that this is from Jesus Himself asking each one: “Do you love me more than these?” John of the Cross explains that Jesus is with us always through our trials. However, there will come a time when God withdraws His consolations from us to see how strong we are, to see what we will choose without His presence. We don’t even realize God’s presence in our lives until this Doubt appears!! It’s pure aloneness; no one really knows what you’re going through except someone who has gone through it themselves, but even then, it is still different.
We all play the victim at different times in our lives. As much as we despise the victim mentality, we have all played the part. I just have to be aware of when I am acting this part and consciously change roles!
Hopefully, third times a charm.
ReplyDeleteLord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
This has been my favorite prayer since college. It says it all: I admit that I am a sinner; I can’t do anything without You; You are Everything and Only You can heal me. Most of the time I don’t think I’m ill. That’s a problem! But when I realize that I am ill and I pray this prayer with all the sincerity in my being, then the tears of joy begin to flow. I am always in need of a Savior.
I see it in the lives of those who have given everything for God: Doubt. It’s not the small daily doubts that we give ourselves, but it’s the one big Doubt that makes us double over in excruciating pain. This has to be from Jesus Himself asking each one: “Do you love me more than these?” John of the Cross explains that Jesus is with us always through our trials. However, there will come a time when God withdraws His consolations from us to see how strong we are, to see what we will choose without His presence. We don’t even realize God’s presence in our lives until this Doubt appears!! It’s pure aloneness; no one really knows what you’re going through.
We all play the victim at different times in our lives. As much as we despise the victim mentality, we have all played the part. I just have to be aware of when I am acting this part and 'consciously' change roles! I think that this is the most challenging part of Christianity: becoming aware of what is happening on the outside (circumstances) as well as on the inside (intentions). God speaks to us both ways.