The centurion always makes me stop to consider how immense Jesus’ mercy is. What boundless compassion He has for those who suffer. This man, this centurion, commands a hundred men, leads them and directs them. When he comes before Jesus he is so humbled, he simply admits that he is unworthy. This should strike us as somewhat strange because he is not an ordinary man, he is not a follower, he is not someone who just goes with the flow. Most of us, if we are honest, would be in agreement with this centurion – we are not worthy for Jesus to visit our house. However the difference is that this centurion is of higher standing than most of us. Even the mighty and those of high estate in this world must recognize their lowliness and humble themselves before the Lord.
Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
There is a famous Jesuit saying, “Pray as if it all depends on God, work as if it all depends on you.” While there is certainly a healthy spirituality reflected in that ideal, it must be understood correctly. We should rather say, “Pray, because it all does depend on God. Work, even though it doesn’t depend on you.” Jesus invites us to cooperate with God’s providence completely free of anxiety and worry. We do what we can, and to the best of our ability, but not because God needs our work. God does not need our help, He does not need us, we cannot cause His master plan to fail by not living up to our potential. Our work is important for us, not for God. Our work is something God invites us to do to increase our happiness and blessedness, not because God needs collaborators. The thought that God’s providence depends upon the effectiveness of my work and effort is completely backwards. It is rather that my work is effective and my efforts well spent because of God’s providence. The spreading of the Gospel is a task so much greater than my own ability to comprehend, that it is actually necessary for me to believe – and thus to pray – before I can begin to perceive the work God is asking of me.
Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
The prophet Elijah is one of very few people said to have been assumed into heaven. There is of course the Blessed Virgin Mary, some speak of Moses, others of Saint John the Apostle. The only one clearly indicated in the scriptures is the assumption of Elijah. Not only is it a unique occurrence, it is also fairly dramatic with blazing horses and chariot. As Elijah is taken up into heaven, he leaves everything behind – even the prophet’s mantle. Even the amazing office of prophet is useless and of little importance in heaven. When we come before God, we will appear in all our miserable plainness. We will be naked in our broken personhood before the majesty of perfection itself. The only light that will shine from our being is that light of faith and trust in God’s mercy that He Himself planted in our hearts. The more we’ve trusted in that mercy in this life, the brighter we will shine at the moment of judgment.