Ah –Ordinary Time. What a relief to get back in our gospel readings to the merely miraculous after so many weeks exploring the unfathomable mysteries – Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity. We’re back to following Jesus as he traveled and preached, debated and demonstrated the power of God released into humankind.
This week we look at a story of healing across boundaries of religion, ethnicity – even physical space. It begins with a request of Jesus from local Jewish leaders on behalf of a Roman centurion:
After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.’
Why must the Jewish elders spell out for Jesus why he should help this guy? Doesn’t Jesus want to help everybody? Well, this Roman official was a gentile, and Jesus had made it clear that his mission was to his own people first. The elders seem to think they have to tell Jesus why this man is worthy of his time and power; they even hint at the strategic advantages to be gained in helping him. (“He built our synagogue…”)
How often do we do that when we pray for another? “Please heal her – she’s such a good person.” Or “So many people rely on him,” as though God needs someone’s resume to decide whether or not to help. Or, “She does so much for you, Lord,” implying that God would be nuts to let a member of his A team stay on the DL. Why do we think we need to convince God to act in a way that is intrinsic to God’s very nature: to restore and renew all things and all people to wholeness?
These elders are a wonderful model to us of intercession: bringing to Jesus’ attention those needs for healing and justice that we are aware of. Yet we can bring people into Jesus’ presence in prayer, and invite his healing hand without presenting a case. Love is the only case we need.
Who from outside your faith has asked you to pray for them? What need or brokenness in someone around you do you want to bring to Jesus’ attention? Imagine yourself walking up to Jesus and telling him – and imagine the effects of Jesus’ power on that situation. And then say, “Thank you, Lord.”
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