Withered

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Gn 18:1-15; Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50 and 53, 54-55; Mt 8:5-17
Notes: The SURFSIDE, Fla. building collapse is in my region. We remember the lost, injured and missing.

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam dayan ha’emet.

This translates to : Blessed are You, Adonai Our God, Ruler of the Universe, the True Judge.

The healing ministry of the Lord.

We wither before evil at times. The Messiah came because we have become dried out, shrunken or wrinkled from sin, age or disease.

• Friday – Leper (yesterday). Healed.
• Saturday – Paralyzed servant. Healed. Peter’s Mother-in-Law (today). Healed.
• Sunday – Young girl. Healed. Old Woman(coming Sunday). Healed.

First reading
Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years,
and Sarah had stopped having her womanly periods.
So Sarah laughed to herself and said,
“Now that I am so withered and my husband is so old,
am I still to have sexual pleasure?”

One year later, a son, Isaac. Abraham’s destiny.

Responsorial (Gospel of Luke – Magnificat)

The Lord has remembered his mercy.
The Magnificat “Magnifies” or makes viewable the depths of the mercy of God.

It declares the great eschatological reversal where evil it overcome by good.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.”

Here the Blessed Mother sings her song of Joy.

Nine months later, a son, Jesus. Mary’s destiny.

For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.”

Alleluia Verse
Christ took away our infirmities
and bore our diseases.

Gospel Portion
For this first story there are three different accounts between the gospels of Matthew, Luke and John. For the second story there are about the same between the three gospels.

In today’s Gospel portion. Jesus heals a centurion’s servant.
This servant has no name, no gender, no citizenship, no identity except as slave.
Perhaps he was loved, or not.
What we do know is:

“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.”

At its minimum witnessing the abject pain of others moves people to compassion.

Jesus heals the servant remotely.

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
“Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.

You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.”
And at that very hour his servant was healed.

• Sarah was withered.
• Abraham was old.
• Mary a virgin.
• Servant, a nobody.
• Mother-In-Law (no wise cracks, please).

All given grace.

You are too, my friend, you are too.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry