“HE TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND BORE OUR DISEASES” (Matt 8:17)

⏰Saturday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time 2 (27 June 2020 – Memorial of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Patroness of Issele-Uku Diocese)

📖Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19; Ps 74:1-2, 3-4, 5-7, 20-21 (R.v.19b); Matt 8:5-17

🎤”HE TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND BORE OUR DISEASES” (Matt 8:17)

You need to be sure of this beloved in Christ; God can do all things and with him, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). There is no hopeless situation insofar as he is actively involved, and the way to get him involved is by having an absolute faith in him. This is the type of faith that comes with an emptying of the self before God – a proof of our helplessness and nothingness without him.

The centurion, today gives us an example of that type of faith in Matt 18:5-9. That was a kind of faith that was well flavoured with humility. Till date, the humble declaration of this centurion is repeated by all at Mass: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matt 8:8).

What is that seemingly hopeless situation you have found yourself in? Is it something that has defiled possible solutions? I’m sure it wouldn’t be worse than the conditions which the Israelites found themselves in while in exile as the book of the Lamentation shows. If the Lord could deliver them from such pain and misery, how can he not deliver you too?

Our Mother of Perpetual Help is a channel of that deliverance and she wants us to always share in her maternal assistance. In her picture, which is believed to have been originally painted by St. Luke, she is seen carrying her son who is likely frightened by an impending danger and then trying to calm his fears. That is why it is considered a miraculous image invoked in difficult and fearful situations.

Are you among those who rationalize over our devotions to Mary? Do not allow limited human reasoning to deny you her maternal care and guide in our journey of faith.

May your faith in God continue to grow in strength, enabling the Spirit of God to always hover around your home and affairs, to guide you and deliver you from all obstacles. Amen.

Have a grace-filled and happy weekend. Peace be with you