Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
This weekend our new parish theme was introduced: “Discipleship: Sacraments of Peace’. As well it should, I am lead to seriously reflect on what aspects of my life need renewal. I found today's scriptures particularly meaningful in this regard; they set forth several ways to grow and change in the effort to live as a peacemaker. In my limited experience, establishing peace in my own heart, as well as my community and beyond, requires hard work. There is nothing passive when it comes to peace. Peace is definitely an ‘action word’.
Saint Paul addresses the disciples at Corinth about their behavior when they come together in community. Of particular concern are the internal divisions and lack of reverence for celebration of the Lord's Supper and personal disregard for one another. Paul echoes the sacred words of the consecration and the Mystery of Faith professed at every Eucharist: “Do this… in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.” This leads me to reflect on my personal disposition when I attend the celebration of the Eucharist. Is mine an ‘active’ presence or merely a fulfillment of an obligation? When I leave this sacred gathering—where Heaven and earth meet through the sacrifice of Jesus—has my presence promoted unity within my community? Have I expressed appropriate reverence for what is transpiring at this Eucharist?
In the verses from today’s Gospel, Luke relates the encounter between Jesus and the centurion. Luke’s words echo our own verbal response to the invitation to share in communion: “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof…but say the word and let my servant (me) be healed.” St. Luke writes that Jesus ‘was amazed’ at the faith of the centurion. Amazed! And the centurion was a Gentile. How do my actions reflect this measure of faith in Jesus?
The significance of reverence, unity, and faith intimated in today’s Scriptures are a few of the foundational elements of the Kingdom of God. As I begin this year of peace with my parish community, I firmly believe that peace must begin with me. I firmly believe that peace is an action word. And I firmly believe I can do better. In faith I can go to Jesus and ask for the grace to do better. In unity, I can give and receive assistance from my fellow disciples. In reverence, I can humbly bow down, consciously aware of my littleness, and beg for forgiveness and even more grace. May God bless my smallest of efforts and inspire me to ever more action for the sake of God’s Kingdom and establishment of God’s peace.
- Gail Lyman