First Reading: 1Cor 11:17-26. 33; Psalm: 40. R. v. 1Cor 11:26b; Gospel: Lk 7:1-10

THE POWER OF INTERCESSION

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

The centurion in the gospel of today was in great need. He wanted his servant to get well and he knew he could get what he wanted from Jesus. But there was a little barrier. He was a Gentile and Jesus was a Jew. And so he feared Jesus might not grant his request because of the unfriendly relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles. His recourse to the Jewish elders to plead with Jesus on his behalf was possible because he built a synagogue for them. These elders went and pleaded with Jesus on his behalf recounting his good deeds as to why Jesus should help him since he was a good man.

Jesus got up and made his way to his house. As he got close to the house, the centurion sent some friends to beg Jesus not to come any further but to say the word and his servant will be well again. Jesus was amazed by his faith which as a result healed his servant.

There are a number of intercessors in this healing miracle. The centurion interceded for his sick slave. The Jewish elders interceded for the centurion. And while Jesus was on his way to heal the sick slave, the friends of the centurion came and interceded for the centurion and his slave. All these individuals played a role in the healing of the sick slave.

How ready are we to come to the aid of those in need especially when we are in a very good position to make their request granted through our intercession?  If we are better placed to help people we shouldn’t hesitate because God uses the human instrument to bless people.  We should not forget that we are all channels of God’s blessings. Don’t turn people down when you are in a position to help them because the setbacks suffered by several people wouldn’t have happened if only we had intervened. Help somebody in need today. It is a way of healing the situation.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, we pray for a generous and merciful heart so that we may become instruments of charity and mercy to one another. Amen.