Scripture Reflections for June 28, 2008

Scripture: Saturday of 12th week, June 28, 2008. Lamentations
2:2.10-14.18-19. Psalm 74:1-2,3-5,5-7,20-21. Matthew 8:5-17. Lectionary #
376:

A.S. Herbert, an English exegete of the Hebrew Scriptures introduces
the poems of Lamentations in this way: "The importance of this small
collection of poems becomes apparent when we study it against its
historical background." Thus it is a fitting conclusion to what we have
been listening to in the liturgy this past week from II KIngs and its
concluding chapters. We can enter into the feelings and hearts of those
left behind in devastated Jerusalem and its surroundings. These are the
'Anawim, the Poor of the Lord, who have no one else to trust or hope in
except their God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel(Jacob). The
children, women, the vinedresses and farmers are the only ones that the
Chaldeans allowed to remain in their Land. We enter into their prayers
through the Lamentations and the Psalm given for the day which perfectly
capture the inside story of these Poor of the Lord, the 'Anawim. The
aftermath of the Babylonian Captivity is definitely behind these poems and
some psalms.
As we read or listen to the selections with the ears of our heart and
as we feel their pain, we easily enter into their sorrow and can transpose
this to today's plight of the poor in the Sudan, to the homeless in Iraq,
to the mourning In Rwanda. Only the Lord really hears the cry of the poor
and those who dare to listen to their cry. Their prayers become ours for
today's Poor of the Lord as we commiserate and pray for God's help and for
our own leaders who have the possiblity of helping them. These poor still
have hope and trust in God and we have much to learn from them. God is
their only hope for salvation.
In the cure of the centurion's servant boy, we see that a foreigner
comes to believe in God and in God's servant son, Jesus. His "boy" is
cured of his life-threatening paralysis. Jesus helps us to grow in faith
when he says, "I assure you, I have never found this much faith in Israel."
This second of miracles recorded after the sermon help us to develop our
faith response to God through Jesus. Everyday wherever the Eucharist is
offered the words of this Roman, this foreigner, are kept alive, "O Lord, I
am not worthy that Thous shouldst come under my roof, but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed." May many of us have the opportunity to say
those words as we are about to receive Communion. Amen.