Magic vs Mystery

24th Week in Ordinary Time - Monday (17 September 2018)

1 Corinthians 11:17-33

Luke 7:1-10

"I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."

The gospels were primarily written that we may identify ourselves with Christ. We are already in union with God, as God is in everything, and everything is in God. But we as humans need some concrete ways of realising our union with God and others. Meditating on the attitudes, actions and words of Jesus is a beautiful way of realising our oneness with God and with all of His creation.

In today's gospel reading, Jesus works a miracle of healing the Centurion's servant. Any of Jesus' miracle is not about the medical cure, but about healing, about wholeness. Miracle is not a magic show, but an extraordinary sign of God's boundless mystery which is already active in this world. In fact, Jesus shows no interest in just being a miracle worker, which appeals to our ego needs. But he goes to the real thing, about the whole person, above giving life in its wholeness. And every time Jesus works a miracle, he doesn't want people or demons to talk about it. In other words, Jesus asks the people to cherish and relish and digest the mystery of that miracle, not go blah-blah at it. Silence seems to be the best response to mystery. Any deep experience of God has to be met not with words, but with our whole being, and in great respect and silence.

On our part, do we expect only magic from God? Or do we really deeply desire wholeness? Many of our prayers seem to suggest we want shortcut solutions, and they reveal our impatience—both with ourselves and with God. Do we value silence, and express respect to God's mystery with silence? Or are we too attached to words while dealing with God and his mysteries?

Furthermore, let us notice the humility of Jesus who is on the way to the Centurion's house; his great sensitivity and attention to those around him; and also his commitment to those beyond the boundaries of his own religion and nation. There is no hostility or hatred in him. He makes the occasion a great lesson for all the people: "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."

It is beautiful that we have the words of a pagan in our Christian liturgy taken from this gospel passage, just before our participation in the communion service. "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed." Do we have the same attitude of the Centurion? How do we participate in the Eucharist? Or has it become a ritual? Do we accept the sacrament of communion in silence to participate in God's mystery of communion with us? Are we attentive and sensitive to people who show true faith beyond our boundaries? Like Jesus, are we able to think and feel beyond the confines of our religion?