I say to one, "Go," and he goes. Matthew 8:9

I'm not much like the centurion's servants.  When my Lord says, "Go", I frequently say, "Forget it!"  When he says, "Do this," I protest.  It's not what I'd like to have happen.

St. Augustine described my predicament; knowing we need to follow God's ways in order to be happy, but unable to do it.  The world groans daily in suffering and affliction because we have such trouble following his simple command to "love one another."

Fortunately the Gospel doesn't end with commandments. The predicament ends when Christ walks in.  With a word, he heals the centurion's servant; with a touch, Peter's mother-in-law.  That's the secret.  When I can't love, can't follow, can't find a yes - I don't have to be my own savior.  There's One who waits for me to ask, to receive.  He carries the healing touch that takes away my fever and brings me back to life.

Thank you, Lord, for remaining in me. —Mary Marracco

Then an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, "Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route." Acts 8:26

A friend who recently returned to Church after having been alienated for decades explained how his homecoming came about.  It seems a parish in a nearby town ran a newspaper ad inviting all those who had been hurt by the Church to attend a service of healing and reconciliation.  He decided to attend and was so moved by the community and pastor's hospitality and humility that he couldn't help but change his heart and mind.

We probably won't be visited by an angel, but the Holy Spirit continues to inspire us to reach out to those who we consider outsiders and even outcasts. That might very well mean that we must leave our comfort zone and rub shoulders with the rich, the poor, the conservative, the liberal, as well as those of another religion or no religion at all.

Terri Mifek