Monday 18 September 2023

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Today is Monday 18 September, in the 24th week of Ordinary time.

IAMSON sings, ‘Slow Down’. How will you meet with the Lord today?

Slow down, where are you going

What's so important that can't wait

Tell me what are you seeking

What is it that’s keeping you from

Bringing me your questions

All that you carry, all that you bury underneath

Just slow down, just slow down

And meet with me

Rest now, be in the present

Here in the blessings of today

Listen just for a moment

I am the only one with

Words to calm your worries

Focus your mind on me, I am the way to perfect peace

Just slow down, just slow down

And meet with me

Why hurry when you can walk with me?

I’ll be the light to guide your feet

If you just slow down, just slow down

And meet with me

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 7:1-10

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.’ And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

In today’s reading we hear of the Centurion who had a slave whom he highly valued, and the slave was close to death.

We picture the centurion now, sending the Jewish elders to speak with Jesus to plead for his servant’s life.

What cause or desire do you wish to bring to Jesus today?

As Jesus sets off to the centurion’s home, the centurion sends word to Jesus, ‘Lord, I am not worth to have you come under my roof…only speak the word and my servant will be healed.’

As you bring your prayer today, can you ask with the same confidence that the centurion showed?

Or perhaps this approach is difficult for you. Spend a moment with the Lord sharing your thoughts about this.

As you listen to the reading again, notice the reaction of Jesus to the boldness of the centurion, who isn’t even present in person!

Imagine now, the celebration of the centurion as his servant is healed. Take a few moments to recall some of the Lord’s answers to your prayers, giving thanks for his goodness to you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.