Read Genesis 18:1-15 and Matthew 8:5-17
“The Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh?’ … ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son’” (Genesis 18:13-14)
Whenever you become worried about anything after you have already prayed about it, this is the question you must ask yourself: “Is there anything too hard for God?”
After twenty-four years of waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise, Abraham and Sarah had given up any hope of seeing this promised child. When this promise was renewed after Abraham’s act of kindness, Sarah took it as a joke.
What we learn from this episode is that nothing is too hard for God. As finite creatures, we are limited and dependent but God is not limited by time, space or anything you can think of.
The Centurion in our Gospel passage this morning knew this. Hence, he did not consider his house worthy enough to receive Jesus. The centurion knew that Jesus is God who is able to speak creation into being. Jesus spoke to the sea and it calmed, He spoke to the leper and his leprosy vanished. The centurion said: “Only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8)
Unlike Abraham and Sarah who laughed at the thought of having a child in old age, the Centurion knew that there was nothing too hard for God to do. Do you believe that there is nothing too hard for God, that even that which troubles you right now is not difficult for God?
Another important lesson contained in our readings today is the importance of showing kindness to strangers. Abraham was relaxing in his home when he saw three men but he would not let them pass without giving them something to eat. Abraham’s behavior can be likened to that of the Shunamite woman who built a small house for Elisha and to repay this kindness, Elisha prayed for her to conceive. (2 Kings 4:8-17)
The book of Hebrews tells us: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2) Learn to be kind, not because of the reward you expect but because it is just good to be good. If your goodness is based on reward, you might easily become disappointed but if you are kind for the sake of just being kind, the happiness you give out would always return to you.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, only say your word, and my soul shall be healed. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of week 12 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 18:1-15 and Matthew 8:5-17).