August 16, 2020
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We are hardwired for wholeness and crave it. When something is broken, we want it fixed. If a part of our body is not working properly, we want it healed. How often do we find ourselves saying, “I’m tired of struggling with this cold, I can’t wait for my surgery to heal, or I want my treatments to make me better.” Wholeness and healing restore our relationships and make us free to love as we desire. We know very well how our limitations, imperfections, and brokenness really limit us. They can easily prevent us from being and doing what we want to do.
Our physical and emotional wounds and maladies are easier to identify. If my back hurts, I feel it and know what part of my body needs attention. If I am feeling intense anger, I can identify the emotion and take necessary steps to uncover its cause. Being persistent often brings greater and quicker results. But will pursuing and even achieving our physical and emotional healings really be enough? We forget that there is a deeper healing that we seek and desperately need. As we look around at humanity, there are some physical and emotional wounds and scars that cannot be made whole. They are limitations that must remain and, for one reason or another, cannot be rectified. Does this mean that the wholeness and healing that my being longs for is not possible for me? Must I settle with less than what God promises?
The answer is no. Ultimately, there is a desire that goes deeper than the physical and emotional. It is a desire that resides in our soul. What we really seek and thirst for is healing and wholeness for our soul. Inner strength, conviction, focus, grounding, love, hope, faith, courage, determination, peace, and connectedness are all words that center us on eternity. They direct us to a presence we discover in our core, which is none other than the presence of God. In God, we are healed. When we are persistent in reaching out to and establishing our relationship with God, real healing and wholeness begin to happen.
There are some limitations and some of our brokenness with which we may simply have to live. This does not mean that we have to abandon our journey to wholeness and healing. If we have done our inner soul work, we have worked toward and acquired what and who we ultimately need and desire.
©LPi
MEDITACIÓN EVANGÉLICO
16 de agosto de 2020
20º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
En el pasaje del Evangelio de hoy, Jesús sana a la hija de una mujer cananea. Ésta insiste a Jesús sobre la enfermedad de su hija, hasta que Jesús le concede el milagro de sanarla. Recordemos, que Dios envía a Jesús no sólo al pueblo judío, sino a todos los pueblos. La circunstancia del momento no es sólo cuestión de la fe tan grande de la mujer cananea, sino su situación de no ser del pueblo escogido. “Ese era el dilema”. Pues, al parecer aquella mujer no tenía derecho a la salvación. Pero, ella reconoce en Jesús al Mesías y no duda en insistir. Reflexionemos en el diálogo de la mujer y Jesús.
“La mujer se acercó a Jesús y, de rodillas, le decía: ¡Señor ayúdame! Jesús le dijo: “No se debe echar a los perros el pan de los hijos”. La mujer le contestó: Es verdad, Señor, pero también los perritos comen las migajas que caen de la mesa de sus amos”. Entonces Jesús le dijo: “Mujer, ¡qué grande es tu fe! Que se cumpla tu deseo”. Y en aquel momento quedó sana su hija. (Mateo 15:25-28). ¿Crees tú que el anuncio del Evangelio es solamente para las personas que asisten a la iglesia cada domingo? Jesús, quiere romper las barreras de los que se sienten particulares y únicos. La salvación es de todos y para todos, es la clave del mensaje. Es un momento importante para los paganos de hoy el acercarse y dialogar sus dudas y encontrar el camino. El Papa Francisco, nos invita a ser Iglesia en salida, Iglesia peregrina que motiva a la santidad y misión. Debemos de aprender mucho de esta mujer que no tenía prejuicios y sabía bien ante quien se encontraba.
©LPi