Unveiling Grace
"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” - Mt 8:5-11
As we embark on this sacred Advent pilgrimage, a time of anticipation and reflection, we uncover a rich tapestry of human connection in today's gospel. Here, in the interplay of strength and vulnerability, we witness the delicate dance of humanity yearning for grace and discovering profound beauty amid the challenges life presents. The centurion's humility and quiet surrender before Jesus echo the poetic notion that true strength lies in acknowledging our limitations. Underneath the armor of our roles and responsibilities, we all carry a tender core where God longs to meet us. God invites us to be raw, vulnerable, and unapologetically real about what we need - no armor required.
In the last five months, my husband is still recovering from his first encounter with gout. Like a gust of wind against the sturdy branches of a tree, it has tested his body's resilience and the strength of our spirits. As we walk in the trenches together, it has been an opportunity for a shared pilgrimage. Greater love, patience, and understanding have become our gentle guides in this journey. Subtle miracles of faith have been unveiled through finding the proper treatment, lifestyle adjustments, quiet yet steadfast support through moments of physical discomfort and the emotional landscape he navigates, and holding onto hope in the potential for recovery.
Health journeys are intricate and multifaceted, and the traversed landscape is complex. Amidst the gentle rustle of these moments, I have found myself turning inward, reflecting on my trust in God, and grappling with the unspoken question hanging in the air of how much longer we must walk on this path. In these pauses, God has met me with a compassionate gaze and patient understanding, nudging me to hang on and trust that healing unfurls at its own unhurried pace. God ushers me into a space where the clock ticking does not measure time, yet through the rhythms of grace and in noticing how my trust has deepened with every passing moment, hardship embraced, and flickers of hope held in the expansiveness and vastness of His love.
Lord, guide me to lay down my hopes and fears and trust Your comforting embrace awaits me there.
Tam Lontok