Day 45: Afflicted

Matthew 25:37-40

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Comments

Jesus knew what it meant to suffer physical affliction. He may never have had a tension headache, but he felt terrible pain as the crown of thorns was pressed down upon his head. His body was like ours; his suffering was no less than our own.

God delivers those who suffer from pain and illness. God’s kingdom is one in which there are no more tears, no more pain, no more suffering, no more death. Everyone who turns to God finds healing, some in this world and all in the next.

Reflection

God has created our bodies with incredible capacity for self-healing. When something is wrong with your body, how do you decide when to let nature take its course, when to turn to God in prayer, and when to seek medical help?

Are there times you have felt you had to choose between these courses of action?

When healing doesn’t come, do you attribute it to a lack of faith on your part, a lack of care on God’s part or something else entirely?

Prayer

When pain and suffering come into my life, Lord, help me know that you are not my adversary, but my ally, in all these matters.