Ordinary 14: Come Closer (feat. Pr. Vieth)

Trinity Lutheran Elkhart Homilies

Like Jesus’ own kin, we are cursed by familiarity. We know who Jesus is with our heads, but for some reason the wonder of our hearts has been transformed into apathy. We begin to believe the devil when he asks if God really said, or if God can really handle our situations in life, or if he can really act. This only leads us to become apathetic toward our struggle against the vices and false promises the world offers. But it only makes our faith shrink more. Jesus marvels at our lack of faith, but that isn’t his final or greatest feeling toward us. Instead, he invites us to come closer to him; to let him come through the door of our hearts after he’s knocked. What if we actually invited the Lord into those places that have hurt us the most? He promises to dwell there with us, and in his own beautiful way, he’ll either take the thorn away from our flesh or he’ll teach us through the pain a more beautiful lesson, if only we’ll let him. Could we, with the centurion and with our blessed Mother Mary, begin to pray “Say the word Lord and I shall be healed.” “Let it be unto me according to your word.”