Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19 / Matthew 8:5-17
No one would want to defy those in authority or those who have earthly power.
To dare to defy or challenge or resist authority or earthly powers would mean two things.
Either it is because the defiance or challenge or resistance comes from someone or a group of a great power.
Or that they are taking a risk and think that they can match the other authority or power.
But the price of defeat is none other than punishment.
The people of God had known the authority and power of God.
Yet, they dared to disobey and disregard the Lord their God.
The first reading is about the lamentations of a people who had gone against their God, and they had to bear the consequences.
But in the gospel, it was a military commander, a centurion, who acknowledges the power and the authority of God.
His servant was paralysed and in great pain.
The centurion knew that no earthly power or authority can cure his servant and bring him back to health.
And so with a humility that even astonished Jesus, the centurion pleaded with Jesus for his servant.
Let us plead with Jesus when we have sinned and gone astray and away from God.
With God’s mercy, forgiveness and healing, let us always be obedient and faithful to God so that we will always rejoice in His love for us.