"I will come and cure him."


A centurion approached him and appealed to him,
"Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully."

Jesus said to him, "I will come and cure him."
                                                        - Matthew 8:6-7

The voice of each of the characters leaves something for deeper reflection.  


The centurion's request is filled with compassion.  Although this is not family, he still identifies deeply that he is 'suffering dreadfully.'   Even though he is not a Jew, he approaches this Jewish healer, who he believes may provide relief to his friend.


Jesus, meeting a Roman soldier, does not hold back.  He does not ask questions, does not feel out the situation, he responds without hesitation: 

"I will come and cure him."


There is an immediate sense of desiring to alleviate suffering.  Even to someone who is a stranger.


Perhaps the take-away is about desire.  The desire of both the Centurion and Jesus is to wish for suffering to end in another; the deep desire to help end suffering and meet a need immediately.


Today is a day to tap into that desire - to look around and feel compassion for those suffering, to try to seek out those who can help alleviate suffering, to meet the needs of those who are suffering if given the opportunity.


And also being confident to know that sharing the desire we have for being healed ourselves and Jesus' desire to 'come and cure' us is a movement of spirit of which we need to more fully be attuned.  

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