The
Christian Orthodox tradition looked at Paul’s challenge to pray unceasingly and
it came up with a prayer called the Jesus prayer. This
prayer is offered as a means of concentration, as a focal point of prayer in
our inner life. Simply put, the Jesus prayer states: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have
mercy on me, a sinner."
I
thought of prayer in general and the Jesus prayer in particular when I read
today’s first reading with the prayers that both Tobit and Sarah offer God in
today’s long reading from the book of Tobit. In
his suffering, in his grief, and in his anguish, Tobit turns to the Lord. He
acknowledges the sinfulness of human beings, how they have not been loyal to
God and his commandments. Tobit
asks the Lord to deal with him as he pleases, but asks that he be allowed to
die and be put out his misery. Tobit
would rather die than endure this horrible suffering that he is experiencing in
this moment in his life.
On
the very same day that Tobit offers his prayer, a woman named Sarah offers a
prayer to God as well. Sarah
has been married 7 times, and all 7 husbands have died. She
says a blessings to the Lord, but she also wishes to take her own life to put
herself out of her misery. The
Lord hears the prayers of both Tobit and Sarah, sending his Angel Raphael, his
special messenger, to bring healing into their lives.
Sometimes in our despair and our sorrow, we turn to the Lord in words that very
painfully come out of our hearts. When
we are in such a painful moment, it is difficult to approach the Lord. When
we see those who despair around us, let us be there for them. Let us put structures in place in society
that bring them help and support. For
the terminally ill in society, some would offer euthanasia or assisted society
as the solution, but we in the Church propose that they be able to die with
dignity and peace, surrounded by loving care that can be provided by a place
such as hospice. For
the young like Sarah who can reach a point when they see no hope in their
lives, they are to know that there are alternatives out there and people who
can understand and not judge, people who want to help no matter how desperate
things seem.
Let
us pray today that our prayers and the prayers of others may spur us to both
advocacy and action.
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