16 August 2020
I’ve never really had to beg for anything.
Well once when I was maybe in fifth grade, I got it into my head that I wanted a bow and arrow.
I begged and begged and begged I’m sure I got very annoying.
I couldn’t tell you today why I was so obsessed with having a bow and arrow, but I was.
Finally, my mother gave in.
We were in Wausau, and I pointed out the sporting goods store where they could be obtained.
We went inside.
We went up to the display case where they were kept.
I could almost feel them in my hands
when my mother grabbed my arm and ushered me out of the store.
“I didn’t know you wanted a real bow and arrows.
For God’s sake you could kill someone with that,” she said.
I remember being crestfallen.
I don’t think I ever begged for anything again.
What about you?
Have you ever really had to beg for something?
I’m not sure that many of us have.
I think begging means more than wanting.
I think begging means more than needing someone else to help you out.
I think it means you are powerless.
You cannot get what you need, not even part of it.
Someone else, something else has to give it to you.
I think there are very few of us here who have had to beg for anything,
and so it’s hard to put ourselves in the shoes of this woman.
We can imagine it though.
Who here isn’t touched by the thought of someone you loved, your child, dying?
We can guess at the desperation it brings.
We can understand how out of control and totally dependent we feel.
We can understand the stakes.
What would you be willing to beg for?
Your life? The life of someone you loved?
Would you be willing to beg for faith–if not for yourself, then for the people you love?
The woman in today’s gospel takes a risk
This is not a time for pride. It’s a matter of life and death.
She will do anything for her daughter’s life.
What will you do for your faith, to keep your faith?