Have Faith

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/063015.cfm) reminds me that we should always have faith in God.

We all experience troubles. They say that you will only be without problems when you’re dead. However, how we handle problems differ. Some cannot handle it well, so they get stressed, get sick and even commit suicide. However, some are calm and relaxed which shows faith in God.

Being still in times of trouble is a sign of great faith in God.

In the gospel, Jesus was on a boat with his disciples when they encountered a violent storm. It must be so strong, since the disciples were mostly fishermen, yet they were so afraid they woke up Jesus. They may have lacked faith, but they had faith in him, since they knew Jesus can help them in the situation they are in. and eventually, Jesus calmed the storm.

Jesus is asking us the same question he asked his disciples – why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?

Sometimes, we get overwhelmed by problems in this life. Sometimes we get stressed with the things happening around us. Jesus is telling us to be still and have faith in him. If we have faith, we will not have time to be terrified or troubled. If we know how much God loves us, and how powerful he is, then no storm in life can bother us. The first reading should strengthen our faith, when we see not only God’s power, but also his goodness and mercy toward us.

May we be inspired by the gospel, and be challenged and moved to build and strengthen our relationship with Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus directly affects our faith. As we get to know him more, as we experience his love and power, then our faith will be stronger. May we do our part, and seek him in prayer, bible reading and the sacraments to solidify our faith and relationship with him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for reminding me of your great love and power. Sorry for the times I act like the disciples. Sorry for the times I get so stressed and scared of what is happening around me. sorry for the times that I know you are there beside me, but I still feel scared and stressed. Sorry for not having enough faith in you. help me strengthen my faith and relationship with you. I will do my part and read the bible, pray more, and take the sacraments, and I ask you to help me. strengthen my faith in you. may I always be still in times of trouble, knowing that you are always there protecting me. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 30, 2015

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 378

Reading 1 Gn 19:15-29

As dawn was breaking, the angels urged Lot on, saying, “On your way!

Take with you your wife and your two daughters who are here,

or you will be swept away in the punishment of Sodom.”

When he hesitated, the men, by the LORD’s mercy,

seized his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters

and led them to safety outside the city.

As soon as they had been brought outside, he was told:

“Flee for your life!

Don’t look back or stop anywhere on the Plain.

Get off to the hills at once, or you will be swept away.”

“Oh, no, my lord!” Lot replied,

“You have already thought enough of your servant

to do me the great kindness of intervening to save my life.

But I cannot flee to the hills to keep the disaster from overtaking me,

and so I shall die.

Look, this town ahead is near enough to escape to.

It’s only a small place.

Let me flee there–it’s a small place, is it not?–

that my life may be saved.”

“Well, then,” he replied,

“I will also grant you the favor you now ask.

I will not overthrow the town you speak of.

Hurry, escape there!

I cannot do anything until you arrive there.”

That is why the town is called Zoar.

The sun was just rising over the earth as Lot arrived in Zoar;

at the same time the LORD rained down sulphurous fire

upon Sodom and Gomorrah

from the LORD out of heaven.

He overthrew those cities and the whole Plain,

together with the inhabitants of the cities

and the produce of the soil.

But Lot’s wife looked back, and she was turned into a pillar of salt.

Early the next morning Abraham went to the place

where he had stood in the LORD’s presence.

As he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah

and the whole region of the Plain,

he saw dense smoke over the land rising like fumes from a furnace.

Thus it came to pass: when God destroyed the Cities of the Plain,

he was mindful of Abraham by sending Lot away from the upheaval

by which God overthrew the cities where Lot had been living.

Responsorial Psalm PS 26:2-3, 9-10, 11-12

R. (3a) O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.

Search me, O LORD, and try me;

test my soul and my heart.

For your mercy is before my eyes,

and I walk in your truth.

R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.

Gather not my soul with those of sinners,

nor with men of blood my life.

On their hands are crimes,

and their right hands are full of bribes.

R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.

But I walk in integrity;

redeem me, and have mercy on me.

My foot stands on level ground;

in the assemblies I will bless the LORD.

R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.

Alleluia Ps 130:5

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I trust in the LORD;

my soul trusts in his word.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.

Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea,

so that the boat was being swamped by waves;

but he was asleep.

They came and woke him, saying,

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”

Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea,

and there was great calm.

The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this,

whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

Who is He?

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062915-day.cfm) makes me think who God is in my life.

Today, we celebrate the feast of two great followers and workers of Christ – Saints Peter and Paul.

The first reading shows us what great things God has done to Peter. He was captured, chained and was set to die. A lot of guards were guarding him, making sure he cannot escape. Then we see that nothing really is impossible with God! God hears the prayers of his people! God sent an angel to take Peter away from a seemingly impossible situation. God turned the hopeless situation into one which shows his great love, power and glory!

Another great servant of God, Paul’s final moments was recalled in the second reading. Yes, he gave his all for God. He was tired, yet very happy and satisfied with how he lived his life in service of God. Until the end, he had complete and full faith in God, something we can aspire to have, something we can work to have.

The gospel shows us Jesus asking the disciples the question: Who am I to you? Who do you say that I am? It does not matter who Jesus is for other people. What matters is who Jesus is to them. Peter proclaimed that Jesus is the messiah. Jesus then affirmed that it was God who revealed this to Peter, and he said his blessings on Peter as the head of his Church.

Today, God is asking us the same question: Who am I to you? It does not matter what other people say Jesus is. It does not matter what sins we have committed in the past. It does not matter what we intend to do in our lives. What matters for Christ is our answer to his question, and if like Saints Peter and Paul, we are willing to walk the talk – to live what our answer to what God is in our lives.

Who is God to you? Who is God in your life? Do you put him first in your life? Do you believe that he is all loving, all merciful, all powerful? Do you believe that he can work great things to and through you?

May we find it in our hearts to answer him like Peter did – that he is the Messiah, that he is God in our lives. Let us be inspired by saints Peter and Paul, and live our lives the way these two servants of God did – working tirelessly to proclaim God’s kingdom wherever they are, having full faith in God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another week, for another chance to experience your love and live my faith. Lord, I praise and adore you for who you are. I am so blessed that you are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and that no matter what I do, you will not love me less. I am so grateful to be worshipping the same God that Peter and Paul worshipped, and I believe that you will use me in a mighty way the same way you used Peter and Paul for your glory. Lord, I ask that you help me live my life proclaiming that you are the Messiah, that you are my God, so that I can bring people to you and glorify you. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/06/who-am-i-to-you.html

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June 29, 2015

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles - Mass during the Day

Lectionary: 591

Reading 1 Acts 12:1-11

In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them.

He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword,

and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews

he proceeded to arrest Peter also.

–It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.–

He had him taken into custody and put in prison

under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each.

He intended to bring him before the people after Passover.

Peter thus was being kept in prison,

but prayer by the Church was fervently being made

to God on his behalf.

On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial,

Peter, secured by double chains,

was sleeping between two soldiers,

while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.

Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him

and a light shone in the cell.

He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying,

“Get up quickly.”

The chains fell from his wrists.

The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.”

He did so.

Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.”

So he followed him out,

not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real;

he thought he was seeing a vision.

They passed the first guard, then the second,

and came to the iron gate leading out to the city,

which opened for them by itself.

They emerged and made their way down an alley,

and suddenly the angel left him.

Then Peter recovered his senses and said,

“Now I know for certain

that the Lord sent his angel

and rescued me from the hand of Herod

and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (5) The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

Let my soul glory in the LORD;

the lowly will hear me and be glad.

R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Glorify the LORD with me,

let us together extol his name.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,

and your faces may not blush with shame.

When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,

and from all his distress he saved him.

R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

The angel of the LORD encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Taste and see how good the LORD is;

blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

R. The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Reading 2 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation,

and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have competed well; I have finished the race;

I have kept the faith.

From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,

which the Lord, the just judge,

will award to me on that day, and not only to me,

but to all who have longed for his appearance.

The Lord stood by me and gave me strength,

so that through me the proclamation might be completed

and all the Gentiles might hear it.

And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat

and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.

To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia Mt 16:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church,

and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi

he asked his disciples,

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,

still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said in reply,

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.

For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

And so I say to you, you are Peter,

and upon this rock I will build my Church,

and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.

Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;

and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Powerful Faith

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062815.cfm) reminds me of something very powerful – Faith.

In the gospel we see Jesus faced with something we all can relate to – health problems. Jairus came to her to have his daughter healed. They were on their way when a woman came to Jesus and touched his cloak. Jesus asked who touched her, because he knew someone touched him and that power came out of him. Of course, being the Son of God, he knows that. I believe he also knew who touched her. He just wanted to see if the woman would stand up and be responsible for her actions, even if she felt she would be reprimanded for it. During that time, social division was strong. There were slaves and masters, and widows and women are on the bottom of the hierarchy. The widow was boldly breaking rules as she came directly to Jesus. She probably thought she would be punished or reprimanded, still she held up for her actions. Then we see Jesus breaking social barriers and commending her faith. “Daughter, your faith has saved you” Yes, Jesus cannot work miracles without our faith (Matthew 13:58). He goes on further assuring her she did nothing wrong, and is healed already “Go in peace and be cured of your affliction”

On the way to Jairus’ house, they received news that the daughter died already. Well, indeed nothing is impossible for God.  Again, Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith. “Do not be afraid, just have faith” Although it was not explicitly stated that Jairus had faith (except for the fact he asked Jesus to heal his daughter, thus had faith in Jesus), we can see he had faith because he still brought home Jesus and He was able to heal his daughter.

God do not want sickness and death. The first reading tells us that it was the devil who brought death into the world. Thus, we should be encouraged and have faith in God’s love and power. And as we are healed, we are encouraged by the second reading to help others as well, to repay God’s goodness to us by helping out others, by sharing God’s blessings to us.

Do not be afraid; just have faith.

God is reminding us to just trust in him – no matter what the situation may be. Especially when the situation seem to be hopeless or impossible. In this life there will be a lot of challenges, and tough ones at that. No matter what you do, there will always be negative reactions. Jesus is telling us to keep our faith, to focus on Him and to just continue to trust in Him. The enemy cannot prevail over God, so no matter how difficult the situation may be, it is nothing God cannot handle and win over. Yes, nothing is impossible for Him (Matthew 19:26) and he will never give us something we cannot bear through him (1 Corinthians 10:13)

What are my concerns right now? What am I praying for? What is something I want to be healed of or want to be freed from? What challenges are there in my life right now? Do I believe that I can go through this, through God’s grace? Do I know that nothing is impossible for God? Do I know that God needs my faith to save me?

May we be reminded on the power of faith in God, and not only pray for faith, but do our part to improve our faith.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for the reminders. Lord, I praise and thank you for your great, redeeming and healing love for me. Thank you for always keeping me safe and watching over me. Lord, I am sorry for the times I take you for granted and for taking your blessings for granted just because I think everyone experiences the same as well. Sorry for the times that I feel the situation is hopeless or impossible, that even you cannot do anything to improve it. I ask that you bless my efforts to strengthen my faith. As I read the bible, pray more, and partake of the sacraments and get to know you more, may my faith increase. May I always trust in you, no matter what the situation may be. I know Lord that nothing is too big or too small for you, and that you will always be there to guide and protect me, even if I cannot feel it sometimes. Use me Lord for your kingdom, and may my faith be a sign of your great love and power to others.  Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/faith-that-heals.html

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June 28, 2015

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 98

Reading 1 Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24

God did not make death,

nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.

For he fashioned all things that they might have being;

and the creatures of the world are wholesome,

and there is not a destructive drug among them

nor any domain of the netherworld on earth,

for justice is undying.

For God formed man to be imperishable;

the image of his own nature he made him.

But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,

and they who belong to his company experience it.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13

R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear

and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;

you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,

and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger lasts but a moment;

a lifetime, his good will.

At nightfall, weeping enters in,

but with the dawn, rejoicing.

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;

O LORD, be my helper.

You changed my mourning into dancing;

O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Reading 2 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15

Brothers and sisters:

As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse,

knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you,

may you excel in this gracious act also.

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor,

so that by his poverty you might become rich.

Not that others should have relief while you are burdened,

but that as a matter of equality

your abundance at the present time should supply their needs,

so that their abundance may also supply your needs,

that there may be equality.

As it is written:

Whoever had much did not have more,

and whoever had little did not have less.

Alleluia Cf. 2 Tm 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death

and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat

to the other side,

a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.

One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.

Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,

“My daughter is at the point of death.

Please, come lay your hands on her

that she may get well and live.”

He went off with him,

and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.

She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors

and had spent all that she had.

Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.

She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd

and touched his cloak.

She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”

Immediately her flow of blood dried up.

She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,

turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”

But his disciples said to Jesus,

“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,

and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

And he looked around to see who had done it.

The woman, realizing what had happened to her,

approached in fear and trembling.

She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.

Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking,

people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,

“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”

Disregarding the message that was reported,

Jesus said to the synagogue official,

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside

except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,

he caught sight of a commotion,

people weeping and wailing loudly.

So he went in and said to them,

“Why this commotion and weeping?

The child is not dead but asleep.”

And they ridiculed him.

Then he put them all out.

He took along the child’s father and mother

and those who were with him

and entered the room where the child was.

He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”

which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”

The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.

At that they were utterly astounded.

He gave strict orders that no one should know this

and said that she should be given something to eat.

Never Too Late

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062715.cfm) reminds me that it is never too late for God to work his power in us.

In the gospel, we see the slave who is very sick. Other people would just wait for the person to die. However, we see a centurion with great faith, not to mention genuine kindness towards others, even his slaves who were basically treated as traded goods at that time. By God’s grace and power, what the devil intended for death and destruction, was turned into something great and glorious for God, through the centurion. Amidst the worldly situation, the centurion had unwavering faith in Christ’s power over sickness and death, and we see his faith being rewarded. His faith is so great that we repeat his words everytime we celebrate the Holy Mass – “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;

only say the word and my servant will be healed”

The condition for a miracle is difficulty. A condition for a great miracle is impossibility

Jesus continued to work miracles in the gospel. He healed Peter’s mother in law, and he eventually healed everyone who came to him. in the first reading, we see that age is not a hindrance for God to use us. He will give Abraham and Sarah a child in their old age. No situation is too late or too impossible for God.

As we see Jesus showing us how powerful and loving God is, we are encouraged to be like the centurion. The centurion who genuinely cared for others, even his slaves, and showed great unwavering faith in God, especially during very difficult and seemingly impossible situations.

Is my faith based on the situations in life, or is my faith in God constant and unwavering? Do I let sickness overcome me, or do I have faith in the power of God over sickness? Who is the one person that comes into my mind as I read the gospel? Do I realize that God can use my faith to heal that person, no matter how impossible we may think the situation may be?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Lord, I thank you for your message today. Thank you for reminding me how loving and powerful you are. I ask that you help me have faith like the centurion. May I have faith in your word, may I have faith in your power no matter what the situation may be. Remind me, Lord, that nothing is impossible for you, and that you can use my faith to heal others. May you always be glorified. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/09/never-too-late.html

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June 27, 2015

Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 376

Reading 1 Gn 18:1-15

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the Terebinth of Mamre,

as Abraham sat in the entrance of his tent,

while the day was growing hot.

Looking up, he saw three men standing nearby.

When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them;

and bowing to the ground, he said:

“Sir, if I may ask you this favor,

please do not go on past your servant.

Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet,

and then rest yourselves under the tree.

Now that you have come this close to your servant,

let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves;

and afterward you may go on your way.”

The men replied, “Very well, do as you have said.”

Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah,

“Quick, three measures of fine flour!

Knead it and make rolls.”

He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer,

and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.

Then Abraham got some curds and milk,

as well as the steer that had been prepared,

and set these before them;

and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.

They asked him, “Where is your wife Sarah?”

He replied, “There in the tent.”

One of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year,

and Sarah will then have a son.”

Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, just behind him.

Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years,

and Sarah had stopped having her womanly periods.

So Sarah laughed to herself and said,

“Now that I am so withered and my husband is so old,

am I still to have sexual pleasure?”

But the LORD said to Abraham: “Why did Sarah laugh and say,

‘Shall I really bear a child, old as I am?’

Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do?

At the appointed time, about this time next year, I will return to you,

and Sarah will have a son.”

Because she was afraid, Sarah dissembled, saying, “I didn’t laugh.”

But he replied, “Yes you did.”

Responsorial Psalm Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50 and 53, 54-55

R. (see 54b) The Lord has remembered his mercy.

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

R. The Lord has remembered his mercy.

“For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.”

R. The Lord has remembered his mercy.

“He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.”

R. The Lord has remembered his mercy.

“He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.”

R. The Lord has remembered his mercy.

Alleluia Mt 8:17

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Christ took away our infirmities

and bore our diseases.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 8:5-17

When Jesus entered Capernaum,

a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,

“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.”

He said to him, “I will come and cure him.”

The centurion said in reply,

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;

only say the word and my servant will be healed.

For I too am a man subject to authority,

with soldiers subject to me.

And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes;

and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes;

and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,

“Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.

I say to you, many will come from the east and the west,

and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven,

but the children of the Kingdom

will be driven out into the outer darkness,

where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

And Jesus said to the centurion,

“You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.”

And at that very hour his servant was healed.

Jesus entered the house of Peter,

and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.

He touched her hand, the fever left her,

and she rose and waited on him.

When it was evening, they brought him many

who were possessed by demons,

and he drove out the spirits by a word and cured all the sick,

to fulfill what had been said by Isaiah the prophet:

He took away our infirmities

and bore our diseases.