Come Down Lord

When I was still in the minor seminary, there was a song I loved so much, and we used to sing it often at Mass during the Communion. The title of the song is “Come Down Lord.” It was written by the Medical Mission Sister, Miriam Therese Winter, and was said to have been released on September 30, 1966. The song draws inspiration from Matthew 8:6-8, where a centurion invites Jesus to come and heal his sick servant, and at the same time recognise his unworthiness for the Master to come to his house. A similar episode is that of the Gospel of today (John 4:43-54) where an official from the king’s court invites Jesus to come down and heal his sick son. The plea of the official is touching: “Come down! It’s life or death for my son” (John 4:49).

Anguish and Desperation

From the request of the official, I can only imagine the overwhelming anguish and desperation he feels, just like any other parent would feel at the sight of their child sick. Writing this reflection, I could not stop thinking about many parents who are presently experiencing anguish, sorrow, and despair because their children are seriously sick, and I send them prayers of comfort and healing for their sick ones. Do not despair or become despondent. Believe in the power of Jesus to heal and save.

Solace and Hope

I would like to share with our readers the lyrics of the song I mentioned above. Further, I see in the song a powerful prayer of supplication and a plea for healing. I usually sing it whenever I am called to visit and pray for a sick child. It brings some sort of comfort and hope, especially with its heart-warming melody. It is a profound expression of faith, trust, and healing.

I remember one day I visited a family to pray for their sick child. As I began to sing the song, the parents of the child joined, and the mom suddenly burst out in tears. When we were through with the prayer, they told me that they felt some inner peace and serenity singing the song, which they learnt during their high school days; they both attended a Mission school. Of course, their son recovered after a few weeks of treatment at the hospital.

Lyrics

We can pray with the song’s lyrics:

Come down, Lord, my Son is ill; Wracked with fever the live long day. He is life to me, if You will, Drive death away, drive death Away.

Refrain:

Lord Do Not Come To My House, I’m Unworthy, Speak And The Promise Is Sealed; For When Your Word, O Lord Is Spoken, He Shall Be Healed, He Shall Be Healed.

Come Down, Lord, my soul is ill, Wracked with anguish, the live long day; All my sorrowing will be still, If you but stay, if you but stay. R/.

Come Down, Lord, this world is ill, Wracked with bloodshed, the live long day. Man must struggle for peace, until, You show the way, you show the way. R/.

We pray for all the sick; we pray for our sick souls; we pray for our sick world. Come down Lord and heal us. Amen.

[Readings: Is 65:17-21; Jn 4:43-54]