A seminary lecturer once joked in class that, when we finally get to heaven after our death, Jesus will ask us, why are you here alone? Where are the others . . . your brothers and sisters who were with you in your life, your family, relatives and friends? Did you bring anybody along with you? There is a ring of truth to what the lecturer said. Our relationship with God reflects on our relationship with others. Today's first reading, psalm and the Gospel have one strong common theme, that is, your prayers must also be for others. In the first reading, St Paul stresses that there should be prayers for everyone for God wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. In the responsorial psalm the psalmist, while praying that the Lord will hear his cry as he calls for help also prays that the Lord will save His people and shepherd them. In the Gospel, the centurion seeks out Jesus and asks nothing but a word from Him to heal his servant who is near death. The centurion being a friend of the Jewish people had helped them in the past. The Jewish elders considered him worthy of Jesus' help because of this. However, the centurion himself did not mention his deeds or consider himself worthy. He had faith and that was enough for Jesus. It does not take much to remember our sisters and brothers in our prayers. We only need to have faith. Perhaps then we can say to the Lord when we reach destiny's end, "Lord, I have not come alone."