Today, we heard the centurion’s plea for mercy “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed”, we recite each day we celebrate the Holy.
The Roman Centurion, a non-Jewish political leader, asked Jesus, a Jew, for help. With this plea for mercy, this soldier manifested his strong faith and trust. The Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant, and Jesus agreed.
What can we learn from his profound faith in Jesus? There are four things that are obvious from the passage. First, he acknowledges his worthiness in the present of Jesus. Second, he is confidence that Jesus can heal his servant, even by saying the word, and third, that Jesus can heal from a distance, so he does not need to “come into his house for the healing, and lastly, the Centurion was good to the Jewish people in Capernaum, as he was very favorable to Jewish religious worship, as some Jewish leaders testified, he help them in “building their synagogue.” This was why they advocated for Jesus to heal his servant (Luke 7).
Jesus was quite impressed with the Centurion faith. Hence, Jesus answered all that he requested. Jesus heals his servant and from a distance. Jesus also presented the Centurion as a model of faith for all “…..in no one in Israel have I found such faith.”
Each time we gather to celebrate the Most Holy Eucharist, we make our own the beautiful statement of faith from the centurion. We recognize and acknowledge our unworthiness to receive the precious body and blood of Jesus in the Holy Communion. We also ask and invite Jesus to come and heal us. This is the reason for advent. A time of waiting and a time of healing.
As we gather as God’s people during this season of grace, may relive the events of this encounter. May we ponder on the deep mystery of the Incarnation, that God became flesh in order to save us from sin and death.
At Mass, when the priest presents to us the Lord Himself truly present in His Most Precious Body and Blood with these words, “This is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.”
May we respond in faith and with faith, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.’
Have a wonderful week
