Only Say The Word

The other day at work, a 19-year-old co-worker came to me and asked me shyly and in super hushed tones, “Can you please help me with something?” I said, “Of course.” She replied, “It’s super embarrassing.” I said, “What do you need?” “Can you please read me the Thanksgiving card from Betty (91-year-old resident) that is pinned on the bulletin board? It is written in cursive and I don’t know how to read cursive, but I really like Betty and want to know what her card says because it is written to all of the staff.” I was taken aback because I knew that cursive was no longer taught in schools, but I had never really experienced the affects of that. Essentially, this girl was illiterate in cursive and it was her “lack” that moved her to ask for help. It was a pretty courageous thing to admit that she could not read it and she could have let embarrassment or pride keep her from reaching out, but she knew that Betty’s thanksgiving was meant for all of us and she just needed help in receiving it. Her humility moved me so much and I found myself fighting back tears as I tenderly read Betty’s note to her. This girl truly wanted to know and experience Betty’s words and her inability to read it did not hold her back. She reached out to someone that she knew would help her, and her faith gave her courage.  

This sweet story captures the essence of today’s gospel. A Roman centurion came to Jesus. The centurion presents his needs to Jesus, which in itself would have been a pretty humiliating, but courageous effort. Romans just did not ask Jews for help. Jesus recognized his courage and immediately responds, “I will come and cure him.” Wouldn’t I love for that to be Jesus’ answer to all my prayer requests? The centurion says, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” When Jesus heard this, he was taken aback in amazement, and the faith and humility of this centurion allowed the release of healing on his servant. The centurion recognized that Jesus message was meant for all and his “lack” (not being Jewish) did not hinder him from asking to receive what he knew was also meant for his household. This centurion and my 19-year-old friend teach us that when we admit our lack to Jesus, he is always moved to fulfill it. Our humility gives his power and authority increase to be released not only to us personally, but to those around us. 

I pray that we come to Jesus today in our illiteracy, our unworthiness, and in our lack so that he can release his word of knowledge, worth, and healing over us. Let our faith stir up our courage to approach the one whose message and healing is meant for all of us and it is well with my soul. 

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Lectionary: 175

Reading 1 IS 2:1-5

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come,
The mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
That he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths."
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
One nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.

O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the LORD!

Responsorial Psalm PS 122:1-2, 3-4B, 4CD-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city 
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up, 
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel, 
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats, 
seats for the house of David. 
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! 
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls, 
prosperity in your buildings. 
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my relatives and friends
I will say, "Peace be within you!"
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Alleluia SEE PS 80:4

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come and save us, LORD our God;
let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 8:5-11

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."