Such Faith

I have always connected to the Centurion in today’s gospel because I have always felt a bit unworthy of God’s mercy. The good news is that Jesus has always shown up in the midst of those “feelings” and has made it clear that His infinite love for me is much bigger than anything that would deem me “unworthy.” Jesus longs to restore our covenant and 

The scene today begins with a Roman centurion who knew of Jesus and was friendly with the Jewish people. A beloved servant of his was ill and so he first went to the practicing religious elders for intercession. They asked Jesus on his behalf saying that he was deserving because he helped build their synagogue. Next, the centurion sent his friends to tell Jesus that he was unworthy to have him enter his home, but if He could just say “the word”, that would be enough to heal his beloved servant. His friends went on to convey to Jesus that the centurion understands the tremendous gift and responsibility that comes with authority and it is this complete reverence for Jesus’ and faith in His power that heals his servant. This Roman centurion had the kind of humility that all the faithful should strive to possess. His love for his employee moved his heart to ask for prayer from his friends, and ultimately his trust in “The Word” is what allowed healing to come into his house. 

How amazing and ironic is it, that we quote a Roman centurion (Romans executed Jesus) in our liturgy every day? And to me, it gets very personal when we say, “and MY soul shall be healed.” It is such a vulnerable statement, and yet somehow I feel like we glance over it because it has become so routine. When I pray this sentence now, I take a brief pause in my brain to listen for “The Word” He would give me that would heal my soul. I mean soul healing is the main thing for any of us to receive the more of God and so I want to do all I can to allow God into that place for restoration. Some words that have come to me during these mental pauses are: serve, hope, forgive, be, know, trust. Can one word heal my soul? 

I find it curious that Jesus does not give a word to the centurion’s friends, but He tells the crowd that He has never seen SUCH FAITH. Could it be that the word is not an utterance, but the person Himself? I think I just answered my own question. The Word is indeed JESUS and there is power in His Name if we just believe. May we learn from a non-religious centurion how to practice our faith, and may we come to The Word with complete humility so that our beloved ones and our own souls can be healed. It is well with my soul. 

Reading 1 1 TM 2:1-8

Beloved:
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,
petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,
for kings and for all in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life
in all devotion and dignity. 
This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
who wills everyone to be saved
and to come to knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God.
There is also one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as ransom for all.

This was the testimony at the proper time. 
For this I was appointed preacher and Apostle
(I am speaking the truth, I am not lying),
teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray,
lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. 

Responsorial Psalm PS 28:2, 7, 8-9

R.(6) Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.
Hear the sound of my pleading, when I cry to you,
lifting up my hands toward your holy shrine.
R.Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.
The LORD is my strength and my shield.
In him my heart trusts, and I find help;
then my heart exults, and with my song I give him thanks.
R.Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.
The LORD is the strength of his people,
the saving refuge of his anointed.
Save your people, and bless your inheritance;
feed them, and carry them forever!
R.Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.

Alleluia JN 3:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 7:1-10

When Jesus had finished all his words to the people,
he entered Capernaum.
A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die,
and he was valuable to him.
When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him,
asking him to come and save the life of his slave.
They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying,
"He deserves to have you do this for him,
for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us."
And Jesus went with them,
but when he was only a short distance from the house,
the centurion sent friends to tell him,
"Lord, do not trouble yourself,
for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.
Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you;
but say the word and let my servant be healed.
For I too am a person 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 at him
and, turning, said to the crowd following him,
"I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."
When the messengers returned to the house,
they found the slave in good health.