A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 7:1-10)
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.”
In today’s Gospel, a Roman centurion has a servant who is gravely ill. The centurion, recognizing Jesus’ reputation as a healer, sends Jewish elders to request Jesus’ help. Although the centurion was a Gentile and part of the occupying Roman military, he demonstrates faith and humility in seeking the aid of Jesus. Luke tells us, in fact, that he loves the Jewish community and had built the synagogue for them. The centurion is confident in the chain of command and obedience, something he learned as a soldier who issues commands and follows them. So when he comes to Jesus to ask for his help, he is able to give wholehearted trust in Jesus’ authority.
Father in heaven, let me come to you with the same confidence and trust as the centurion. His words are the very words spoken during the Mass after the priest elevates the body of Christ in the sacred host and the chalice of the blood of Christ saying, “Behold the Lamb of God.” At this moment, Christ is present at the altar in the transubstantiation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. The congregation responds, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” When I say these words—and I have to stop to think about this—I am speaking to the same person of Christ that the centurion came to for divine assistance. Give me the grace, Lord, to recognize this the next time I am at Mass; that you are truly present. Just as you were amazed at the faith of the centurion, through your grace may I have the same absolute trust in the power of your word.
From the first reading: “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.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.