Gospel
Luke 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 crow 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.
Sermon
My brothers and sisters in Christ, today's Gospel passage presents us with a remarkable story of faith and humility. A centurion, a Roman military officer, approaches Jesus through the elders of the Jews, seeking healing for his valued slave. But what strikes Jesus is not the centurion's authority or power, but his humility and faith.
The centurion recognizes his own unworthiness to receive Jesus into his home, and instead asks Jesus to simply "say the word" to heal his slave. He understands the authority of Jesus, and trusts that his word is enough to bring healing.
Jesus is amazed by the centurion's faith, declaring that he has not found such faith even in Israel. This is a startling statement, given the centurion's status as a Gentile. But Jesus sees beyond the centurion's exterior and recognizes the depth of his faith.
This story challenges us to reflect on our own faith. Do we approach God with humility and trust, recognizing our own unworthiness? Or do we try to earn God's favor through our own efforts?
The centurion's faith is not based on his own merits, but on his recognition of Jesus' authority and power. He understands that he is subject to authority, just as Jesus is subject to the Father.
May we be inspired by the centurion's example to cultivate humble faith in our own lives. May we recognize our own unworthiness and trust in Jesus' word to bring healing and redemption.
Prayer
Let us pray: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty, merciful, and loving God, we come before you, humbled by the example of the centurion's faith. We recognize our own unworthiness and ask for the gift of humble faith. Help us to trust in Jesus' authority and power, and to seek healing and redemption through his word.
Forgive us for trying to earn your favor through our own efforts, and teach us to rely on Jesus' merits alone. We pray for the ability to recognize and follow Jesus' authority, and to submit to his will.
Thank you for the centurion's example, which shows us that faith is not limited to a particular group or status. We pray for the ability to see beyond exteriors and to recognize the depth of faith in others.
May we be inspired by the centurion's faith to cultivate humility and trust in our own lives. May we bring our needs and concerns to Jesus, trusting in his power to heal and redeem.
In Jesus' most holy name we pray, Amen.
Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Rev. Fr. Jhimerson Maneclang,SCJ