Word to the Wise
Monday, November 28, 2022 - 1st Week of Advent - Mon
[Isa 2:1-5 (or, in Year A, Isa 4:2-6) and Matt 8:5-11]When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, "Lord my servant is ying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." [Jesus] 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." [Matthew]
Faith is where you find it! The centurion was presumably a pagan soldier, required to consider the Roman emperor as divine! Yet, he must have heard of Jesus' ministry and reached out to him. What is striking, however, is his faith in Jesus' word. Jesus did not have to make a "house call." His word would be sufficient. After all, the centurion points out, his own word of command gets results. Why shouldn't Jesus' word do the same? This kind of faith amazes Jesus! He contrasts it with the resistance he is getting from his own Jewish people!!
Hmmmm.....would we be willing to accept that kind of "word" from our doctor? (Not that house calls exist anymore!). Would our faith "amaze" Jesus? Another Advent season has arrived, along with all the commercial hoopla of Christmas shopping. Is Jesus' word loud enough to be heard over all the cultural baggage of "the holiday season?" What can we do to "focus" on the majestic prophetic words of Isaiah? Is our hope greater than the gifts under the tree? Does that tree command more attention than the "nativity set?"
The centurion was brave to show faith in Jesus' ability to heal. Can we be "brave" enough to focus more intently on Advent and its reflection on the hope of healing for our own spirits and needs? The best gifts to pray for in this season will not be under the tree but in the faces of all our loved ones who reach out to us for what healing WE can bring! AMEN