Word to the Wise
Monday, December 1, 2025 - 1st Week of Advent - Mon
[Isa 2:1-5 (or, in Year A, Isa 4:2-6) and Matt 8:5-11]"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." [Matthew]
These words of a Roman pagan centurion should sound familiar to us. We recite them at every celebration of the Eucharist or even when we receive the Eucharist outside of Mass. Their sheer familiarity can make them more a ritual than a profession of faith. It is that profession of faith that moves Jesus to grant the request of the centurion. The centurion wasn't required to recite a creed or sign any declaration. He didn't need Jesus to come in person to his house. Jesus' word would be sufficient, since he (the centurion) knew the power of a command.
Jesus contrasts the faith of the centurion with that of the people to whom he usually preached! Rejection or constant demand for "signs" characterized their lack of faith. He warns that the heavenly banquet with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - the fathers of Judaism - would include people like the centurion from all over the world - baptized or not! It is faith that makes the difference. We will see a similar comment in Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite woman later on in Matthew. [15:21-28].
Jesus was amazed by the faith of the centurion. Would our faith amaze him? AMEN
Comment on Reflection
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