Isaiah 2:1-5
Matthew 8:5-11
BE HUMBLE AS YOU GROW IN FAITH
Many of the Lord’s most wonderful deeds were done in Capernaum. An outstanding demonstration of His power and Godhead was exhibited there; and yet, in the final analysis, that city rejected him! In today’s Gospel, we have a display of great humility from a Centurion. He approached Jesus for the sake of his ill servant. Christ wanted to go to his house but he took a quick appraisal of the situation, and in a marvelous demonstration of true humility, confessed his unworthiness that the Holy One should come into his house. According to St. Augustine, the centurion having met Christ “counted himself unworthy that Christ should enter his doors, he was counted worthy that Christ should enter into his heart. He said; Lord I am not worthy to have you under my roof but only say the word. “Only say the word’ are words of faith.
Even today, there are some Christians who feel that Christ could do more on earth if He were personally present as in some millennial reign; but the centurion properly understood that the physical presence of the Lord was not necessary for the accomplishments of any of his wise designs. By implication, he recognized Christ as the Great Commander, the chief authority, not merely of the earth but of heaven also, and having under his authority all things, even the things of the unseen creation. Thus, the centurion’s faith contrasted sharply with the lack of it in the Jewish leaders who, although they should have been the first to recognize Christ and believe in him, were nevertheless his carping critics and sworn enemies.
Jesus’ first comment was directed toward that shameful and tragic condition. It was, then and there, announced by Jesus that the Gentiles would be received into the kingdom of God and that many “sons of the kingdom,” that is, Jews, would not enter. We too must grow beyond our limited faith into totally trusting in His saving love and providence. We must come to the sincerity of heart that only God helps us and only He can turn things around for our good.
Fr Joseph Osho