Gospel Delights!

Monday, September 18, 2023

1 Tim 2:1-8; Lk 7:1-10

Jesus’ astonishment about the centurion’s faith in today’s gospel makes him an example of imitation for us.

The centurion’s gesture to seek his slave’s healing from Jesus is unusual. The fact that the centurion did not wish to dispose of the sick slave as it was the custom of the day bespeaks his goodness. 

Moreover, the centurion’s goodness has a faith dimension. His knowledge of Jesus leads to his faith in Jesus. It is in strong faith that he sends the Jewish elders to convince Jesus to come to his house to perform the healing. 

The Jewish elders speak highly of the centurion and compel Jesus to heal his slave. They testify to his goodness. They convince Jesus that the centurion’s request is deserving of his support.  

All along, we find the centurion very humble. For instance, even when the Jewish elders praise his qualities to Jesus, he considers himself unworthy. 

The centurion’s faith in Jesus’ authority offers an amazing example of discipleship. The unquestioning obedience that he enjoys with his limited authority over 100 soldiers helps him magnify the unlimited authority of Jesus, in a way nobody has done before.

Though a gentile and foreigner, the centurion acknowledges the lordship of Jesus. 

Jesus is astonished at the testimony of the centurion’s faith and praises him. 

It is only right and just that Christ has so willed that we shall always profess our faith in the Eucharistic Lord by uttering the words of the centurion!

How happy are we to learn our faith from someone who was not Jesus’ follower! 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar