Lk 7:1-10
1When [Jesus] had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. 2A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. 3When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. 4They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, 5for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.”
6And 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. 7Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. 8For 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.” 9When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Reflection:
Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. The centurion recognizes an authority higher than his own. He bows down to a power greater than his. This is what amazes Jesus about the centurion. True faith is seen in real humility.
We pray the centurion’s words at every Mass, before communion: “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” It is both an act of faith and an act of humility. God cannot say no to such a disposition. He can only bless humble faith.
Offer your Mass and communion for a sick friend
or relative asking for your prayers.