Mt 8:5-11
5When [Jesus] entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, 6saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” 7He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” 8The 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.
9For 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.” 10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.”
Reflection:
In no one in israel have I Found such faith. There is nothing automatic in this life. While love is freely given, not forced or coerced, respect is earned. Forgiveness does not come easy. One struggles through it and learns it slowly. The centurion’s faith is the fruit of the process he has learned through his life-giving commands to his subordinates. His concern for his sick servant may be the product of the servant’s daily devotion to the centurion.
Salvation will not be given automatically to the children of the kingdom but may develop among the many from the east and west whose faith grows amazingly.
Surprise your family with your subservient attitude today.