Reflection for December 1
William, age 4.5
This reading has many messages for us! The first is that the Centurion, a man of power and authority who rules over people, risked his stature by showing both his faith and humility by asking Jesus for help.
Do we have the faith and humility to ask Jesus for help and trust that he will hear our call?
The second message is from Jesus Himself when He comments on the humility and faith of the Centurion and offers to go and cure the enslaved person. He does not for a moment wonder, doubt, or question the person asking for the favor or the favor itself.
Are we open to requests of others and likely to respond as Jesus did without questioning?
The third message is from the enslaved person himself. He is near death and is favored by the Centurion. Slaves in that time were used to being mistreated and disrespected…yet the Centurion displayed compassion toward him and asked Jesus to cure him, regardless of the risk in what others might think or say.
Do we have the courage to take a risk and stand up for the immigrant, the refugee, or people different from us?
And lastly, we are invited to both the Eucharist and to the Kingdom. So, it is in the spirit of that Centurion that we humbly share the words, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof; only say the word and I shall be healed.”
Beth Malley