In today’s Gospel, Matthew 8:5-11, a centurion comes to Jesus out of concern for his servant who is paralyzed and suffering greatly, and he asks for his healing. He comes with great humility and says, “Lord I am not worthy for you to enter under my roof”. Even though he has the power to command many that report to him, he also knows that he is subject to someone greater than he, Jesus. He also comes with great faith saying, “only say the word and my servant shall be healed”. Jesus tells the centurion, “in no one in Israel have I found such faith”.
Where are the centurions in our world today? Where are the people that hold great authority, yet are humble and know they are subject to God? Where are the people that would go to such great lengths for their servants? They are out there, but they are getting harder and harder to find these days. Humility and service are not traits honored in much of our world today. Look at the people our society calls the ‘heroes” of today. Think about the politicians, the celebrities, and athletes that are constantly in the news. Instead of humility we find narcissism, instead of selflessness we find selfishness, instead of serving others, we find them serving themselves.
What a very different world it would be if our heroes today were like this centurion. If our role models demonstrated this kind of humility and service. Let us pray that our world would find the role model of the centurion the one to be most valued. Let us try to live our lives so Jesus would look at us and say, “in no one have I found such faith”. This is what Jesus values most in us, and this is what will give us true happiness.
De Colores, Deacon Kevin
