A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 8:5-11
5 When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him,
6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.”
7 He said to him, “I will come and cure him.”
8 The 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.
9 For I too am a man 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.”
10 When 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.
11 I 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: From the east and the west
The Israelites believed themselves to be the people of God. Yet they often turned away from Him and committed great sins particularly the worship of other gods. When He sent His only Son, they refused to believe in Him. It took a pagan foreigner, the centurion, to express great faith in Him. What an irony indeed! So Jesus told them that many people from outside their country (from the east and the west) will dine with their ancestors at the banquet in heaven.
As believers of Jesus for a long time, let us never arrogate unto ourselves the idea that we alone can be saved. The notion that there is no salvation outside the church is no longer accepted as true. In fact, we should never think that we are holier than those outside our circle. It could be the other way around as shown in the story of the centurion. If we are humble and open enough, the very people whom we look down can be our teachers in matters of faith.
Therefore in humility, let us acknowledge our own unworthiness because we are weak and wicked sometimes. Many times we waver in our faith especially when we are confronted with great suffering. Let us therefore ask Jesus to help us that we may have the faith of the centurion.
If we are humble and persevering enough, Jesus will fulfill His promise of journeying with us. The Holy Spirit will come to our aid and grant us the power to become witnesses. Thus we become His co-workers to bring all people, including those from the east and the west, under the lordship of the Savior of mankind – Jesus Christ.
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The story of the centurion offers a profound lesson about faith, humility, and the nature of God’s kingdom. As Jesus enters Capernaum, a Roman centurion who is a man of power and authority, approaches Him with an urgent plea: his servant is paralyzed and suffering greatly. What stands out is not just the centurion’s concern for his servant but the extraordinary faith he demonstrates in Jesus’ ability to heal.
The centurion doesn’t ask Jesus to come to his house or perform any elaborate ritual. Instead, he says, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed”. This statement reveals two important things: his humility and his faith.
As a Roman officer, the centurion holds significant authority, commanding soldiers and servants with a word. Yet, he recognizes that Jesus holds an even greater authority: one that operates in the spiritual realm. This is remarkable because, despite being a Gentile and an outsider to the Jewish faith, he understands who Jesus is better than many of those around Him.
Jesus’ response to the centurion’s faith is equally powerful. He marvels and says, “Truly, I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith”. The centurion’s faith transcends cultural and religious boundaries, demonstrating that God’s kingdom is open to all who believe, regardless of their background.
This story invites us to reflect on our own faith. Do we truly trust in Jesus’ authority and power, even when the situation seems impossible? The centurion’s example teaches us to approach God with confidence, not because of our worthiness but because of His. Faith isn’t about having all the answers or being perfect; it’s about trusting in the One who is.
Furthermore, the centurion’s humility is a reminder of how we should approach God. He acknowledges his unworthiness, yet he boldly asks for Jesus’ help. This balance of humility and faith is key to a vibrant relationship with God. When we recognize our dependence on Him, we open the door for His power to work in our lives.
Finally, Jesus’ words about the kingdom of heaven challenge us to widen our perspective. He speaks of people coming from the east and west to take their place in the kingdom, illustrating that faith and not heritage or privilege determines our inclusion in God’s family. This is a call to embrace others, breaking down barriers of culture, race, and background.
The centurion’s story encourages us to deepen our faith, approach God with humility, and extend His love to all. In moments of doubt or difficulty, let’s remember that Jesus is still the same today, full of compassion, power, and a willingness to respond to our faith. Like the centurion, may we trust in His word and stand in awe of His authority, knowing that with Him, all things are possible.
Read further reflection on the faith of the centurion here.
