Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time, September 12th, we had this same Gospel reading but from the Gospel of Luke.
Today, let’s take a different approach. We will use the concept of “Turning the Diamond”. When the sunlight hits a diamond, it glistens and spreads an array of light and color around the room. In theological terms, it means to take a scripture passage and look at it in a different way than we normally would approach it. We turn the Diamond of the Scripture to see a different facet of light and find a new concept.
When Jesus said that he would come and heal the servant, the Centurion replied with the words that all Catholics know: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”
The Gospel tells us a lot about the Centurion. What can we learn?
First, he was a person who cared for others and treated them with respect. Even the Jewish leaders encouraged Jesus to help him. Luke tells us that “When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” Even though the Centurion was a Roman Officer, he respected the Jewish people and built a house of worship for them.
Second, he understood authority. As an officer in charge of 100 soldiers, he was used to giving commands and having those orders carried out immediately. He had slaves who responded to his desires and commands.
He obviously had heard about Jesus and knew that Jesus had authority over sickness, evil spirits and even death. The Centurion knew that Jesus could heal his servant.
Third, the Centurion knew that Jesus was who he said he was, the Son of God. He knew that Jesus had a power that even he, with all his power and authority, felt unworthy.
Let’s note how this Centurion, who was a Roman Officer, lived his life. We all know the suffering, pain and agony of Jesus’ Passion and Crucifixion. This was the brutal Roman way. Yet, despite the training and upbringing, this Centurion was different. Are we different from those in this world too?
Do we care for others and treat them with respect? Even those we don’t like, those we disagree with, or those who mistreat us?
Do we understand authority? Do we perform the tasks assigned to us at work willingly? Do we comprehend God’s authority over the universe and even each of us?
Do we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? Do we truly feel that we are as unworthy as the Centurion when we receive his body into ours in the Holy Eucharist? Do we have the faith of a Roman Centurion?
Together, let us pray those words: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
