GOSPEL, Matthew (8: 5-17)

Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

⁵ When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him ⁶ and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” ⁷ And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” ⁸ The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” ¹⁰ When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. ¹¹ I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, ¹² while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³ And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” And the servant was healed in that hour.

Jesus Heals Many at Peter’s House

¹⁴ When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; ¹⁵ he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. ¹⁶ That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. ¹⁷ This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

 The Gospel of the Lord

 

REFLECTION

The favour granted by Jesus to the Roman centurion shows the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham for his seed and for all humanity.

A Roman centurion, a non-Jew, a pagan, even more, a member of the occupying foreign army, not only benefits from the life of Christ, but also leads Jesus to praise his sincere and deep faith.

Likewise, the Church of today must be a place open to everyone and a sign of hope and salvation for every man and woman today. Thus will be fulfilled Christ’s prediction: many will come from the east and the west and will sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven.

Humility is a prerequisite for faith. Let us trust in God, in Jesus Christ and his Word.

Faith and humility were decisive elements for the wonders that Jesus accomplished. Faith is the mainspring of our spiritual life; therefore, it is also the lever for our conversion.

Never did Jesus fail to heal those who approached him, filled with faith and confidence in his power. So let us not waste time, He has the authority to accomplish in us everything we need. – Let us believe in the Word of God, Let us live according to that Word.

Before we receive Jesus in Communion, let us prepare our hearts by imitating the Roman centurion saying, “Lord, I am not worthy for you to come into my abode, but say one word and I will be saved.”

  

PRAYER

Lord! We thank you that Christ is always present and encourages us with the presence of your Spirit, never leaving us alone in the midst of danger.

Allow us discover You Lord, in the midst of our, failures and aspirations, frustrations and anxieties, weariness and hope. Amen.