Monday 28th November 2022. Read Isaiah 4:2-6, Ps. 122:1-2,4-5,6-9, Matthew 8:5-11
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8)
Come Lord Jesus the light is dying, the night keeps crying: Come, Lord Jesus. Christ, come quickly, there’s danger at the door, poverty aplenty, hearts gone wild with war, there is hunger in the city, and famine on the plain. Come, Lord Jesus. Advent is a moment to call on Jesus like the Centurion who cried to Jesus: “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress” (Matthew 8:6)
The Centurion displayed an attitude of humility. He recognized that Jesus is the king of the world, the only commander who only needs to say the word and it would be done. The Centurion, despite being a soldier in charge of a hundred did not consider his house worthy enough to receive Jesus.
Humility is not a matter of thinking less of ourselves, it is thinking big of God. Let us strive to adopt this beautiful mindset this advent season. Consider it a privilege each time you go down on your knees to talk to God, know that you are talking to the King of kings and Lord of lords.
The Centurion’s faith was unshakable. He said to Jesus, “only say your word and my servant will be healed.” He recognized the power of the spoken word; the power by which the whole world was made. Let us ask ourselves: “How deep is my faith in the power of God’s words?” We can know the extent of our faith by examining our eagerness to pray and how relieved we are after prayer.
The Centurion’s action teaches us an important lesson in caring for our workers. The Centurion was in charge of a hundred soldiers yet he found time to come looking for Jesus because of one servant; not even his son or a soldier. How lucky this servant was to have had such a good master. Can those working for me say the same about me?
As we prepare to welcome Jesus this Christmas, let us remember that the same Jesus who was born in a manger, is the same Jesus who said: “When I was hungry, you gave me no food, sick and in prison and you did not come to visit me.” Christmas is, first of all, a celebration of love and if I don’t show love to those less than me, I have failed Jesus.
This encounter between Jesus and the Centurion gives us a glimpse of what God has in mind for us in sending his son Jesus to be born as a man and live among us. The healing of the centurion’s servant is part of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in today’s first reading.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, bring us healing and teach us to trust you like the Centurion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 1st week of Advent. Bible Study: Isaiah 4:2-6, Ps. 122:1-2,4-5,6-9, Matthew 8:5-11)
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu
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