'SAY A WORD': THE CONFESSION OF FAITH BY THE CENTURION ON THE THE POWER OF THE WORDS OF JESUS.

The Gospel Reading of Monday of the First week of Advent speaks about the centurion whose faith was very much applauded by Jesus himself.  Though I have read this several times and heard in the Mass several times but as I listened on this day November 29, 2010, it gave me a different meaning.  And I started to reflect.  The centurion is not a Jew, He is Roman citizen. When he asked for help to cure his servant Jesus says that he will come in person and heal him.  Let us remember when the Canaanite women came pleading Jesus to cure her daughter Jesus says, “It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to the little dogs.” (Mt. 15:26) and refuses to help her telling that He came only to the people of Israel.  But, here, in this centurion’s case Jesus says that he himself will come and cure him.

The centurion though he has himself honored enough to welcome Jesus into his house he replied that he was not worthy to receive him under his roof then he goes on to explain about his authority and asks Jesus just to command, to say a word – which became the beautiful prayer that we recite in the Holy Mass every time.  Here I was struck with the words of centurion… why should he tell about his authority?  Was he boastful about his authority over his slaves? No, he just mentions to Jesus that if I, an ordinary man has such power for my words, how powerful the Words of Jesus.  That’s what he reminds to Jesus, that he is the Word Incarnate, the Word of the Father.  If an ordinary man speaks no one listens or obeys. But if a person in authoritative position commands even without his presence people obey.  Just the word of the commander in chief makes the soldier to obey even the commander is not present.  So, how much more Powerful would be the words of Jesus who is the King of the all universe.  Here, the Roman centurion teach me how powerful the Word of God, the Words of Jesus.  So, let us not disregard, or be careless regarding the promises of the Lord, or the Word of God.  Let us read the Bible every day and give a chance to Jesus to speak with us.  And let us pray with the centurion, “LORD I AM NOT WORTHY TO RECEIVE YOU (IN MY HEART) BUT ONLY SAY THE WORD AND I SHALL BE HEALED.” (Mt. 8:8)