Jesus is impressed by the faith of the centurion in our Gospel. He does not often remark positively about someone’s faith, so this is significant. His expression is the template for our response at Mass. “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed” (Matt 8:8). What is so profound about this faith?
When the centurion approaches Jesus, he does not presume that the Lord will heal his servant. He simply expresses his need, trusting that Jesus will know what to do: “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully” (Matt 8:6). It is Jesus who offers to cure him: “I will come and cure him” (Matt 8:7). The centurion is detached from the result of his prayer, as far as his own desires are concerned. He prays to the Savior knowing that He has the power to heal, but not presuming that He will heal. In imitating this posture, we ought to bring our needs before God with a certain disinterest in the outcome. God is God, and He will do what is best.
But Jesus does offer to heal the servant, and the centurion accepts. Notice how he does so: “Lord, I am not worthy . . . only say the word and my servant will be healed”. He recognizes that, even when God deigns to heal his servant, he does not deserve this favor. He remains humble and gracious, but he does not deny the Lord’s gift. When we receive God’s gifts, we ought to recognize that we are not owed any of them and be gracious for what we have received, even if it doesn’t come as we expected.
The centurion continues: “For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes” (Matt 8:9). He believes that Jesus can heal his servant because he knows the power of authority. The word of a person with authority is powerful. The centurion’s servants know that his commands are effective, and the centurion believes this of Jesus, too. Carrying this forward to the Mass, we understand that Jesus’ words at the Last Supper are effective: “This is My Body”; “This is My Blood.” God is the highest authority, and what He says will happen surely happens, just by speaking the words. Nothing else is needed.
Inspired by the faith of the centurion, we recognize that Jesus appreciates a humble, gracious faith that trusts in the truth and authority of Christ to accomplish His will for His glory.
Jesús se impresiona por la fe del centurión en el Evangelio de hoy. No suele hacer comentarios positivos sobre la fe de alguien, y por eso es significativo. Sus palabras son el modelo para la respuesta que damos en la Misa. “Señor, yo no soy digno de que entres en mi casa; con que digas una sola palabra, mi criado quedará sano” (Mt 8,8). ¿Por qué Jesús considera tan profunda su fe?
Cuando el centurión se acerca a Jesús, no toma por hecho que el Señor sanará a su siervo. Simplemente expresa su necesidad, confiando en que Jesús sabrá qué hacer: “Señor, tengo en mi casa un criado que está en cama, paralítico, y sufre mucho” (Mt 8,6). Es Jesús quien se ofrece a curarlo: “Voy a curarlo” (Mt 8,7). El centurión no se preocupa por el resultado de su oración, en lo que respecta a sus propios deseos. Ora al Salvador sabiendo que Él tiene el poder de sanar, pero no presumiendo que Él lo hará. Al imitar esta postura, debemos presentar nuestras necesidades ante Dios con cierto desinterés en el resultado. Dios es Dios y hará lo que sea mejor.
Pero Jesús se ofrece a sanar al siervo, y el centurión acepta. Observe cómo lo hace: “Señor, yo no soy digno…con que digas una sola palabra, mi criado quedará sano”. Reconoce que, incluso cuando Dios se digna sanar a su siervo, no merece este favor. Sigue siendo humilde y amable, pero no niega el don del Señor. Cuando recibimos los dones de Dios, debemos reconocer que no se nos debe ninguno de ellos y ser amables con lo que hemos recibido, incluso si no llega como esperábamos.
El centurión continúa: “Porque yo también vivo bajo disciplina y tengo soldados a mis órdenes; cuando le digo a uno: ‘¡Ve!’, él va” (Mt 8,9). Cree que Jesús puede sanar a su siervo porque conoce el poder de la autoridad. La palabra de una persona con autoridad es poderosa. Los sirvientes del centurión saben que sus órdenes son eficaces, y el centurión también cree en esto de Jesús. Al trasladar esto a la Misa, entendemos que las palabras de Jesús en la Última Cena son eficaces: “Este es mi Cuerpo”; “Esta es mi Sangre”. Dios es la máxima autoridad, y lo que Él dice que sucederá, seguramente sucederá, con solo pronunciar unas palabras. No se necesita nada más.
Inspirados por la fe del centurión, reconocemos que Jesús aprecia una fe humilde y benévola que confía en la verdad y la autoridad de Cristo para cumplir Su voluntad para Su gloria.
David Dashiell is a freelance author and editor in the Nashville, Tennessee area. He has three children, a degree in theology, and enjoys writing about philosophy, theology, culture, music, and comedy. You can find his personal blog, Serious Daydreams, on Substack. He is also the editor of the anthology Ever Ancient, Ever New: Why Younger Generations Are Embracing Traditional Catholicism, available through TAN Books.
Feature Image Credit: James Tissot, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/the-confession-of-the-centurion-7942/
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