Reflection
Monday of the First Week of Advent
Isaiah 4:2-6
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9
Matthew 8:5-11
The Centurian displays great tact and faith in his encounter with Jesus in the Gospel today. He addresses Jesus respectfully, calling him Lord, explaining that he is most concerned for his servant. He beseeches Jesus for his help in healing the servant from his paralysis and pain. Jesus immediately responds that he will come to the home of the Centurian to heal the servant.
Entering the house of a Gentile would be considered off limits for a Jewish person, and so the Centurian, realizing the impropriety of this situation for Jesus, shows the depth of his faith by drawing a parallel between his own position of authority, where his orders are obeyed because he acts in the name of Caesar, with the power of Jesus, who acts on earth with the authority of God, saying that he believes that Jesus only needs to speak the words of healing from afar, and his servant would be healed.
Jesus is amazed and impressed at his faith. Jesus also uses this opportunity to proclaim that the Gospel is for all people, from East to West, from North and South. Commenting on this reading, St. Augustine reflected that the faith of the Centurian was a prophesy of the faith of the Gentiles, and was like the grain of mustard seed, small but powerful!
As we come to receive the Eucharist, we proclaim the words of the Centurian, hopefully with the same deep humility, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul will be healed.” Jesus rewards the humility of the Centurian by healing the servant instantly. His humility is the door through which Jesus enters.
This Advent, may we invite Jesus to enter through the door of our humility, to heal us from wounds of sin that paralyze us, and may we have faith that Jesus only has to say the word, and we will be healed.