Daily Word Of God
Luke 7:1b-4, 5b-8a, 9-10
Jesus went into Capernaum. A centurion there had a servant, a favourite of his, who was sick and near death. Having heard about Jesus he sent some Jewish elders to him to ask him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus they pleaded earnestly with him. ‘He deserves this of you,’ they said ‘because he is the one who built the synagogue.’
So Jesus went with them, and was not very far from the house when the centurion sent word to him by some friends: ‘Sir,’ he said ‘do not put yourself to trouble because I am not worthy to have you under my roof; and for the same reason I did not presume to come to you myself; but give the word and let my servant be cured. For I am under authority myself, and I have soldiers under me; and I say to one man, “Go” and he goes; to another, “Come here,” and he comes.
When Jesus heard these words he was astonished at him and, turning round, said to the crowd following him, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found faith like this.’ And when the messengers got back to the house they found the servant in perfect health.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- The Roman centurion was a high official with power. Yet, he came with humility to beg Jesus not so much for his personal needs or for his family, but for his servant.
- Servants in Jesus’ time had no legal rights and identity. Yet, this centurion was able to respect and accept his servant as a human person, and thus someone invaluable in his sight.
- When we too are able to see and promote this human respect and dignity with people we relate to especially those who are poor and marginalised in society, we are living our faith as Jesus has shown us; an inclusive faith that loves the way God loves.