Daily Word Of God
Luke 7:2-3, 6-9
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. So Jesus went with them, and was not very far from the house when the centurion sent word to him by some friends to say to him, ‘Sir, do not put yourself to any trouble because I am not worthy to have you under my roof; and that is why I did not presume to come to you myself; let my boy be cured by your giving the word. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man, “Go,” and he goes; to another, “Come here,” and he comes; to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’
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 as great as this.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- In today’s Gospel Jesus commends the Centurion for his extraordinary faith and confidence in God. Jesus immediately grants his request to heal his beloved servant.
- As a Roman officer the centurion risked the ridicule and mockery of his fellow officers and the Jews for seeking help from Jesus the Jewish preacher and prophet. Yet he approached Jesus with confidence and humility.
- Are we willing to suffer ridicule in the practice of our faith? Ask Jesus to increase our faith so that, like the centurion, we will be freer to love and serve others regardless of who they are especially the poor.