June 30, 2018

MT 8: 5-17

When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.”

The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.”

When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” And the servant was healed in that hour.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Asking for healing

There seem to be two sets of people in today’s Gospel reading: those who are healed of their afflictions and those who bring the sick to Jesus’ attention.  Jesus’ interaction with the centurion results in the physical healing of the man’s servant, and a powerful affirmation of faith from the Roman soldier.

There are times in our lives where we may play both of these roles in our relationship with God.  Sometimes we are in need of healing, mentally, physically, spiritually, or emotionally. Other times we may feel strong in our faith and seek out a deeper relationship with Christ.

What do we need to bring before God to ask for healing?  What is a way we can profess our faith today?

—The Jesuit Prayer team

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you healed the centurion’s servant, Peter’s mother-in-law, and countless others who were brought to you.  Heal us of whatever causes us harm. Just as the centurion’s faith caused him to seek your healing of his servant, may our faith be strong as we bring the needs of our world before you.  Amen.

—The Jesuit Prayer team