Humility and Faith

Gospel Reflection for December 4, 2023

“When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.’ He said to him, ‘I will come and cure him.’ The centurion said in reply, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.’” (Mt. 8:5-11 NABRE)

The Centurion in today’s Gospel exemplified immense humility, and trust and faith in the Lord. Not only did he recognize his unworthiness before the Lord, but he also trusted in the authority and power of Jesus to heal his servant from afar. What great virtue and faith!

How often do we carry ourselves in a spirit of pride, rather than in a spirit of humility? How often do we lack faith or trust in the Lord?

Whenever we are tempted to be prideful and arrogant, expecting God to serve us, rather than us serving God, we must remember to be like the centurion in today’s Gospel. We must approach Jesus humbly, remembering that He is the Lord, and He calls the shots, so to speak.

Further, whenever we are tempted to doubt the Lord, we must remember His limitless power and authority. May we have faith that the Lord will hear and answer our prayers, though He may not answer them as we expect.

So, like the centurion, we must grow in humility and faith!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    on your own intelligence do not rely;
  In all your ways be mindful of him,
    and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)