Yesterday, we covered the beatitudes as a reminder to practice humility, live for others, and to hope for the future. Today we see those virtues lived out with the Centurion and a sinful widow’s Faith. Between those two sections Jesus sends word to John the Baptist about what is happening.
Confirmation of What to Hope For
“‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.'”
This passage of hope comes sandwiched between miraculous healing and forgiveness of sins. First Jesus heals Centurion’s slave and a widow’s son. Then we hear Jesus proclaim hope for the world similar to that of the beatitudes – those who suffer won’t any longer when He is there. We can trust that, through Jesus, our difficulties will be made easy.
The Centurion’s Faith
The Centurion, a commander of 100 men, knew what it was to have authority. He also knew what it was to trust that your command will be carried out.
We say these words ourselves every Sunday at mass. In their full context of scripture, they are given even more meaning.
“Lord… I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof…
but say the word and let my servant be healed.”Luke 7:6-7
I knew that these were the words of the centurion, but what I find really interesting is that he is not the one speaking them to Jesus. The Centurion is not even standing in front of Jesus. Rather, the words are a message being passed on to Jesus through his friends. His humility extended even to allowing his friends to carry the message on his behalf, and he still had faith that it would be done.
The words are a literal example of intercessory prayer.
Realizing this will change the experience of saying this prayer at mass. Not only do the words express our trust in Jesus, but also in the Saints and Mary who can carry our words to Him when we are feeling distant. When we don’t feel worthy that Jesus come under our roof, we can pass these words through our friends and still have faith that He will heal us.
A Sinful Woman’s Faith
Lastly, the woman who sinned also showed extraordinary faith. However, in a completely opposite way.
“A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.'”
Luke 7:36-39
Every time I think I have heard a Gospel story, I am proven wrong. When I actually read it, something new inevitably shows up to me.
Remember how the Centurion, who has all this power and authority, lowered himself by saying he wasn’t even worthy for Jesus to come under his roof? Now picture this woman, who apparently everyone knows is a sinner publicly. Not only does she elevate herself to approach Jesus, but he is in the house of a man who does not like her at all. She enters the home, goes to the dining room, and falls as Jesus’ feet.
When the woman washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, I always felt it was a bit extreme. Yet, she walked right into this pharisee’s home, while he is hosting a dinner that she wasn’t invited to! After that, wiping her tears with her hair does not seem so intense.
Jesus Changes Us
Jesus is the perfection of all things. He is The example of virtue. If we want to be like Jesus, he will bring us closer to that virtue which lies between extremes.
The Centurion, aware of his power in the physical world, must have heard the beatitudes and realized that the spiritual world will require him to humble himself. The woman also must have heard Jesus’ teaching and knew that through Jesus she would find comfort, regardless of who or what hates her.
Both of these people displayed tremendous faith in Our Lord. If we trust in Him, we will continue to follow His example through Advent until his coming again, or until we meet him at our death.
St. John the Baptist, messenger before Christ, Pray for us to have faith and hope!
Today also happens to be St. Nicholas of Myra’s Feast day, so happy St. Nick’s! St. Nick, pray for us to have a good rest of Advent.
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