The central figure in today’s reading is the centurion who gives us several points for our reflection, but let us just dwell on two of them. First, the virtue of faith. As an officer in the Roman army, he certainly knew what authority meant. It was because of his very strong faith in the authority of Jesus that he said – “Just speak the word and my servant will be healed.” All of us have, at some time in our lives, experienced moments of desolation. How much faith did we have, to firmly believe and be confident that Jesus has complete power and control over our seemingly hopeless situation?
Second point – the Christian meaning of love. During those times, a slave was looked upon almost like someone who could be disposed of in any manner as the master pleased. The love demonstrated by the centurion for his ailing slave serves as a strong point for reflection in our personal relationships with all our brothers and sisters in whatever status of life. It brings to mind an incident about a friend whose housemaid had to leave her son in the province in order to work in Manila. While she was at work, her son became gravely ill and had to be hospitalized. This friend told his maid that her son would be in his prayers, and that in the morning, she could use his van to fetch her son to avail of medical attention in Manila. The following morning, her that her son’s fever had subsided. Shades of the love, generosity, and faith of the centurion!