From: Matthew 8:5-17
The Centurion’s Faith
A Number of Cures
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Commentary:
5-11. “Centurion”: an officer of the Roman army in control of one hundred men. This man’s faith is still an example to us. At the solemn moment when a Christian is about to receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the Church’s liturgy places on his lips and in his heart these words of the centurion, to enliven his faith: Lord, I am not worthy...”.
The Jews of this time regarded any Jew who entered a Gentile’s house as contracting legal impurity (cf. John 19:28; Acts 11:2-3). This centurion has the deference not to place Jesus in an embarrassing position in the eyes of His fellow Israelites. He shows that he is convinced that Jesus has the power over disease and illness; he suggests that if Jesus just says the word, He will do what is needed without having actually to visit the house; he is reasoning, in a simple, logical way, on the basis of his own professional experience. Jesus avails of this meeting with a Gentile believer to make a solemn prophecy to the effect that His Gospel is addressed to the world at large; all men, of every nation and race, of every age and condition, are called to follow Christ.
14-15. After his body—or soul—is healed, everyone is called to “rise up” from his previous position, to serve Jesus Christ. No laments, no delays; instead one should make oneself immediately available to the Lord.
16-17. The expulsion of evil spirits is one of the main signs of the establishment of the Kingdom of God (cf. Matthew 12:8). Similarly, the healing of diseases, which ultimately are the result of sin, is one of the signs of the “works of the Messiah” proclaimed by the prophets (cf. Isaiah 29:18; 35:5-6).
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