The heart of the Centurion

Our Gospel for today presents a very beautiful story, a story which was supposed to be usual but because of so many spirits moved by Jesus, became a story of the showcase of 3 theological values.

The story of the Centurion in Matthew’s account begins in the meeting of Jesus and the Centurion with the centurion asking Jesus to heal his ill household helper. It was supposed to be an ordinary meeting and healing scene. We have heard Jesus healing many people, and we heard many instances where Jesus met and heeded the plea of gentiles.

It was supposed to be usual encounter.

What made it special is the apparent love, compassion and charity of the Centurion towards his servant who was sick, that he dared to approach Jesus and ask for this favor. The value of love is obvious and because of this, this century is a person who is worthy of admiration. He loved his helper. He loved the lowly.

But what made it further special is the fact that the centurion did not only show love and compassion but also faith in Jesus, that Jesus could heal and the hope that Jesus could heal from afar just by simply willing it.

The centurions able to recognize the authority in Jesus and so he suggested a mode of healing.

But because of the love, faith and hope the centurion showed, he merited not only the healing of his servant, he merited not only what he came to ask for but he merited the admiration and countenance of Jesus.

In our preparation for the coming of the Lord, and as our way of living the spirit of the advent season, let us reflect upon the three most important virtues: faith, hope and love.