Readings: I - Gen. 18: 1-15
II - Mt. 8: 5-17
JESUS HEALS A CENTURION’S SERVANT
Power of words and power of faith surpasses proximity of time and place is the central theme of the Gospel message today. The centurion though was a gentile was convinced that the word of the Lord has absolute authority of command to accomplish its purpose and would heal his servant - the power of word. He recognizes that Jesus was someone great and calls Him “Lord” which also means master while the learned and the cleaver of Israel failed to recognise this identity of Jesus - power of faith. The power of the words of Jesus and the power of the faith of the centurion finally heals the servant.
Words spoken can be a prayer, a blessing, a curse, an appreciation, a deterrence, a praise, a gossip, a truth or a lie. Words can heal, hurt, build, break, confront, console, frustrate and encourage. Words have such power and would definitely have their own effect and impact. The words of Jesus was always life giving, life promoting and life enhancing. In this light let us examine the quality of our words. St. James in his epistle says, “The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits” (Jas. 3:5). Let our tongues be trained to testify that we are children of God in the words that we use and utter for every word we utter has a great power.
Do we, like the centurion realise that God can do all things in our lives. In the letter to the Hebrews we read, “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). In our every turn and turbulence of our life let us hope in the Lord for “all things are possible to him who believes” (Mk. 29:3). Take some time to sit back and cherish on the marvelous work of the Lord in our lives, it would just be amazing. It’s worth trusting him than any other thing or person. May the Lord gift us with His faith for a happy and joyful life as we in the silence of our heart repeat saying, “Lord Jesus increase my faith in you’
