Readings
I - 1 Cor. 11: 17-26, 33
II - Lk. 7: 1-10
HEAL THE WORLD
The centurion was not a Jewish but by his profession commanded a hundred soldiers and had power and authority over them. The centurions were loyal to the Romans and were hence enemies to the Jews. The centurion the Gospel passage of the day was compassionate and considerate. He had a synagogue built for the Jews. He was kind to the slave who was sick and at the point of death. He sent some Jewish elders to Jesus pleading for a healing. When Jesus went with them to heal him, he sent his friends to tell Jesus that he was unworthy to behold him but to heal the slave with a word. A tremendous expression of faith that astounded Jesus himself to point of appreciation to the centurion and healing to the slave.
The humanity and kindness of the centurion towards his slave, his undaunted faith in the Jewish Rabbi, Jesus and the pleading and recommendation of the Jewish elders brought healing to the centurion’s slave. In the light of the Gospel passage of the day let us resolve to be human in our approach towards our neighbours, intercede for each other to God in faith and intend to do good to others with the vested power with us so that we might be persons of healing in the wounded world of today. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, Give me a sensitive hearth to empathise with others”.
