Homily for Monday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel passage, the people knew they should be thoughtful of one another. Since the centurion had built the synagogue at Capernaum, the Jewish people told Jesus to perform the miracle of curing the centurion's servant. They were saying that, in a sense, He owed it to him. Likewise, as Jesus attained redemption for us by offering His life on the Cross, we owe kindness and compassion to those he loves and redeems.

The story about the centurion also shows the humility of both Jesus and the centurion. By his authority, the centurion could do whatever he desired. However, he realized that Jesus was holier and closer to God than he was; he saw himself as subordinate to Jesus, and rather than summoning Jesus and, seeing himself as unfit to approach Jesus, sent messengers to Him with his request; he did not want Jesus to go out of His way for him.

Jesus saw the faith and humility of the centurion and recognized his closeness to God. So, while there was no obligation, Jesus cured the centurion's servant.

Humility is at the core of faith, and faith is the foundation of all other virtues.