Homily for September 16, 2019

The words we hear from the mouth of the Roman Centurion in today’s Gospel passage are echoed in the Communion Rite of the Mass when we say, “LORD, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof…” When the Centurion spoke to Jesus, he spoke as a pagan who was concerned for Jesus; he did not want Jesus who, of course, was Jewish, to be in violation of the Jewish Law by entering the house of a pagan. The Centurion also showed great faith in the life-giving power of Jesus’ word. Jesus acknowledged his remarkable faith and declared it to be greater than any faith He had found in Israel.

Today’s Gospel passage teaches us that the least likely person can come to possess faith in Jesus and in His power to heal and to save. Part of this lesson is that we should be very slow to judge who is and who is not a person of faith. God knows what is in the heart of every person. The words of this Centurion inspire us every time we receive the Eucharist. May we strive to always grow in our faith and to inspire others by it. +