Faith is Love in Action

Gospel: Mt 8:5-11
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120224.cfm

Let us celebrate this second date of Advent that we have a God who gives us love and mercy. Jesus’s love and mercy transcends the social norms of his time. While he can be critical of different groups and how they treat others, he still has compassion and care for them. Jesus came to free the oppressed which had him critical of the actions and behaviors of people in positions in power. He was critical of social structures of persecution (religious institutions, money, how the unhealthy were treated).

Centurions had wealth and power. Centurions were active participants in persecution.  This Centurion comes to Jesus in humility. He asks Jesus for healing, not for himself, but for his ailing servant. The Centurion in all his power does not have the ability to ease the suffering of his servant. He comes to Jesus out of compassion and love for another. He steps back from his position of dominance to care for one who has not been so privileged. The Centurion put himself in the position of serving his servant. His action was of service.

In so doing, the Centurion saw the difference of his position, that of Jesus, and that of his servant. He says, “Lord I am not worthy to receive you, only say the words and my servant shall be healed.” He came with a direct request and didn’t find himself worthy given his position of power and participation in institutions of power. He saw that Jesus transcended all of those structures and served something much deeper. Jesus saw equality in the shared humanity where the Centurion could not, but had a desire to. The Centurion’s advocacy went beyond a desire but was an expression of love through action. In seeking the healing of another beyond his own selfish need for them, the Centurion exemplified what it means to “love your neighbor.” 

True faith is acting in love for the needs of another. The Centurion didn’t profess a creed, commit himself to Jesus, or worship Jesus, instead, he approached Jesus with humility and out of love for another.

May we see the needs of others beyond our own need for them. Amen.