Faith and humility are key elements to receive God’s blessing

1Cor 11:17-26.33; Psalm: 39; Lk 7:1-10

In Luke 7:1-10, we are presented with the story of the Roman centurion who displays great faith in Jesus by asking him to heal his servant. This passage is a beautiful reflection on the power of faith and the importance of humility. The centurion, a man of authority and power, humbles himself before Jesus, recognizing him as a greater authority and healer than himself. This gesture of humility is what catches Jesus’ attention and prompts him to commend the centurion for his great faith.

This story serves as a reminder that faith is not exclusive to those who are deemed religious or righteous in the eyes of society. The centurion was a Gentile, an outsider by Jewish standards, yet his faith in Jesus transcended societal boundaries. It is a powerful message that faith is accessible to all who seek it, regardless of their background or status.

The centurion’s humility is also worth noting. Despite his position of power and authority, he does not let pride stand in the way of seeking help from Jesus. He acknowledges his own limitations and submits himself to the greater authority of Jesus. This act of humility is what leads to the healing of his servant and earns him praise from Jesus.

As St. Augustine once said, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of the centurion’s faith in this passage. Despite not physically seeing Jesus perform the healing, the centurion’s unwavering belief in Jesus’ power leads to the miraculous healing of his servant.

The example of the Roman centurion serves as a powerful reminder that true faith and humility are key components to receiving God’s grace and blessings in our lives. It is a powerful reflection on the transformative power of faith and humility. It challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards God and seek to emulate the centurion’s unwavering belief in Jesus’ power to work miracles in our lives. As we strive to deepen our faith and humble ourselves before God, may we too experience the rewards of seeing what we believe and witness the miraculous works of God in our own lives.