Like the Centurion – Reflection on Luke 7:1-10
During Mass, the Roman Catholic church uses a modified version of the centurion’s request to Jesus. “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.” Like the centurion, we know we do wrong but depend on Jesus to heal us. In reciting the prayer, we acknowledge the belief the Lord does say the word. During quiet times like this, we can review and have remorse for the mistakes that harmed our souls so we can become healed. From a distance of less than a breath away, the Lord responds with mercy even with all the requests of the cosmos to consider.
The Healing of the Officers Son by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting).
More details are available at the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 7:1-10 – Scripture*
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” 6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 7:1-10 Reflection – Like the Centurion.
Additional Thoughts
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate your expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions. Amen.
Attributions
* This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Luke 7.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Like the Centurion
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.