Become the Centurion – Matthew 8:5-11 Reflection
Christians can learn to become the centurion by consuming Christ in various ways with the commonality of spending time with the Gospels. Just before receiving Communion, Catholics are reminded of the Centurian’s words. This is done with a single-word change of what the Centurian said to Jesus. In harmony, the congregation humbly prays. “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” When we genuinely become the Centurian, Christ is less than a breath away from hearing what we need. Our awesome Lord, with the numerous requests of the cosmos to consider, responds with the ultimate gift of love.
Lord I Am Not Worthy by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Matthew 8:5-11 – Scripture*
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him 6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” 8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man 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.” 10 When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 8:5-11 Reflection – Become the Centurion.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer style, others might appreciate these types of 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 get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 8 passage.
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Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.