There’s something powerful about discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary. I once heard a story of a man who moved to a new town and visited a nearby church. While admiring the beautiful stained-glass windows, he noticed an unusual phrase. One of the windows bore the words: “Glory to God in the Highest.” But the letter "E" in “Highest” was missing, leaving the phrase to read: “Glory to God in the High St!”
This unexpected twist made him pause and reflect. High Street was the name of the street where he lived. He realized this was a message for him—he was being called to glorify God, not somewhere far away, but in his own neighborhood, on High Street, in the small, daily acts of his life.
In Matthew's Gospel, we meet a Roman centurion who glorifies God in his own unique way—not through elaborate rituals or public gestures but through an extraordinary act or confession of faith. The centurion was a military officer who commanded over a hundred soldiers and represented the Roman Empire. Yet, unlike many in his position, he showed deep compassion for his servant, who was suffering and on the verge of death.
Who is Worthy
Last weekend, Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., and I watched Gladiator 2. It was good entertainment. It is the continuation of the story of Maximus, a general who, like the centurion, understands authority and the value of loyalty and service but is forced to be a slave and a gladiator. In Roman society, slaves were considered property, devoid of rights, and often treated harshly. Yet this centurion defied social norms and cared deeply for his servant, even humbling himself to seek help from Jesus.
When Jesus offered to come to his house, the centurion demonstrated profound humility and faith, saying, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” This response reveals the centurion’s military mindset: as a man of authority, he understood that commands could be executed without physical presence. He believed that Jesus, the ultimate commander, had the authority to heal with just a word. His faith was logical, absolute, and unwavering—rooted in recognizing Jesus’ divine power.
The centurion’s extraordinary faith moved Jesus to astonishment. “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith,” Jesus declared. While many people praised Jesus for His works, it was unusual for Jesus to openly commend someone’s faith, especially a Gentile and a Roman officer. In moments of trial—when negativity surrounds us, failures overwhelm us, or life’s burdens weigh heavily—can we echo the centurion’s words: “Only say the word, Lord, and I shall be healed”?
Faithful Wherever We Are
Faith is not simply about praising God; it is about living in such a way that God praises us. When we stand firm in faith, we receive God’s approval. When we trust deeply in His love, we gain His admiration. When we place our hope in Him, we earn His commendation.
Like the centurion, we are called to glorify God wherever we are—in our homes, workplaces, and daily lives. Whether on “High Street” or in the ordinary routines of life, may we glorify Him with deep faith and trust.
- Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
