If I were to ask you, “How much faith do you have?” What would you say? I think most of us would say, “It depends on the day, or even what time of day, for anyone who’s not really a morning person, before that first cup or two of coffee—believe me I understand!
Today’s Gospel reminds us of the power of faith in God. The centurion, who wasn’t a Jew, had one hundred percent confidence in Jesus’ power to heal the man’s servant who wasn’t even present. There’s humility in the centurion’s response to Jesus’ offer to go to the man when he says, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
Sound familiar? Those are the words we say at each Mass just before Communion. Except, in our prayer, we say, “and my soul will be healed.” In that statement, the centurion and we profess our humility and faith in the power of Jesus’ healing word. Sometimes, our faith is like the high tide of the ocean, giving us the confidence to turn to Jesus in any moment of our day, and at others, hopefully, not often, our faith is like the low tide, seemingly so lacking.
At times, we can be lifted by talking with or just seeing a person of faith in action. My godmother, Aunt Cecile, was a woman of faith. My mother tells the story of Aunt Cecile’s father being gravely ill in the hospital and her telling my mother emphatically, “Everything will work out; it has to.” Faith in God involves believing with that certitude and in God’s plan working out for the good.
Each time we gather for Mass, to pray, listen to the Word of God, and receive the Eucharist, through God’s grace, our faith is increased. Your presence here in person and online is an act of faith. Each time you gather with your family to pray the Rosary, and for your needs, your faith is evident and strengthened. Advent is a time to check on our spiritual well-being and our caring for others. Sometimes we plead, “Lord help me to believe!” And, at other times, we’re called to encourage others to hang in there, to trust and go to God for healing and answers.
If we can follow the example of the centurion by going to Jesus, and believing in His power to heal, then as my godmother said, everything will work out, and I’d add, in God’s plan for the best. May God bless you and your families this holy day as we pray to have our faith increased and look for ways to put it into action in your heart, home, and the world!
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