HOMILY FOR 24TH MONDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
HOMILY FOR 24TH MONDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: FAITH AND AUTHORITY
BY: Fr. Paul Karabari
1 Cor 11:17-26, 33; Psalm 39(40):7-10, 17; Luke 7:1-10
‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.’
The Gospel of today (Luke 7:1-10) presents the story of the Centurion and his sick slave. A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Centurions commanded a century of around 80 legionaries. The position of a centurion carried authority and respect.
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In a world where slaves were seen as mere tools, it is surprising to see a centurion sending Jewish elders to beg Jesus in order to have Him heal his slave. This is an unusual thing in a world where people wrongly think that the higher life places you, the tougher you become, even with comparative reduction in compassion, love, and kindness. The centurion might have applied other means to help the recovery of his servant but to no avail.
Though the centurion acknowledged his position of authority: “For I am a man under orders myself, and I have soldiers under me. And if I say to one: ‘Go,’ he goes, and if I say to another: ‘Come,’ he comes…”He wasn’t being boastful. He was simply acknowledging his nothingness in contrast to the higher authority of Jesus. He submitted his authority to Jesus for his faith to grow. All authorities must be subjected to that of Jesus. The Centurion wasn’t a Jew yet he showed so much faith in Jesus. Faith in God is not a tribal trademark.
Kindness is not cultural. It is a personal attitude. Authority doesn’t destroy the goodness of a man who is good. A good man is a good man no matter where life places him. The centurion wasn’t just good at home. Even the Jewish elders lend testimony to his goodness. By his training in the army, he should be tough, but he rejected the place society offered him and accepted a place with humanity. He could have allowed the slave to die, but he accepted him as one of his own. He stripped himself of his authority so that his faith could rise before Jesus. We must learn to treat everyone with kindness and love no matter where life or society has placed them.
Every human being carries value and dignity. The man at the gate is not useless simply because he keeps the gate. His nature is exactly ours. The difference is that more may have been entrusted to by grace. Likewise the cook or gardener. The help we give to one human being is given to given to the community of humanity. Everyone has value. It only depends on what you see. And it is absolutely personal.
Love does not know celebrity status. It is kind and gentle. Love is humble and simple. Love does for others what they can’t do for themselves. We must also learn to present before Jesus all those who can’t take themselves to Him. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our country, Nigeria, bless and protect us all through Christ, our Lord Amen. Pls, stay safe. Have a fruitful week.
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