Monday December 1, 2025

Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralysed, and in great pain.’

I love this beautiful passage from Matthew. This centurion recognized the authority that Our Lord had and he was asking for Jesus to simply say a prayer from a distance. He said “Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured”.

The Lord did not say a prayer from a distance, he went to the house. Can we pause here for a second. This centurion is very impressive indeed, yes because of his faith but yes also for his care. Servants or slaves were treated without honor and respect and here we find a centurion who loves the slave like his own child. He truly cares for those entrusted to them. This is a good caring boss man. This is an invitation to the whole church and world to care for those whom the cards of life has led them to be mere servants. Folks this advent season is a great time to get off our high horse and be like the centurion on a human level. Do it today, see the humanity in the man who stands by the roadside begging. Do something special for that person, it will change you. I actually recently saw a video of a man who goes around and takes in stray dogs. He is a saint to me and reminded me of this quote “Be kind to every kind not just the human kind.”