The centurion always makes me stop to consider how immense Jesus’ mercy is. What boundless compassion He has for those who suffer. This man, this centurion, commands a hundred men, leads them and directs them. When he comes before Jesus he is so humbled, he simply admits that he is unworthy. This should strike us as somewhat strange because he is not an ordinary man, he is not a follower, he is not someone who just goes with the flow. Most of us, if we are honest, would be in agreement with this centurion – we are not worthy for Jesus to visit our house. However the difference is that this centurion is of higher standing than most of us. Even the mighty and those of high estate in this world must recognize their lowliness and humble themselves before the Lord.
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
Saints Peter and Paul are the two greatest pillars of the Church. Their lives are very different, and this helps us understand from a divine perspective how it takes all kinds – not only of people but also of leaders – to build up the Church. The message of Christ appeals way beyond any narrow segment of humanity, culture, or way of life. We need leaders that lead in very different ways. Let us meditate on the lives of Saints Peter and Paul to grasp how their different styles of leadership bore witness to the Gospel.
Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr
The foolishness of building a house on sand is obvious. Unfortunately, the foolishness of building one’s life on the realities of this passing world is not as obvious. The house that is built on sand may even look the same as the one built on rock: perhaps the same materials were used, the same architecture, the same floor-plan. While the weather is good, it doesn’t seem to matter that one is built on sand and the other rock. People can build their lives the same way: they may have the same jobs, the same clothes, the same friends/activities. If they do not build their lives on Christ, however, when the storms of life come they will be utterly decimated.