Advent Day 2: Humble Faith

Today’s Gospel:

When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 8:5–11

The Gospel reading for today tells the story of a centurion with a servant who was suffering. The centurion went out to find Jesus because he knew that Jesus could heal his servant. Think about that for a moment. The centurion, who had rank, position, and authority, goes out to find help for his servant. He doesn’t send another servant, nor does he tell one of his soldiers to go. Instead, he seeks Jesus personally to make the appeal. Not only do we see the centurion as a man that had faith in Jesus, but he was also a man who humbled himself before the Lord by being a servant to his servant. So when the centurion says, “I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof,” those are not empty words — they are words spoken from a heart that is humble and that has immense faith.

This Advent season, let us ask for the grace to:

• Have a humble heart
• Seek ways to serve one another in love
• Grow in faith, believing that Jesus can provide healing for us and for our marriage

Ponder Together:

Do you believe that Jesus can heal? Do you believe that Jesus can heal you? If you are experiencing struggles in your relationship, do you believe that Jesus can heal your marriage? Do you truly believe that God is bigger than life’s circumstances?

Pray Together:

Prayers of Thanksgiving:

Thank you Lord for all that you have done for us. Thank you for this season of Advent, in which You call us to prepare ourselves for your coming. Thank you for calling us to come together in marriage and we ask you to help us, with a humble and believing heart, keep watch, be alert as a couple.

Prayers of Petition:

Lord help us in any unbelief that is preventing us from being open to your grace and love. Help us grow in faith and trust in you, leaving all of our sufferings in your hands. Lord help us to receive you in a new way this Christmas, and ready us for your Second Coming.

Plan Together:

As the centurion served his servant by bringing him before the Lord, take time today to serve your spouse by bringing their intentions to Jesus.

As a spouse who has responsibilities, a job, things to do, take time out of the day today and go to Jesus. If you can drive to your local Church parish or perpetual Adoration Chapel make this one request: “Lord, my spouse is in need of help with _________ or is suffering with _________.” Sit for a moment in prayer and wait. Give God an opportunity to speak to you and then say to Him: “Lord, I am not worthy to have come under thy roof; only say the word and my spouse will be healed.”