“Lord, I am not worthy to have You under my roof, but only say the word and my servant shall be healed” (Matthew 8:8). These profound words, spoken by the centurion, are echoed in every Mass just before we receive the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. At every Mass, when we pray these words from the Sacred Scripture, we affirm the following truths which strengthen our faith.
The Word of God Evokes Faith
This prayer reveals an unwavering faith in the power of God’s Word. As the Psalmist proclaims, “He sent out His Word and healed them” (Psalm 107:20). In the gospel of John 1:14, we learn that the Word of God is God Himself, dwelling among us. This divine presence guides our faith journey, guiding our thoughts, words, and actions. The Word becomes an indispensable source of strength and inspiration, leading us closer to God and shaping us into instruments of His grace.
God Continues to Create by the Power of His Word
Matthew 8:8 reminds us of the Word’s creative nature. The centurion believed that Jesus’ spoken Word alone could heal his servant. Similarly, in Genesis 1:3-26, God creates the universe through His Word. This divine power entrusted to our speech calls us to use our words to edify and bless others. St. Paul exhorts us: “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying” (Ephesians 4:29). Our words have the power to uplift or harm, and Jesus warns us in Matthew 12:36-37 that we will be accountable for every careless Word. Choosing words that build, heal, and inspire reflects our identity as children of God.
God-given Authority Exercised Through His Word
As a military commander, the centurion understood how spoken words, backed by authority, compel action. Similarly, we are called to exercise our authority as God’s children with faith and humility. When we align our words and actions with God’s will, they carry the authority of His truth and love, bringing blessings into our lives and the lives of others.
Surrendering to God as an Act of Worship
Finally, the centurion demonstrates total surrender to Christ. By entrusting his servant’s healing entirely to Jesus, he acknowledges Jesus’ supreme authority. True surrender involves yielding every aspect of our lives to Christ, allowing all we have and are to become acts of worship. When we surrender fully, we open ourselves to God’s abundant grace, experiencing blessings and transformations far beyond what we could imagine. (Ephesians 3:20).
In the centurion’s prayer, we are reminded of the boundless power of the Word of God. The prayer is also a declaration of faith. The response of our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that a declared faith can yield results. Let us continue strive to live by the truths of our faith, trusting in God’s authority and allowing His Word to work within us. In the prayer, we acknowledge our unworthiness, and in doing so God steps in with His worthiness (2 Cor. 4:7).
