Prayer of the Day

Feast of St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop & Doctor of the Church

Today’s healing story takes place in Capernaum which at the time was one of the most prosperous and crowded districts in Palestine.  At the beginning of his ministry Jesus took up residence in Capernaum and it was the backdrop of many of his miracles including the healing of the centurion’s servant.  The centurion was a Roman soldier who cared so much about his servant that he asked Jesus to heal him. This was an unusual event as the centurion was a Gentilenot a Jew, but he had supported the Jewish community by building them a synagogue.   Jesus offered to go to the centurion’s house to perform the healing but out of humility and respect for Jewish custom regarding clean and unclean, the centurion did not want Jesus to come into his house and become unclean.  He suggested that Jesus perform the healing at a distance.  Jesus was astonished at the man’s faith.    We still celebrate the faith of this Roman soldier and try to imitate his humility as we utter his words during the Mass before we receive Holy Communion, “Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”