Our account from Luke today represents a wonderful picture of collaboration and harmony. The centurion, a Gentile – non-Jew, heard that Jesus was near and appealed to Jewish elders to seek out Jesus to invite him to his home to heal his slave. As Jesus was on the way, the centurion apparently had a change of heart, concerned about his sinfulness and did not want to trouble Jesus. He sent his friends to Jesus with the request to heal his slave with his word. Jesus was amazed: “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith” (Lk 7:9). The slave was then healed.

Aside from the fact that no one seemed to have a problem with slavery, certainly not uncommon in the Ancient Near East, everyone involved, the centurion, his friends, Jewish elders, and Jesus, were all working together to make this healing possible. The centurion actually showed concern, not indifference for his slave. Gentiles and Jews, occupier and occupied, collaborated with one another, and Jesus did not hesitate to answer the request of the centurion, a representative of the Roman occupying army.

This Gospel scene is certainly worth meditating upon.

The centurion was aware, and he sought help for his servant who was ill and in need of healing. The interesting point is that he sought help from those he was in a position to oppress. He went to those of a different race and religious belief. This Gentile centurion asked help from the elders of the Jews. The elders recognized the need of one of their oppressors and reached out to Jesus for help. Everyone in this account did not hesitate to play their part to help a servant.

Are we willing to see, hear, speak up, and seek help for those in need around us, no matter who they may be? Can we resist apathy, indifference, and prejudice, and instead, keep our ears, eyes, and hearts open to the vulnerable among us? Are we willing to see each other as people created in the image and likeness of God? Will we treat those we encounter with dignity and respect and be willing to collaborate and work together for the good of those like us, as well as those who are different, in little ways with great love today as Jesus did, one person at a time.

When we do so, we are at our best. We are the hands and feet of the Body of Christ.

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Photo: May we reflect the light of Jesus in our corner of the world as we resist the temptation to feed division and dehumanization and seek instead to promote healing and reconciliation, grounded in God’s love for the dignity of each human person.

Link for the Mass readings for Monday, September 16, 2024