Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 2, 2024

Date: Monday of the 1st Week in Advent

Scripture Text: Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus 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 man 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today from Matthew recounts Jesus’ encounter with the centurion who sought the healing of his servant. The surprise of the encounter is not in Jesus’ compassion for the servant but rather in the centurion’s faith in Jesus’ power and authority. This is the second reference in Matthew to Jesus’ universal mission and the universal response to Jesus (the first was the visit of the Magi).

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I trust in the power and authority of Jesus Christ? Do I bring my needs to Him with this faith and hope, trusting in His love?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only begotten Son to dwell among us, to reveal your great love for us, and to show illuminate for us “the Way and the Truth and the Life” in his teachings, his example, his very being. Send your Spirit to further illuminate my mind, my heart, and my soul and make them hospitable to Jesus Christ, your beloved Son. Grant that I may seek Him, come to know Him, love Him and through Him love You. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.