Limitation of the Human Power and Authority

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week -  Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 8:5-17*

*First Reading - Gn 18:1-15*

*Limitation of the Human Power and Authority*

*1) The Centurion was a powerful Man*

The centurion who come across in today's Gospel was a powerful man 

He was able to exercise his authority over the Soldiers. 

With one command, he was capable of doing  any work 

He had the authority and power to command, to his soldiers to do any work 

*2) Limitation of his authority in case of sickness*

Such a powerful centurion was unable to cure his servant who was suffering from paralysis 

In fact the centurion was very well aware of this fact, that had no authority over the sickness and he was unable to heal his sick servant.

This shows that human authority is very much limited and at times we become helpless before sickness 

*3) The beautiful side of his authority*

There is a beautiful side of centurions authority

He uses his power and authority to humble himself before the Lord and pleads for his help 

The centurion could have sent some servants to call Jesus, because after all the suffering person was a servant and not his son. But the centurion makes no difference between the servant and human being. 

For him the suffering servant was a another human being, just like him. 

So use of the authority to humble himself before God, worked a great miracle 

*4) The present covid pandemic and the Human Authority*

Human intelligence has become so powerful in the 21st century, and at times human being is in the opinion that he can't control everything and anything

Even some scients claim that the need of God is no more necessary, science can answer everything

But the fact is with covid virus we have realised that how human power is limited and helpless before a tiny covid virus 

This is the present reality to reflect todays gospel in the practical level 

*5) Need of centurions faith and attitude*

The present crisis of covid can be answered only by the attitude and faith of the centurion

In spite of his authority, he humbled himself before Jesus, expressing his inability. On the other hand we also see a powerful gesture of faith in his approach and attitude 

The very fact that he approached Jesus shows that he had tremendous faith in Jesus. Moreover one word of Jesus was enough for him, not expecting Jesus to come to his house. This also shows the height of his faith 

*6) My life and centurions life*

First of all the centurion was not a Jew. He didn't know about Jesus, but might have heard about Jesus 

Mere hearing about Jesus was sufficient for the centurion

What about me. 

First of all I am a born catholic 

Secondly - I  am familiar with Jesus and His divine power 

Thirdly - I can approach Jesus at any time 

If so what is the depth of my faith? 

Mere one word of Jesus sufficient for me? 

What is the level of my humility in front of my own authority, ego, power, pride, when it comes to me and my God??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*