Good Works makes a person to deserve something from the Lord

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 24th Week - Monday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 7:1-10*

*First Reading - 1 Tm 2:1-8*

*Good Works makes a person to deserve something from the Lord*

*“He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.”*

*1) The Centurion deserved something from the Lord*

In today's Gospel, according the Jews who were sent by the centurion, to Jesus, feel that the Centurion deserved some favour from the Lord 

The Gospel also gives the reasons why he deserved some favours from the Lord. 

A) First of all He was a man of *integrity*. Because he respected every one, without any discrimination

B) Even though he was not a Jew, he *built a synagogue* for the Jews, to pray. This also shows his respect towards other religion and their belief systems 

C) Thirdly, He had only heard about Jesus. He had not seen Jesus, yet he had *strong belief* in the person of Jesus and about his miraculous power 

D) He was a man with *human values*. Because he considered his slave as a human being and not as a slave. He was ready to go out of the way to help his servant. So he had great value for human lif

D) The virtue of *Humility* He was a man with power and position. He had the power to command something from another person. But he never used his power or position in healing his servant. It was only humility that we see in centurion, while he approaches Jesus 

E) Man of deep *faith* : Jesus Himself says that *I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.*

This shows the depth of his faith. Because of these good deeds, he deserved some favour from the Lord

*2) Jesus was ready to do the favour, without any questions*

When Jews came and told about the centurion and about his slave, Jesus was ready to go and do the favour 

Not only He was ready but immediately he started, to proceed to the place where the slave was suffering 

Jesus didn't ask any further questions. So it is also understood that, those who do lot of Good Work they deserve a favour from the Lord 

*3) Centurion never claimed, But it was people who claimed for it*

This is another important point to note. 

Even though the centurion had done lots of good work, he never clsmied any favour for that 

Neither he said his good works to Jesus in order to get the favour

He never felt that he deserves a favour from the Lord for the good work 

This attitude of the centurion is very important. Other wise we may claim favour for every other little work 

 *4) What are the Good works in my life, which others say that I deserve a favour from the Lord?*

This is one of the important questions, which we need to reflect very often 

When we think about this question, we will be able to evaluate our own life and to see what are the good works we have in our life 

When others say, usually they speak good, only if we do good. Other wise they don't speak about that 

It is better that we list out all our good deeds to check our own life and to correct it, if it is not on the right path 

*So finally the Question is what are the Good works in my life?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*