Tag: Why did Jesus heal the centurion’s servant?

St Jutta of Kulmsee
(Approx. 1200 – 1260)

St Jutta was born into an aristocratic family at Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany. She married at 15 and raised her children in a contemplative form of Christianity; all of whom later followed a religious monastic life.

When her husband died on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, St Jutta decided to join the Third Order of St Francis. She sold her material wealth and led an austere life, caring for and helping the poor despite the ridicule she received from her community. In later life, she moved to Kulmsee near Prussia where she received visitors and dedicated her time to prayer. St Jutta was well known for her counsel and many miracles. She is Patron Saint of Prussia.

Story

When a centurion asked Jesus to help his paralyzed servant, Jesus offered to go to his home and heal him. But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Instead, just say the word and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8).

Jesus, surprised at his response, healed the servant saying “I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel… Go; just as you believed, it will be done for you”. (Matthew 8:13)

Thought

Before receiving the Sacred Body of Jesus in Holy Communion, we use those same humble words of the centurion, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”.

Reflection

Lord Jesus, my life is your gift to me but I have made it unworthy for you to enter. Today, I renew my faith in you. Heal my soul and help me to embrace whatever suffering I may encounter to live my life more purposefully.

A Prayer – Transform Me

O my Divine Saviour, transform me into yourself.
May my hands be the hands of Jesus.
May my tongue be the tongue of Jesus,
Grant that every faculty of my body may serve only to glorify you.
Above all, transform my soul and all its powers,
so that my memory, my will and my affections
may be the memory, the will and the affections of Jesus.
I pray you to destroy in me all that is not you.
Grant that I may live but in you and for you,
and that I may truly say with St. Paul:
“I live, now not I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

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