HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT.

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT.

THEME: FAITH AS GREAT AS THIS!

BY: Benedict Agbo (Rev Fr)

* Is 1: 2 – 6, Matt 8: 5 – 11.

‘In no one in Israel (among the so called children of God) have I found such faith!’.
Why did Christ say this about this Centurion of today’s gospel? I have the following reflections to make;
1. HUMILITY AND SELF EXAMINATION; That man was humble. He knew what he had in his house and who it was that was coming to his house and had to tell himself the gospel truth that he wasn’t worthy to host him.

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2. UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE OF AUTHORITY; That man was wise. He also understood the nature of authority and the spiritual role of ministers. He knew that whatever he wanted Jesus to do for him can be delegated. He knew that it was through the power of mere words that God created the universe. He knew that spiritual authority does not require physical presence and long words of prayer. He knew that Jesus had the authority of God to command the ravaging forces of sickness to go away even without being there physically.
The faith of the Centurion was greater than that of the four friends who brought their paralyzed patient through the roof of the house where Jesus was staying, Mk 2. It was greater than that of the woman of haemorrhage who needed to touch the fringe of Jesus’ garments before receiving her healing, Matt 9. His faith was superior to that of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue who considered himself worthy to receive Christ in his house, Mk 5.

Jesus said: Not even in Israel – Not even in the whole Roman Catholic Church or any Christian Church of today, will such faith be found as great as this. Just consider the amount of people who consider themselves worthy every Sunday to receive Jesus with their unholy mouths and you can see that faith is no more there about who they are receiving nor humility about who the receiver is. Faith in the Word of God is the highest dimension of faith which many of us lack today. Faith manifests in simplicity and humility. May God bless you today!

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