Gospel in Art: I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word

Roman centurion's armour trophy,Terrazza del Pincio, Piazza del Populo, Rome, Giuseppe Valadier © Alamy / Christian Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 28 November 2022
Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. 'Sir,' he said 'my servant is lying at home paralysed, and in great pain.' 'I will come myself and cure him' said Jesus.

The centurion replied, 'Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.'

When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, 'I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.'

Reflection on the public sculpture

Our black and white photo depicts a Roman centurion's armour trophy designed by Giuseppe Valadier in 1834. He was named official architetto camerale of the Papal States by Pope Pius VI in 1786 and became one of Rome's most celebrated neo-classical designers. His most prominent commission was the clock adoring the right side of the front of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Our trophy of centurion's military attributes can be found on the Terrazza del Pincio, Piazza del Populo here in Rome.

Why did the Church choose today's story of Jesus meeting the Centurion to be the first weekday Gospel reading of the new liturgical year? Because it is the perfect Gospel reading which powerfully captures the true spirit of Advent. In Advent, we are all called to go on a journey towards the coming of the Lord. This journey is not a physical journey, but a spiritual journey. The Roman centurion went on his own journey towards Jesus, just like each of us are. In response to the centurion's initiative and journey, Jesus in turn expresses his intention to go on a journey to the house of the centurion. However, we read that the centurion would not allow him to make such a journey in person. So Jesus made that journey by means of words. His words healed the centurion's servant.

In Advent, as we journey towards the Lord, we discover that the Lord journeys towards us… through his word… a word that will stay with us for the rest of this new liturgical year. May we listen every day more carefully to God's Word and allow it deeply penetrate our hearts.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/

Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-8-5-11-2022/