Christian Art | The Centurion’s Faith | King James Audio Bible KJV
Luke 7: 1-10 – Week 24 Ordinary Time, Monday (King James Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
NOW when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
‘Domine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea.’ ‘Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.’
With these words, so many of us will seek to rid ourselves of bad thoughts before receiving communion. We have recollected ourselves in silent time to examine our consciences, we have confessed, we have listened to readings from Scripture – and even in that short time following there has been time to sin anew, as also there is heightened awareness of our sins, and too of inherent sinfulness.
To people who are not Christians, this might sound like a bleak situation! As Christians, we know that really the situation is entirely the opposite. Even now, as the Mass is well under way and as we are about to receive the body and blood of Christ, at the eleventh hour, as it were, there is a further opportunity to repent and to ask God’s forgiveness. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
This prayer can mark the approach to the summit of the Mass. We have prayed the Lord’s prayer, and we have offered one another the sign of peace, which is a sharing of such sincere joy at being together with Jesus. Now we find ourselves readying ourselves once more for a further meeting with God – a welcoming into ourselves of God. Even as we are in community, sustained by community, we are also individually present before God. There is no hiding anything now. We must give ourselves utterly – warts ‘n’ all.
The ways in which we respond to this situation are indicative of the joy of Christian faith. When we are called to meet with God, and when we can hide nothing, we know that because of what Jesus did we can say sorry, we can acknowledge to God that we are not worthy of His love, and then can bow our heads and rejoice and relax and accept His saving presence in our lives. ‘Lord, I am not worthy.’ This is God’s grandeur: God loves us just the way that we are.
Concluding Prayer | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
Lord God,
who entrusted the earth to men
to till it and care for it,
and made the sun to serve their needs:
give us grace this day to work faithfully for your glory
and for our neighbour’s good.
We make our prayer through our Lord.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
The Centurion’s Faith
The story of the Centurion’s faith, found in Luke 7:1-10, is a powerful testament to the power of faith, humility, and the authority of Christ. In this story, a Roman Centurion comes to Jesus, requesting that he heal his servant who is sick and about to die. What is remarkable about this request is not just the fact that a Roman soldier is asking for the help of a Jewish healer, but the faith that the Centurion displays in his request.
We also recognize the love of the Centurion for his servant. Perhaps we might sense more of a protégé rather than a slave. That there should be such love within the Roman military might well seem a promise of goodness both to come and already.
The Centurion, recognizing Jesus’ authority and power, states: ‘Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.’ (Luke 7:6-7) This statement displays a profound humility and faith, as the Centurion acknowledges that he is unworthy to have Jesus come to his home and heal his servant, but believes that Jesus has the power to heal from a distance, simply by speaking the word.
Such is the power of the Centurion’s words that they are paraphrased within the ritual of the Catholic communion: ‘Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.’
This kind of faith is not unique to the Centurion, but is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as ‘the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’, and this faith is demonstrated time and again by those who trust in God’s power and authority. In the Old Testament, Abraham believed God’s promise that he would have a son, even though he and his wife were advanced in years and barren (Genesis 15:6). Similarly, in the New Testament, the woman with the issue of blood believed that if she touched Jesus’ garment, she would be healed (Matthew 9:20-22).
This kind of faith is not limited to individuals, but can also be displayed by communities of believers. In Acts 4:23-31, the disciples of Jesus pray for boldness and the power to perform signs and wonders in Jesus’ name, and their prayers are answered when the place where they are meeting is shaken and they are filled with the Holy Spirit.
In this reading, Saint Augustine reflects on the two commandments on which, according to Christ, the whole of the Law and the prophets depend: love of God and love of neighbour. Augustine presents Christ as the teacher who brings these commandments into focus and shows their central place in the Christian life [ … ]
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Capuchin friar who lived from 1887 to 1968. He is renowned for his piety, his stigmata, and his gift of healing, and has become a beloved figure in the Christian world. Born into a devout Catholic family in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903 and was ordained a priest in 1910. He spent much of his life as a humble friar, dedicated to prayer, the sacraments, and the service of others. Padre Pio’s most famous spiritual gift was the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ that he bore on his hands, feet, and side. He experienced this phenomenon for over 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968. While some were skeptical of his wounds, many believed them to be a sign of his profound union with Christ and his participation in the suffering of the crucified Christ. In addition to his stigmata, Padre Pio was also known for his gift of healing. Many people came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and he prayed over them, sometimes prescribing special devotions or treatments. While some were healed miraculously, others did not experience a physical cure, but nonetheless found comfort and peace through his intercession. Padre Pio’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his love for others. He spent long hours in prayer, often in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and had a deep appreciation for the power of the Eucharist. He also had a special love for the Virgin Mary, whom he called his ‘Heavenly Mother’, and encouraged others to pray the Rosary. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his influence has spread far beyond Italy. He is remembered for his holiness, his humility, and his profound union with Christ, as well as for his compassion and concern for the sick and suffering. Christians of all denominations continue to look to him as a model of faith and devotion to God. Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Healing Saint Padre Pio is renowned for his gift of healing, which he used to help countless people throughout his life. He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of placing our trust in God, even in the face of illness and suffering. In James 5:16, we are reminded that ‘the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Padre Pio’s life was a testament to the truth of this verse, as he interceded for those who came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. One of the most striking examples of Padre Pio’s healing ministry was the case of Gemma Di Giorgi, a young girl who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her parents brought her to Padre Pio, who prayed over her and blessed her with the sign of the cross. To the amazement of her doctors, Gemma’s condition began to improve, and she was eventually healed completely. In addition to physical healing, Padre Pio also believed in the importance of emotional and spiritual healing. He often spoke of the need for repentance and conversion, and encouraged his followers to turn to God with contrite hearts. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Padre Pio understood that true healing involves not only the body, but also the soul. For those who are in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Saint Padre Pio can serve as a powerful intercessor. He believed in the importance of prayer and the power of God’s grace to heal even the most difficult of cases. Through his intercession, we can ask God for the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles, knowing that we are never alone and that God’s healing love is always with us. So let us pray: ‘Saint Padre Pio, you who had a deep faith in God and a profound love for your fellow human beings, we turn to you in our time of need. We ask for your intercession on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering, that they may be healed in body, mind, and spirit. We ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles with faith and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness to all who seek it. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us, and lead us to the healing grace of God. Amen.’ Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Peace Saint Padre Pio was a man of peace, who lived his life in the service of God and his fellow human beings. He believed that peace was not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of inner harmony that could only be achieved through a deep and abiding relationship with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Padre Pio understood the importance of this peace, and dedicated his life to helping others find it. One of the ways that Padre Pio fostered peace was through his ministry of reconciliation. He encouraged those who came to him to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that this was the first step towards inner peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Padre Pio believed that this was not just a call to be a mediator in conflicts between […]
Through these Bible verses, we are called upon to consider the persecution of Christians. Jesus speaks both of his own time, and of the time of the Apostles, and of time to come, including the present day. The persecution of Christians is a live issue at present in the Middle East, through the intolerance of some people and their leaders. In living memory, we recall the oppression and murder of Christians by totalitarian regimes. As we look back through history, we find so many of our saints are martyrs [ … ]
