Instruments of healing
In today’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus heals the centurion’s servant, although the actual healing isn’t included in the reading but follows two verses later. The centurion exhibits both humility—“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof”—and faith—“only say the word and my servant will be healed”—the latter of which amazes Jesus. We say words very like these during the liturgy, but today they take on new resonance for me.
Today, my thoughts go to the many people who have come or will be coming to a Catholic Charities agency this holiday season, some perhaps for the first time ever, to receive services. After the government shutdown and the SNAP “pause,” for lack of a better word, many may be coming for that most fundamental of services: food for themselves and their families, without which they will go hungry.
The faith they exhibit in this simple, humble, humbling act is astonishing. They must be hoping to be met with compassion and not judgment, with open hands and an open heart. Perhaps they are judging themselves—for being in need, for having to ask for help, for not working harder to get by and make do.
I imagine how Christ would greet them and the healing he works in them, and what I see is staff and volunteers across the country, acting as his hands and heart. The verse that is omitted in today’s reading is as follows: “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.” And at that very hour [his] servant was healed.
May we all be instruments of healing this Advent season.
Julie Bourbon is the senior writer at Catholic Charities USA.