Daily Gospel Reflection for December 4, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Virginia Pillars

You deserve it. How many times do we hear people say this statement to us or someone else? Do we think we deserve it when we get a positive result for hard work on a project? Deserve. What do we deserve?

The centurion who approached Jesus must have viewed himself with an opposite sentiment. The centurion, a gentile in command of many men, had humility, along with deep faith in Jesus. The centurion shows his humbleness to approach our Lord with a request. He recognized that Jesus was God in the flesh with authority and power over this world. He didn’t need to be in the same location for a healing to happen.

Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. Matthew 8:8

Jesus could heal with a word.

We can take a lesson from the centurion when we approach God in prayer. It’s important to pray with the same mindset. To come with an awareness of our dependence on God for everything and believe in the power of Jesus to heal.

We pray similar words during Mass before we approach the altar to receive the Holy Eucharist. “Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” As the congregation prays this prayer aloud, I try to concentrate on what I am saying and approach the altar with my heart open and my needs exposed.

Whether the healing comes in physical form or in healing from sinful ways, we rely on the Lord’s mercy and grace. "Who can say, 'I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed of my sin?'” (Proverbs 20: 9)

Ponder:

What do I think I deserve in life and why?

Pray:

Lord, thank You for the many gifts You give us daily. May I remember to ask for Your healing for myself and others with humility, faith, and an open heart.

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We can take a lesson from the centurion when we approach God in prayer, going to Him with an awareness of our dependence on Him for everything. #DailyGospel

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