He said to him, “I will come and cure him.”
The centurion said in reply,
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

matthew 8:7-8

Matthew 8:5-11

Reflection

The Gospel reading today is the famous passage of the centurion asking Jesus to heal his paralyzed servant. Jesus immediately says he will come, but the centurion pleads that he isn’t worthy for Jesus to come under his roof.

In this season of Advent, we are preparing to welcome Baby Jesus under our roofs at Christmas. Yet we, like the centurion, are not truly worthy to have Jesus under our roof. As sinners, we daily fail at our duty to love and honor God. Do not be troubled, though!

Just as Jesus tells the centurion he will come and cure the servant, so too does Jesus yearn to come and heal us. When we invite him into our lives, Jesus transforms us, heals us, and makes us new.

Today, reflect on how you can better prepare your heart and home to receive Jesus in a special way this Advent and Christmas. Ask him for help in opening your mind and heart in a welcoming and loving manner. Jesus is waiting and willing to heal you – let him in.

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Saint of the Day

St. Bibiana

St. Bibiana was a virgin, martyr, and daughter to Christian parents who were also tortured and killed, most likely during the AD 300s. She herself was killed by scourging at a pillar. St. Bibiana, pray for us!