Matthew 8:8

"Only say the word and my servant will be healed." 

In today's readings we hear the story of the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servants. Jesus offers to come to the centurion's house, and we hear a reply which is familiar to us from the Mass: "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." The centurion trusts in Jesus ability to heal his servant with a word because he believes that Jesus has authority. 

This gives a chance for us to reflect – to what do we give authority in our lives? What are the things in our lives we allow to govern us and determine our decisions? Do we believe in the words that God says about us? Advent is the time to look inwards and to review the priorities of our lives. The centurion sees that Jesus has authority only because first he approaches Him; he comes close. To give authority to Jesus we need to meet Him in our own hearts. We need to take time in silence to renew our relationship with the one who created us, the one who redeems and feeds us. 

This week, try to make some time to sit in quiet with God, gradually allowing the buzzing of other 'authorities' in our lives to quieten so we can hear the quietness of God.

A meditation written by Natalie Dennehy, a parishioner at St Augustine's, Hammersmith

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