In the first reading today from 1 Timothy 2, St. Paul writes, “There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as ransom for all.” Many non-Catholics will use this verse to refute the priesthood and sacraments. Two quick things about that: First, we are all mediators. Every time we pray for one another, we are mediating. Second, in the sacraments, the priest is acting “in persona Christi,” Latin for “in the person of Christ.” So Christ is the true mediator of the sacraments, anyway!
In the Gospel reading from Luke 7, we see the story of the centurion who sends some Jewish friends to go and ask Jesus to save the life of one of the centurion’s servants. As Jesus is on the way, the centurion sends some friends to tell Jesus, “Lord…I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof…but say the word and let my servant be healed.” Jesus answers with, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And the servant was healed.
This is one of many examples of the link between faith and healing. The centurion knew that Jesus could heal his servant, who was on the verge of death, with just a word. He didn’t let doubt creep in. We echo the words of that centurion each time we go to Mass. Right before we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. But do we really have that kind of faith? Or have those words we say become rote and meaningless? Let us never underestimate the power of faith.
Father, you know that our faith can be so weak. Help us believe more and more that Jesus can and will heal anything, if we truly believe. Amen.
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