This weekend our readings are taken from Paul’s letter to the Romans and Matthew’s Gospel. Paul states at the end of Chapter 6, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Think about this! God became man in the Person of Jesus, in order to reveal to us our true nature as human beings. If, of course, we don’t believe this to be true, we cannot understand this or be disposed to experience this. This is one reason why Paul exhorts the Romans and us to believe in the Person of Jesus, the Christ. God revealed the meaning and purpose of life through the Person of Jesus.

Matthew, in relating the story of Jesus curing the Centurion’s servant, stresses the type of disposition we are called to cultivate in order to truly develop a relationship with God. The appropriate disposition is expressed both in the words of the Centurion and in the words that Jesus directed at him.
The Centurion is quoted as having made this wonderful statement: “I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will get better.” It is a statement that conveys absolute and true humility. It also is a statement that expresses complete confidence, belief and trust in Jesus.

Jesus’ response to the Centurion confirms that the disposition of genuine humility is very important if we are to have a real relationship with God. Jesus simply says, “It shall be done because you trusted.”

Real “trust” in God and “humility” are key dispositions that we must cultivate if we truly wish to spiritually grow. The cultivation of these dispositions is a real challenge. The thing that stops us from cultivating these two dispositions is, of course, self-centeredness and our desire to have life a certain way instead of accepting the life that comes to us. Why do I say this? Because if we trust in God then whatever comes to us in life is meant to help us spiritually grow and become God’s children. We may have to face things that we would rather not face but, because we trust in God, we see all of life’s challenges as truly opportunities given to us, out of love, to grow.

In order to truly trust, we must have a certain degree of humility. A proud person cannot trust anyone. Pride makes us self-centered and causes us to believe that we, and only we, know what is best for us.
Much to think about.