THE FERTILE SOIL OF FAITH

Meditation for Monday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(1 Tim 2:1-8; Lk 7:1-10)

Humility is a natural quality that can be nurtured both by believers and unbelievers. However, faith in Jesus Christ supplies the extraordinary grace that can efficiently sustain and deepen humility in the believer. In today’s Mass reading, we meditate on the role humility plays in strengthening the faith of the believer.

Though faith is a supernatural gift, it grows freely and develops faster when planted in the soil of humility. Thus, humility is the humid soil in which faith grows stronger and yields a rich harvest. Think about the words of St Paul in the first reading: “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarrelling.” Such freedom of expression and gestures towards God can only come from a humble heart, who is not weighed down by pride and arrogance. Humility empties the heart for divine grace to refill. The man of faith, who prays constantly with such freedom, must be humble at heart.

 

In the gospel, Jesus praised the faith of the Centurion. This Roman army commander sent Jewish elders to implore Jesus to come and heal his servant who was at the point of death. The Jewish elders talked about the man’s kindness to them. As Jesus was getting closer to the house, this Centurion sent message to Him, saying, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore, I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.” Think about the humility of this Gentile; while the Jewish elders found him worthy, the man did not acclaim himself worthy. Also, it is great humility for such a highly placed man to take the pains to care for his servant. Here was a man with natural human heart, who did not see his position as an elevation above others. He did not use his Roman power to oppress the Jews. In addition, this Centurion believed in Jesus and in His power to heal.

 

Jesus praised the faith of this army commander, saying, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” While humility is the fertile soil from which genuine faith germinates, faith in Jesus nourishes humility and gives it an eternal value. We may not often have the strong faith we desire. Even the little faith we have can easily be choked by doubt and trials of life. But we can always nurture humility! Then, the mustard seed of faith within will continue to grow and flourish to the glory of God. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday September 18, 2023.

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